"A Sobering Question"

 

“A Sobering Question”

 

Several weeks ago the musical package in our church’s worship service included Thomas Chisholm’s familiar hymn from 1923, “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”, which has become Karen’s and my favorite as a couple. It’s based on Lamentations 3:22-23 (KJV): “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.” (Emphasis added.) We’ve seen the impact of this passage as we think of God’s goodness to us over our 56 years together.

As I was listening to the words of this great song of praise (I had a throat problem so was unable to sing) I never realized how many additional biblical truths it contains. These include….

*”There is no shadow of turning with Thee.” (James 1:17).

*”Thou changest not….” (Malachi 3:6).

*”As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.” (Psalm 102:27).

*”Join with all nature in manifold witness….” (Psalm 19:1).

*”Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth….” (Romans 5:1).

*”Thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide.” (Matthew 28:20).

*”Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow….” (Hebrews 4:16).

*”Blessings all mine….” (Psalm 68:19).

*”All I have needed Thy hand hath provided.” (Philippians 4:19)

 

(Check the references out in the KJV as it’s the version on which the hymn is based.)

A godly man in one of the churches we served used to say, “Great truths sing well!” As we sing these great truths let’s proclaim them loudly from our hearts in praise to God.

But a sobering question came to my mind as I listened to the hymn’s familiar words: How great is my faithfulness to the One who’s been so faithful to me? My prayer is that expressed by Jon Mohr in his 1987 song (adjusted slightly to make it personal):

“O may all who come behind (me) find (me) faithful;

May the fire of (my) devotion light their way.

May the footprints that (I) leave Lead them to believe,

And the (life I) live inspire them to obey.

O may all who come behind (me) find (me) faithful.” Amen.

 

 

Grace and Blessings!

 

Jim McMillan