“His compassions fail not.
They are new every morning:
Great is thy faithfulness.”
–Lamentations 3:22-23 KJV
Thomas read the familiar words from his worn Bible.
Oh Father, he prayed. You have been generously compassionate to me all fifty-seven years of my life– through trial and disappointment, joys and sorrows.
Thomas allowed his thoughts to take him back in time, first to his boyhood home, a log cabin on a small farm in Franklin, Kentucky, where he and his older brother helped their father in the fields and attended a small country school. Neither boy received an education beyond the elementary level.
(Typical log cabin school,
this one in the Hensley Settlement of Kentucky)
Yet, in 1882 when Thomas was only sixteen, the school board hired him as the new teacher.
Imagine me—just a kid myself—a school teacher, thought Thomas.
He smiled, remembering his favorite part of the school day: reading stories and poems to his students, enriching all of their lives, his included. Thomas puttered at writing poetry himself—an avocation he would enjoy the rest of his life.
Six years later, Thomas’ proficiency with language led to the position of associate editor of his hometown newspaper.
(Thomas Obadiah Chisholm)
I enjoyed that work and being a contributing member of the community. But you and I both know, Lord, 1893 was when I really began living.
That was the year, at age twenty-seven, Thomas accepted Jesus into his life, through the ministry of Henry Clay Morrison, the founder of Asbury College and Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky.
(Henry Clay Morrison)
Again, Thomas smiled, remembering the day when Dr. Morrison came to him with a surprising proposition: become the editor for his publication, The Pentecostal Herald. Thomas’ mind reeled at the idea of leaving his country community and living in the noise and crowds of Louisville, but in his heart Thomas felt led by God to accept Morrison’s offer.
I thought for sure I would spend the rest of my life in Louisville, but you, Lord, had other plans.
(Louisville, KY, ca 1900)
As Thomas worked at The Pentecostal Herald, he felt drawn to the pastorate. In 1903, at age thirty-seven, he was appointed to a small church in Scottsville, Kentucky. Thomas not only transitioned into parish life but married life as well, taking Catherine Vandervere as his wife.
I remember thinking, Well, God, you’ve finally planted me in the work you’ve prepared me to do.
But one year later ill-health demanded Thomas give up the ministry.
Catherine and I were heartbroken, weren’t we, Lord. No sooner had we settled into the Scottsville ministry, than it was over. But you, O God, provided that little farm in Winona Lake, Indiana, and employment with an insurance agency. And just as the scripture says here in Lamentations, your compassions failed not. The Christian community of Winona Lake warmly welcomed us, and you blessed us with the births of our girls, Ruth and Dorothy.
Then, twelve years later in 1916, God once again led the family to move—this time to New Jersey, where another position with an insurance agency awaited. Very quickly seven more years passed, and now Thomas was fifty-seven years old.
From Kentucky to Indiana to New Jersey you have cared for us, Lord.
Thank you for your great faithfulness, O God, my Father. Never have you forsaken or failed us. Day after day by your hand, everything we have needed you have provided.
And Thomas began to write:
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.
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!
________________________________
In his later years, Thomas sometimes described himself as an old shoe. But look what God did:
Shortly after Thomas wrote “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” (in October, 1922), he sent a collection of his poems to his good friend, William Runyan, who worked for a Christian music publisher. William was also associated with Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. This poem in particular caught his attention and William prayerfully sought to compose a worthy melody.
(William H. Runyan)
The resulting hymn became a favorite of Dr. Houghton, president of Moody Bible Institute. When he asked a young soloist, George Beverly Shea, to sing a selection of hymns on the Moody radio station. George included Dr. Houghton’s favorite, “Great Is Thy Faithfulness.”
Some years later, the great evangelist, Billy Graham, invited George to join his ministry. In city after city, Billy preached and George Beverly Shea sang, frequently choosing Thomas Chisholm’s hymn.
It quickly grew in popularity. To this day, “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” is a favorite hymn of many. (Hear Chris Rice sing it by clicking here.)
All told, Thomas wrote over 1200 poems over his lifetime, 800 of which were published—poems written by a man with only an elementary education. Among them were more beloved hymns such as “I Want to Be Like Jesus,” “O to Be like Thee!” and “Living for Jesus.”
(Thomas Obadiah Chisholm, 1866-1960)
His story proves: God can do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20)—even with an old shoe.
(Sources: www.sharefaith.com; www.umcdiscipleship.org; www.lifeway.com; www.sermonwriter.com; www.worshipmatters.com; www.zianet.com.)
(Art & photo credits: www.flickr.com; http://www.wikipedia.org; http://www.hymnary.org; http://www.hymtime.com; http://www.oldlouisville.com; http://www.digging-history.com; http://www.hippostcard.com; http://www.cyberhymnal.org; Nancy Ruegg; hymntime.com.)
