GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS!
We are usually early risers. Many mornings I like to go on our back porch, sip my coffee and listen to the world around me wake up. This morning as I sat sipping, the song "Great is Thy Faithfulness" came to my mind. This hymn has been so ingrained in my growth and development of my faith. I sing it in my thoughts often. So, I decided to look into the origin of this song. I want to know more. Here is what I discovered.
The song was actually written in 1923 as a poem by Thomas Obediah Chisholm, a native of Franklin, Kentucky. He was influenced by Lamentations 3:22-23 which reads...
"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." (ESV)
Chisholm sent the words of his poem "Great is thy Faithfulness" to his friend William Runyan who put it into a musical setting. Runyan was a friend of Dr. Will Houghton who was the President of Moody Bible Institute. "Great is thy Faithfulness" soon became Dr. Houghton's favorite song. An unknown singer, with a deep bass voice, named George Beverly Shea was invited to sing on the Moody Bible Institute radio station. And of course he included Dr. Houghton's favorite song. Nearby, another student, who was studying at Wheaton College, became very familiar with the song. He eventually asked Mr. Shea to join him on his evangelistic crusades. It was through these Billy Graham crusades that this hymn gained much popularity.
And it is through singing this in Church growing up, and also singing this song, with Mr. Shea, at a few Billy Graham Crusades, that it became so strong in my development.
Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father
There is no shadow of turning with Thee
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be
Great is Thy faithfulness
Great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me
It was true during the Prophet Jeremiah's time, when "Lamentations" was being composed, and it is true today, Our God, Our Father, is Faithful. And just as I watched the world around me wake up, I am reminded that with each morning that comes, I get to experience the loving mercies of our Heavenly Father. And so can you.
I hope you will join us this Sunday as we look at the Spiritual Fruit of "Faithfulness". And please stay after Worship for our Potluck Luncheon. This is such a time of fun, fellowship, and delicious food. And you are personally invited to join us.
Finally, I want to congratulate Stephen Wilson, Jr. and Jo Yaeger who both have been involved this week in the CMA Fest in Nashville. And as I listened to Stephen, I got to visit with Leigh, who shared with me some of the really exciting opportunities that are developing for her. I thank God for the many talented folks in our FCC Family. Let us never grow weary of praying for and with them, asking that ultimately God be glorified in sharing their talents. And actually, that should be true for all of us. "Great is Thy Faithfulness"! And, always Remember...
You ARE Loved!
Pastor Lonnie
In 2021, Carrie Underwood and CeCe Winans performed a duet at the Ryman Auditorium of this special song. Here is the youtube link if you want to experience it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NT0HcAr9aeI
