Last week as I helped prepare songs for our evening praise and worship time I noticed something interesting about the lyrics of My God and I.

First, let me say I have been blessed by this song through the years. I remember singing My God and I when in chapel at Memphis Harding Academy back in the early seventies. What a beautiful picture of fellowship and intimacy with God. Walking. Talking. Clasping hands. Voices ringing with laughter.

But last week I noticed that at some point the lyrics had been changed. Remember that line: “My God and I will go for aye together, we’ll walk and talk as good friends should and do.” The original (as I understand it) words were these: “My God and I will go for aye together, we’ll walk and talk and jest as good friends do.”

Jest. Jesting with God — being playful, amusing, or frolicing. That word just takes this friendship with God concept to a whole new level. What a blessing: to be God’s friend!

• Before their sin Adam and Eve enjoyed walking with God in the garden (Genesis 3:8-10).
• Moses and God would speak face to face, like friends (Exodus 33:12)
• 3 times Abraham is called God’s friend (2 Chronicles 20:7; Isaiah 41:8; James 2:23)

Through the years I have learned that My God and I does more than paint a sweet picture of fellowship. It accurately portrays what life in Jesus, walking with God, is really like. The bond. The closeness. The friendship. The security.

“This earth will pass, and with it common trifles, but God and I will go unendingly.”