Here is the story behind the classic hymn “No One Ever Cared for Me Like Jesus.”
In November of 1871, a son was born to a German baker and his wife in Lafayette, Indiana. Charles Weigle grew up in a devout Methodist home. However, he had a violent temper and often got into fights with other boys.
One night, he attended a revival meeting at his church. The Holy Spirit worked in his heart, pointing out his sin and need for Christ. He later wrote, “There seemed to be no hope for me. My sins towered up before me. Then Jesus came and quieted my fears. He paid the penalty for all my sins and guilt…When this great truth dawned upon my mind, my heart was filled with gratitude and praise. There came a great love into my heart for my Saviour.”
From that moment on, Charles grew to love Jesus more and more. He was hungry for the Word of God. As he grew spiritually, people noticed a remarkable change in his actions and attitude. He gave up fighting and learned to live a holy life.
When he grew up, Charles became an evangelist, preaching, singing, and writing hymns. He also married and had a daughter. However, his marriage was in serious trouble. One night at a revival meeting, Charles received bad news from home. He fell on his face in anguished prayer. A fellow preacher, H. C. Morrison, came alongside him to pray.
After they rose from their knees, Morrison put his arm around Charles’ trembling shoulder.
He said, “Charlie, you may not think you can bear this, but you will, for time is a great healer; and Jesus will bring you through.”
These words buoyed Charles up and gave him strength to continue.
Only a few months later, his wife told him, “I’m leaving, Charlie. I don’t want to live the life you are living. I want to go the other way—to the bright lights.” Charles had to put his wife and only daughter on a train to California and bid them farewell. In his hour of sorrow, he depended on God’s grace as never before. The love of Jesus carried him through deep waters of grief.
About five years later, he began to write songs again. One night, he sat at the piano, thinking of how God had carried him through those dark days. Suddenly, the words came to his heart, “No one ever cared for me like Jesus.” For the next thirty minutes, God helped him to write this hymn. The verses came easily, as if he had known them all his life. Within a week, he sent it to the publishers.
Soon, Charles attended an evangelistic conference in Indianapolis. On the final night, the song leader asked him to sing an impromptu solo. Charles rose and sang the song born out of his heartache. Many of the audience were in tears by the time he finished.
Since then, this song has been published in thirty different languages across the globe. Though Charles Weigle has gone on to glory, his poignant words continue to point people to his greatest Friend.
I would love to tell you what I think of Jesus
Since I found in Him a friend so strong and true;
I would tell you how He changed my life completely –
He did something that no other friend could do.
Chorus:
No one ever cared for me like Jesus;
There’s no other friend so kind as He;
No one else could take the sin and darkness from me –
O how much He cared for me!
All my life was full of sin when Jesus found me;
All my heart was full of misery and woe;
Jesus placed His strong and loving arms around me,
And He led me in the way I ought to go.
Every day He comes to me with new assurance,
More and more I understand His words of love;
But I’ll never know just why He came to save me,
Till some day I see His blessed face above.
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