Connecting During DeploymentSample

"Jesus Loves Me”

Psalm 62 begins, “My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will never be shaken” (verses 1-2, NIV). Is there any greater truth to refresh your heart during deployment?

But at the end of Psalm 62 there are two equally powerful definitives—God is strong and God is loving. 

Does that remind you of a song we all know and love . . . “Jesus Loves Me”?

Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so. Little ones to Him belong; they are weak but He is strong. Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so.

The woman who wrote the lyrics to “Jesus Loves Me” was Anna B. Warner, who lived in the state of New York from 1827-1915. Anna and her sister, Susan, began writing to earn money after their father lost his fortune in the depression of 1837. Anna penned the words to “Jesus Loves Me” as part of a novel, Say and Seal, written by Susan in 1860.

Further research reveals that Anna and Susan led Bible studies with cadets at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in the mid-1800s. The sisters were so respected by the Academy that they are buried in the West Point cemetery. 

So the writer of “Jesus Loves Me” taught Bible studies with military cadets as they were preparing to be leaders of men in the Civil War! No doubt she taught them the two things she knew from Psalm 62—that God is strong, and that He is loving. The Bible tells me so! That is solid truth to carry with you into the turmoil of daily battles.

1. Share with each other how God has been your strength during this deployment.

2. How has He demonstrated that He loves you during this time of wartime separation?

Learn more about relying on God in “Walking With God in Your Marriage.”