Great Is Thy Faithfulness

Great is Thy Faithfulness
Thomas O Chisholm

One of the most wonderful things about being a follower of Christ is the peace that attends even when life is difficult. “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”, a testament to God’s unchanging nature, was written by a man who suffered prolonged trials in life, yet chose to see God’s faithfulness through it all. This hymn, deeply rooted in Scripture, continues to inspire and bless those who sing it.

Thomas Chisholm was born in Kentucky, 1866. From a young age, Thomas was highly intelligent and ambitious. He became a school teacher at the age of sixteen and an associate editor for his hometown newspaper at the age of twenty-one. Though he achieved success in his early years, Thomas found his greatest success at the age of twenty-seven when he became a follower of Christ. From that moment on, he used his intelligence and ambition for God.

Thomas Chisholm was also a Methodist minister who had always been a lover of poetry. Now able to use that love to its fullest in glorifying God, he wanted to do even more – dedicate his life fully – so he pursued the life of a minister. Sure enough, Thomas was ordained and given a congregation of his own in Scottsville, Kentucky.

In 1903, Thomas started a family by marrying the love of his life, Catherine Vandervere. It seemed to Thomas that his path in life was now set, that he would be a minister for the remainder of his days, but the following years showed him otherwise.

Thomas experienced a decline in health during his time as a minister, and in 1909, those health issues forced him to leave his congregation. In the years that followed, financial issues arose as well from numerous hospital bills. Many people would have become bitter with God during a time of health and financial crisis, but Thomas became quite the opposite.

Yes, he was no longer a minister but now had more time to focus on writing hymns.

Yes, he had health problems but also had loving support from his wife and two daughters.

Yes, he faced financial struggles but found a job selling life insurance, allowing him to keep up with the bills.

No matter the struggle, Thomas always chose to see God’s faithfulness.

Thomas’ positive outlook on life never shifted, and in 1923, he took up pen and paper and wrote his most famous poem: Great Is Thy Faithfulness. He sent the poem to Reverend William Runyan, musician of Moody Bible Institute and editor of Hope Publishing Company in Chicago.

Runyan’s position brought in many a poem submission, but Thomas’ moved Runyan so much that Runyan quickly took to praying that God would reveal a tune worthy of the lyrics. With divine guidance, Runyan composed a beautiful tune to accompany the poem and named it FAITHFULNESS. Reflecting on this creative process, Runyan later wrote, “This particular poem held such an appeal that I prayed most earnestly that my tune might carry over its message in a worthy way, and the subsequent history of its use indicates that God answered prayer.”

Once Runyan found the tune, “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” as a hymn was born. It was an instant favorite amongst Moody Bible Institute staff and students, quickly becoming the college’s unofficial hymn.

Past the college, the hymn took a bit longer to reach great heights, that is until a certain man by the name of Billy Graham heard it and began using it in his crusades during the 1950’s. What began as a simple poem from a simple man was suddenly reaching the ears of millions, and has continued to do so each year since.

During the rest of his life, Chisholm spent many years residing in New Jersey, working as a life insurance agent to support himself and his family. Despite having an office job, he continued to express his love for God through poetry and wrote nearly 1,200 poems throughout his life. Many of these poems became published hymns that have further spread the message of God’s faithfulness.

“It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23 KJV

Blessings,
Dorene

Source: https://www.hymncharts.com/2022/08/15/the-story-behind-great-is-thy-faithfulness/