"Great Is Thy Faithfulness" was written by Thomas Chisolm in the early 20th century. In reading about the song's background, it appears it was set to music by William Runyan in 1923. Sources indicate that Chisolm lived a life where he never had much, but God always provided his needs. He had constant examples of God's faithfulness in small, sustaining ways.
There are amazing and awe-inspiring stories of God's faithfulness, but I think most of us can relate to Chisolm in that we experience God's faithfulness quietly yet continuously. The time in my life when the words of this song ministered so directly to me was not a time of great drama, but in my staid little life, it felt dramatic to me. When my third child was born, I experienced a somewhat unusual complication. This complication kept me in the hospital for 10 days after her birth. I'd never experienced any illness but the run-of-the-mill winter bugs before, and it was unsettling to be hospitalized and have no diagnosis. Though my other children were in good hands, it was unnerving to have them be in someone else's care for so long. When I'd been there a full week and still was without a diagnosis or effective treatment, I could only think of Psalm 113:9, of being settled in my home as a happy mother of children. (Granted, I was hardly barren, as this was my third child in three and a half years, but I was surely anxious to be settled in my home with them.) It was a Friday, and I was growing very discouraged. Dear friends drove 45 miles in Friday rush hour DFW traffic to see me that evening. I was so glad to have them, but I was downhearted.
And then Saturday morning, the doctors announced they would treat me for the condition that was the most likely suspect even though a diagnosis wasn't confirmed. And it worked. And the fever came down. And they agreed that there was no reason I couldn't nurse my little pink sweetheart. And they found me a nurse who really was an effective consultant to help the baby get past her confusion (because putting her on a bottle would have just cut to the heart).
And all I could think, over and over, was "All I have needed Thy hand hath provided." Thank you, Lord, for providing all I have ever needed. I still tear up every time we sing that song and come to that line. I hope I always will.
Great Is Thy Faithfulness
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 has been, Thou forever wilt be.
Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon, and stars int heir courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To They great faithfulness, mercy and love.
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, and ten thousand beside.
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.
