Faithful

Great is Thy Faithfulness
BY BETHANY

Daily ReadingMalachi 4 (Listen – 1:19)John 21 (Listen – 4:10)

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;his mercies never come to an end;they are new every morning;great is your faithfulness.

— Lamentations 3.22-23

Thomas Chisholm was born in Franklin, Kentucky, on July 29, 1866. He grew up in a log cabin and, at 16 years old, became a teacher. When he was 27, he had a conversion experience during a revival led by Dr. Henry Clay Morrison.

Chisholm ended up becoming a Methodist minister for a year before resigning because of his poor health. Over his lifetime, he wrote 1,200 poems, which appeared in many Christian periodicals. He also served as an editor of the Pentecostal Herald in Louisville for a short time. In 1909, he began his career as a life insurance agent in New Jersey.

In 1923, when he was 57 years old, Chisholm wrote “Great Is Thy Faithfulness.” He submitted it to William Runyon, who was a composer affiliated with the Moody Bible Institute. Runyon set the poem to music and Hope Publishing Company published it the same year in which it was written.

On this last day of the year, may we look back and remember the faithfulness of the Lord so that, as we look forward to the mystery and unknown future of 2015, we trust in the One who has proven Himself faithful already. For “The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price … He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!” [1]

[1] Revelation 217, 20-21 ESV

Great is Thy Faithfulness (Listen: Harding University Concert Choir – 1:35)

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 wilt be.

Refrain: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!

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above;
Join with all nature in manifold witness,
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love.

Refrain

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thine own great presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today, and bright hope for tomorrow
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside.

Refrain