In response to Chloe’s playlist, I thought it would be great to tackle this enduring hymn. Obviously not an exhaustive examination on this amazing work, I merely hope these thoughts will prompt you during your quiet time this week. I suggest listening to the song first, and then sit down with your journal, taking the prompts and questions as opportunities for you to converse with the Lord.
This hymn draws heavily from Lamentations 3. I suggest reading verses 1-33 for a little background, and to set the tone of the most prevalent lines in this song.
Great is Thy faithfulness O God my Father
There is no shadow of turning with Thee
James 1:17 says “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” In a world that is constantly changing, how important is it for us to have something that is unchanging?
Thou changest not, Thy compassions they fail not
As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be
Lamentations 3:22 says “For His compassions never fail”. Not only is He unchanging, but He promises compassion on those who call on Him.
Great is Thy faithfulness great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning new mercies I see
Verse 23 then adds “They are new every morning”. What do you prefer, a good sunrise or a good sunset? Personally, I’ll take a good sunrise over a good sunset any day. Something about the darkness turning into light. Something about the newness of possibility. No matter how we stumbled the previous day, His grace is new like the morning. Ever capable of restoring us. What sins of yesterday do you need to offer to Him and repent of so that you can greet the morning free of guilt and filled with peace?
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness Lord unto me
Verse 24 says “The Lord is my portion”. As was mentioned before, James 1:17 says “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above”. The Lord is the maker of all, and all that we have comes as a gift from His hand. Take a moment to remember this fact and thank Him for the life He has blessed you with.
Summer and winter, springtime and harvest
Sun moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love
The seasons, moving from winter, a time of lower light, colder temperatures, trees stripped of leaves and fruit, to spring, a time of growing light, warming temperatures, and the hopeful buds of new life pattern the seasons of our life and show that God is a God of bringing dead things to life. Bringing life out of darkness. Hope out of despair. What season are you in right now, and how can this truth continue to encourage you?
Pardon for sin, and a peace that endureth
Enduring peace comes from knowing that our hope is secure in Christ, not in this world.
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide
John 14:26 says “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” Christ remains with us because the Holy Spirit dwells within us. Ask His Sprit to guide you.
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow
What a great truth! Write this one down and hang it up somewhere as a reminder.
Blessings all mine with ten thousand beside
Finish out your time writing down the ways that you feel God has blessed you. As your last thing, leave a blank space with a single underline. Understand that there are more blessings to come, “ten thousand beside”. So throughout this week, keep your eyes opened and your ears tuned to the Lord at work and to the unexpected blessings that He has for you.
Praying for peace for you all!
Jeremy