I’ll Stand by You

Friday was the annual BBC Children in Need appeal. There was the three hour TV live show of music, celebrities and comedy; by the end of the evening over £39m had been raised for ‘Children in Need’

The Children in Need single this year was the Girls Aloud cover of ‘I’ll Stand by You’.

Oh, why you look so sad?
Tears are in your eyes
Come on and come to me, now
Don’t be ashamed to cry
Let me see you through
‘Cause I’ve seen the dark side too

When the night falls on you
You don’t know what to do
Nothing you confess
Could make me love you less
I’ll stand by you

I’ll stand by you
Won’t let nobody hurt you
I’ll stand by you

Through the programme we saw many examples of children who are experiencing huge problems, and their loving parents, brothers and sisters saying, ‘I’ll stand by you’. There were organisations run by exceptionally supportive, compassionate people who said to those ‘children in need’ I’ll stand by you’. They haven’t just said it. Their actions have demonstrated it.

The song itself was dedicated to Girls Aloud to Sarah Harding, a much loved member of Girls Aloud who died of cancer three years ago. The girls’ ‘I’ll stand by you’ continues.

So, if you’re mad, get mad
Don’t hold it all inside
Come on and talk to me, now
Hey, what you got to hide?
I get angry too

When you’re standing at the crossroads
And don’t know which path to choose
Let me come along
‘Cause even if you’re wrong
I’ll stand by you

I’ll stand by you
Won’t let nobody hurt you
I’ll stand by you

The unconditional loyalty of ‘I’ll stand by you’ is a reminder and challenge to all of us. It’s protective, persistent, consistent, compassionate, forgiving….

Last week on Remembrance Sunday we remembered Jesus’ standard for loving loyalty: ‘Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.’ It’s the extreme sacrificial love and loyalty of family, friends and Jesus.

St Paul spoke of a loyal love that ‘always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.’ In my prayers today I’m remembering particular friends for whom my prayerful promise is, ‘I’ll stand by you’:

Take me into your darkest hour
And I’ll never desert you
I’ll stand by you.

And when the night falls on you,
You’re feeling all alone
You won’t be on your own
I’ll stand by you.