Ruth Caye Jones Grave

Hymn History: In Times Like These & Author: Ruth Naomi Caye Jones

“She is said to have tears come to her eyes when she watched George Beverly Shea sing her song on a Billy Graham telecast. She said: ‘I can’t believe I had any part in writing this song. I just feel that God gave it to me, and I gave it to the world.’”
(Diana Leagh Matthews)

The Origin of the Hymn “In Times Like These”

Few hymns have spoken more directly to the uncertainty and anxiety of difficult days than “In Times Like These.” Written during the dark years of World War II, this heartfelt song became a message of hope and steadfast faith for countless believers. Its author, Ruth Caye Jones, was not a professional hymnwriter but a humble pastor’s wife from Pennsylvania whose heart was moved by the fear and turmoil of her time. Out of that burden came a hymn that continues to strengthen Christians in every generation with its assurance: “This Rock is Jesus—Yes, He’s the One!”

A Time of Global Fear

The early 1940s were years of deep uncertainty. The world was at war, and the headlines were filled with reports of loss, destruction, and sorrow. In America, families were sending their sons and husbands overseas; at home, citizens were urged to conserve, to pray, and to hold fast to their faith. Many wondered what the future held—both for their nation and for their souls.

It was in this setting that Ruth Caye Jones found herself burdened by the weight of it all. She was a mother of five, married to the Reverend Bert Jones, who pastored the First Evangelical Church in Erie, Pennsylvania. Like many Americans, she read the daily news and felt the world’s fear pressing upon her spirit. But rather than give in to despair, she turned to Scripture for comfort and stability.

The Birth of a Hymn

One day in 1943, Ruth was reading from 2 Timothy 3, where the Apostle Paul describes “perilous times” that will come in the last days. As she read those words, she looked around at her own world—filled with war, moral decline, and uncertainty—and realized how truly fitting they were. In that moment, a phrase stirred in her heart: “In times like these.”

She felt the Holy Spirit prompting her to write. Without delay, she went to her kitchen and began jotting down words on a pad of paper. The lines flowed almost effortlessly, as though dictated by divine inspiration:

In times like these you need a Savior,
In times like these you need an anchor;
Be very sure, be very sure,
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!

As she continued, she wrote the triumphant refrain:

This Rock is Jesus, Yes, He’s the One!
This Rock is Jesus, the only One!
Be very sure, be very sure,
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!

When she finished, she knew she had written something special—not a grand poem or a polished piece of literature, but a sincere prayer for faith in dark days. Later, she composed the melody herself, despite having no formal musical training. The simple tune perfectly matched the song’s message of quiet strength and assurance.

A Song from a Kitchen Table to the World

For some time, the song remained known only within her local church community. But it soon began to spread beyond Erie. Someone shared the hymn with George Beverly Shea, the famous gospel singer who frequently performed with evangelist Billy Graham. Shea immediately recognized the power and sincerity of the words, and he began to include “In Times Like These” in his ministry.

From that point forward, the hymn traveled across the nation and beyond. Its message resonated deeply with people enduring the hardships of war, depression, and personal loss. In an age of fear, it offered faith. In an age of uncertainty, it pointed to the unshakable foundation of Jesus Christ.

The hymn was later included in numerous hymnals and recorded by many gospel artists, including Mahalia Jackson, Sandi Patty, and The Gaither Vocal Band. It became especially popular during the mid-20th century and remains beloved today for its simple, unwavering confidence in God’s faithfulness.

Ruth Caye Jones’ Legacy

Ruth Jones continued to serve faithfully alongside her husband in pastoral ministry for many years. Though she never sought fame or fortune, her one hymn left a deep and lasting mark on Christian music. She once said she never imagined that something written “in the quiet of my kitchen” would find its way into churches and hearts around the world.

Ruth’s words remind believers that hymns are not always born in cathedrals or concert halls—they often arise from ordinary homes, in the midst of real struggles, where faith meets fear and chooses trust. Her song was not a theological treatise, but a simple testimony of confidence: Christ alone is the believer’s Rock, unshaken by the storms of history or the trials of life.

A Message for Every Generation

Though “In Times Like These” was written more than eighty years ago, its message is as relevant as ever. Each generation faces its own “perilous times”—whether through war, economic uncertainty, cultural unrest, or personal loss. Yet the hymn continues to speak peace to anxious hearts, reminding them that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

When Ruth Jones wrote those words in 1943, she could not have known how many lives they would touch. But her hymn stands as a timeless declaration of faith amid fear, a reminder that even in the darkest days, believers have an anchor that holds fast.

In times like these, you need a Savior;
In times like these, you need an anchor.

Those words, written by a pastor’s wife in her kitchen during a world at war, still call us back to the one truth that never changes—

“This Rock is Jesus—Yes, He’s the One!”