Great Is Thy Faithfulness: The Thomas Chisolm Story

One of the important lessons the children of Israel had to learn during their wilderness journey was that God's provision of manna for them was on a morning by morning basis. They could not survive on old manna nor could it be stored for future use. (Exodus 16:19-21)

The lesson inherent in this hymn is not only limited to the wordings but to the writer of the hymn. Though he was pressed about with difficulties prominent of which was failing health,yet he still judged God faithful(Heb 11:11)

While many enduring hymns are born out of a particular dramatic experience,this was simply the result of the author's "morning by morning" realization of God's personal faithfulness in his daily life. Shortly before his death in 1960, Thomas Chisolm wrote:

"My income has never been large at any time due to I.mpaired health in the earlier years which has followed me on until now. But I must not fail to record here the unfailing faithfulness of a covenant keeping God and that He has given me many wonderful displays of His providing care which have filled me with astonishing gratefulness."

We must live with this spirit of grateful praise all the days of our lives. Paul admonished us to give thanks "in" all things and not "for" all things. God's grace is sufficient as we do that. Shalom!


Written by Ayomide Olatunji