Open Heavens HYMN 11: I’VE FOUND A FRIEND IN JESUS

This is hymn 11 of the Open Heavens daily devotion written by Pastor E. A. Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).

Hymn 11: I’VE FOUND A FRIEND IN JESUS

1. l’ve found a friend in Jesus,
He’s everything to me,
He’s the fairest of ten thousand to my soul;
The Lily of the valley, in Him alone I see
All I need to cleanse and make me fullywhole.
In sorrow He’s my comfort, in trouble He’s my stay,
He tells me every care on Him to roll:
(Halleluyah)

Chorus:

He’s the Lily of the Valley,
the Bright and Morning Star,
He’s the fairest of ten thousand to my soul.

2. He all my griefs has taken, and all my sorrows borne;
In temptation He’s my strong and mighty tower;
I’ve all for Him forsaken, and allmy idols torn
From my heart, and now He keeps me by His power.
Though all the world forsake me, and Satan tempt me sore,
Through Jesus I shall safely reach the goal:
(Halleluyah)

3. He’ll never, never leave me, nor yet forsake me here,
While I live by faith and do His blessed will;
A wall of fire about me, I’ve nothing now to fear,
With His manna He my hungry soul shall fill.
Then sweeping up to glory to see His blessed face,
Where rivers of delight shall ever roll:
(Halleluyah)

I’VE FOUND A FRIEND IN JESUS HYMN COMMENTARY

Beloved in Christ, the hymn before us today, “I’ve Found a Friend in Jesus,” speaks to the deepest longing of the human heart—the longing for true, faithful, and enduring companionship. It moves the glorious truths of Christ’s Lordship and sacrifice into the intimate sphere of personal relationship. This hymn is the joyful discovery that the King of Kings is also the Friend of sinners, a companion closer than a brother, and a treasure that satisfies the soul completely.

Why Sing This Hymn

We sing this hymn to celebrate the relational heart of the Gospel. It strengthens us against loneliness, betrayal, and fear by reminding us that we have been invited into an everlasting friendship with the Son of God. It is a song of personal testimony, comfort, and triumphant security.

1. It is a Hymn of Personal Discovery and Complete Sufficiency (Verse 1)
The opening line is a testimony of joyful encounter: “I’ve found a friend in Jesus.” This is not a doctrine inherited, but a relationship entered. He is not just a friend, but “everything to me.” The verse uses beautiful biblical imagery to describe His surpassing worth: He is the “fairest of ten thousand” (Song of Solomon 5:10) and the “Lily of the valley,” symbolizing purity, beauty, and fragrance. In Him alone, we find the double cure: He cleanses us from sin and makes us fully whole. He is a friend who invites us to transfer every burden: “He tells me every care on Him to roll” (Psalm 55:22, 1 Peter 5:7).

2. It is a Hymn of Substitution and Sustaining Power (Verse 2)
This friendship is rooted in His sacrificial action. He is not a passive sympathizer; He is a sin-bearing substitute: “He all my griefs has taken, and all my sorrows borne” (Isaiah 53:4). He is also our defender: “in temptation He’s my strong and mighty tower” (Proverbs 18:10). This friendship demands and enables a whole-hearted response: “I’ve all for Him forsaken, and all my idols torn.”The relationship is reciprocal—we forsake all to cling to Him, and He, in turn, “keeps me by His power.” Even when utterly alone or fiercely tempted, this Friend ensures our safe arrival: “Through Jesus I shall safely reach the goal.”

3. It is a Hymn of Unbreakable Promise and Future Glory (Verse 3)
The hymn grounds our present security in God’s faithful promise: “He’ll never, never leave me, nor yet forsake me here” (Hebrews 13:5). Our part is to “live by faith and do His blessed will,” and His part is to be our protection and provision. He is a “wall of fire” around us (Zechariah 2:5) and the provider of “manna” for our daily spiritual hunger. This faithful friendship has a glorious destination: it sweeps us up “to glory to see His blessed face,” where we will enjoy eternal “rivers of delight” in His presence (Psalm 36:8). The earthly friendship blossoms into the eternal fellowship of heaven.

The Chorus: The Heart’s Adoring Refrain
The chorus is a threefold declaration of His supreme beauty and our soul’s satisfaction. He is the tender “Lily of the Valley,” the guiding “Bright and Morning Star” (Revelation 22:16), and the incomparable “fairest of ten thousand.” To sing this is to declare that no earthly attraction can rival the beauty of our Friend and Savior.

A Word for Your Spirit Today

Have you felt the sting of loneliness, the pain of betrayal, or the weight of carrying your cares alone? This hymn is your invitation. You are not without a friend. Jesus offers you a friendship that took your griefs, bears your burdens, and promises His permanent presence.

Roll your cares onto Him today. Speak to Him as your closest confidant. Find in Him your comfort, your strength, and your cleansing. Let the idols of self-reliance, people-pleasing, or worldly comfort be torn from your heart to make room for Him alone.

Rejoice! You have a Friend who sticks closer than a brother, a Friend who loved you to the death, a Friend who will walk with you through this life and welcome you with joy into the next. Hallelujah!

In the precious name of Jesus, our faithful Friend and Savior, Amen.