Xanthe Hancox

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,

for his compassions never fail.

They are new every morning;

great is your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:22-23

Thomas Obediah Chisholm was born in a log cabin in Kentucky, USA, in 1866. He received his education in a little country schoolhouse, and at age 16 began teaching there. He became a Christian at 27, and with no college or seminary training was ordained to the Methodist ministry at 36.  He served as a Methodist minister for a year, but poor health made it impossible for him to continue. He moved to New Jersey where he opened an insurance office.

Always interested in poetry, Chisholm wrote hundreds of poems during his lifetime. He was inspired by Lamentations 3:22-23 to write the text for "Great Is Thy Faithfulness." The refrain in the hymn says:

 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

Chisholm experienced that faithfulness. He suffered ill health most of his adult life, and never made much money, but he said, "God has given me many wonderful displays of his providing care which have filled me with astonishing gratefulness." He also said that although he learnt the truth of God’s care through his own experience, he realised that reading the Bible played an even more important role. Interesting, isn’t it? One of life’s greatest tools sits somewhere in our homes and we refuse to use it every day to remind us that God is with us – through it all.

If you’re feeling alone and helpless this morning, remember that God is still faithful. His word reveals this truth again and again. Open his book today and allow him to speak to you.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, through every season of my life, you do not change and your love does not fail. Thank you for your great faithfulness to me. Amen

You can listen to Great is Thy Faithfulness here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTKIqmdfHSk