The Mercies of God

Words: Thomas Obediah Chisholm (b. July 29, 1866; d. Feb. 29, 1960)
Music: Jesse B. Thomas (no information available)

Note: The two links will tell you more about Mr. Chisholm–and yes, he died on February 29th.

This hymn is not well known, and I could find no information on the composer of the music. However, the story behind it is so remarkable that I wanted to share it. A fuller account is given in Al Smith’s book Hymn Histories (pages 136-139)-–a book I recommend.

(Stanza numbers in brackets below refer to the stanza number in The Cyber Hymnal. Find the link at the bottom of the article.)

The old man awoke to face another weary day. His wife had been seriously ill for a long time, and it was time to give her her medicine. But the bottle was empty, and he had no money for more. Thinking perhaps a little breakfast would lift her spirits, he returned to the kitchen. But the ice box was almost as empty as the pill bottle, and even buying groceries seemed beyond their means. Not only that, their rent was due that day.

A pretty bleak picture. But God knew the need even before they did. Nothing takes the Lord by surprise. He says, “I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done” (Isa. 46:9-10). And “known to God from eternity are all His works” (Acts 15:18).

That is why He is able to work through our circumstances, providing in advance for our needs to be met when the time comes. The word for that is God’s providence, meaning His before-seeing. It is the divine attribute behind Romans 8:28, “We know that all things work together for good [or, He works all things together for good] to those who love God, and to those who are called according to His purpose.”

Tom certainly believed that. He and his wife had come through many difficult times, though on this day in 1935 things seemed worse than usual. But see how the Lord was working!

Two days before, two men were attending to some necessary record-keeping for the Gideons Bible distribution ministry. They were going over the membership list for New Jersey. The policy was to remove anyone who had been contacted twice, but failed to send in the registration fee–five dollars in those days.

But just as Mr. Stam was about to cross off T. O. Chisholm, his friend said, “Jake, don’t you know who that man is? Why, he’s the fellow that wrote Great Is Thy Faithfulness.” Saying that was his favourite hymn, Stam responded, “That sure is worth five dollars–I’ll pay the brother’s dues.”

However that was not to be the end of it. That night Stam had trouble sleeping. Tom Chisholm kept coming to his mind. Believing there might be a need there, he decided to send him a gift in the morning. Then the ringing of the phone at six roused him. It was his friend from the evening before. He had had the same experience in the night. Seeing this as the leading of the Lord, both men wrote cheques, mailing them off with a note.

The next day–the day the burden of the Chisholm’s meagre finances struck with full force, he got that letter. At first, his heart sank to see the return address on the envelope, Jacob Stam, Attorney at Law! He thought, “All the trouble I’m in, and now an attorney is after me!”

But when he tore open the envelope he read, “Dear Brother, we have never met you, but we love you in the Lord. Thank you so much for Great Is Thy Faithfulness. Enclosed is a little something the Lord told us to send you.” Mr. Chisholm was astonished to see that the “little something” covered not only the month’s rent, and the cost of his wife’s medicine, but provided enough to restock the pantry.

It was at the suggestion of his wife that the hymn writer penned The Mercies of God, in celebration of God’s amazing provision. Truly, “Great are Your tender mercies, O Lord!” (Ps. 119:156).

(1) The mercies of God! What a theme for my song,
Oh! I never could number them o’er;
They’re more than the stars in the heavenly dome,
Or the sands of the wave beaten shore.

For mercies so great, what return can I make–
For mercies so constant and sure?
I’ll love Him, I’ll serve Him with all that I have
As long as my life shall endure.

(3) His angels of mercy encompass me ‘round,
Wheresoever my pathway may lead;
Each turn of the road some new token reveals–
Oh! For me life is blesséd indeed.

Questions:

1. What example of God’s tender mercies did you experience in the last couple of weeks?
2. Is there someone the Lord has brought to your mind that you could be God’s agent in blessing or encouraging (perhaps even anonymously)?

Links:

• 29 February 1960 – Thomas Chisholm Died
• Thomas Obediah Chisholm (The Cyber Hymnal)