I love both singing the hymns as well as the stories behind them, and had always believed ,” Be Thou My Vision” an 8th century hymn attributed to Saint Patrick to be the oldest. So this even more ancient song, released by Keith and Kristyn Getty with J.J. Heller took me quite by surprise. Dating from the 5th century this is stunning both in its words as well as the old French melody that is paired with them. Though they share this as part of a Christmas collection, I am not sure that was the original intent of the author. I am simply in awe to think that these poignant lyrics have come down to us from 16 centuries past. I pray you will be blessed to take a few quiet moments to listen, this Sunday.
Hymns
Like a River Glorious
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. Matthew 13:45-46 KJV
When Francis Havergal wrote these lines, they were not a hymn, but a poem, which she composed most likely during her time of severe illness. The melody we sing was composed two years later by James Mountain. Her lines, “Every joy or trial, falleth from above.” were an expression of her entire confidence, that whatever the outcome of her illness would be, that her life was fully in the hands of God. God Himself, is that merchant in today’s verse. He searched for and found us, then He went and sold all that he had to purchase us with the precious blood of Jesus Christ. Now, Jesus gives this peace with God as the Pearl of Great Price to “Those who trust Him wholly and find Him wholly true.” I pray that you will be blessed as you consider the words, no matter your circumstances. May you each have a blessed Thanksgiving tomorrow and rest in God’s peace that was purchased for us with such a great price.
Like a river glorious is God’s perfect peace
Over all victorious in its bright increase
Perfect yet it floweth fuller every day
Perfect yet it growth deeper all the way
Stayed upon Jehovah
Hearts are fully blest
Finding as He promised
Perfect peace and rest
Hidden in the hollow of His blessed hand
Never foe can follow - Never traitor stand
Not a surge of worry - Not a shade of care
Not a blast of hurry touch the Spirit there
Every joy or trial falleth from above
Traced upon our dial by the sun of love
We who trust Him fully all for us to do
They who trust Him fully find Him fully true
Francis Havergal lyrics - 1874
- James Mountain music
Great is Thy Faithfulness
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” Lamentations 3:22-24 ESV
I love singing “Great is Thy Faithfulness”, when I sense the peace and contentment of God’s care at Thanksgiving, Yet, both the writer of Lamentations as well as Thomas Chisolm, the hymn writer, were going through difficulties and trials when they wrote these words. They remind us that if rejoicing in God’s faithfulness, has to wait for everything be going right, then we would be an ungrateful people much of the time. But today’s verse and the hymn, “Great is Thy Faithfulness”, draw their power from the triumph of God’s grace when everything is going wrong. While composing these lyrics, Thomas Chisolm suffered from such ill health that he was forced to leave the pastoral ministry, and he wrote the lyrics as a poem, reflecting his trust in God in spite of his problems. Later, he sent his friend William Runyan, the poem and Runyan when on to write the melody we sing today. In the Bible, the prophet Jeremiah tells us of God’s great faithfulness and love after his nation had been conquered, Jerusalem lay in ruins, and Solomon’s temple had been robbed of its treasures. With nothing left to show for the centuries of Israel’s glory, power and success, Jeremiah finds the steadfast love and mercy of God are an unshakeable hope that is new every morning. So, whatever you are facing this Thanksgiving, allow God to gently remind you that His mercies never fail, they are new every morning, because His faithfulness and love will never come to an end!
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