Hymns With A Message: GOD WILL TAKE CARE OF YOU (TH/PEACE #7)

Sunday, May 10, 2020

GOD WILL TAKE CARE OF YOU (TH/PEACE #7)

Are you feeling the pressure of the events and changes all around us? Do you have anxiety about the future? Are you worried about your health and that of your family and friends? Do you wonder how you will get along if you are unemployed or if your retirement is wiped out with the hits the economy has taken?

Well if you are, you are not alone. We are all facing days of difficulty and concern. These are days when many are worrying about our circumstances and our future and we feel all alone. Nobody seems to care about us.

It's at times like this when we need to be reminded that somebody does care and that God will take care of His children, no matter what may be the test or challenge or how hopeless things seem to be. He is the only one who knows our present and our tomorrows. He will never leave us even when those closest to us seem to.

This week's popular hymn of spiritual encouragement was written in 1904, by Rev. and Mrs. Stillman Martin. It was composed while the Martins were spending several weeks as guests at the Practical Bible Training School at Lestershire, New York. Rev. Martin was involved in helping the president of the school, John A. Davis, prepare a songbook.

Martin, a well-known Baptist evangelist, was invited to preach at a church some distance from the Bible school. That Sunday morning, Mrs. Martin became suddenly ill, making it impossible for her to accompany her husband to his preaching engagement. Mr. Martin seriously considered canceling his speaking assignment, since he would need to be gone from her for a considerable time. Just then, however, their young son spoke up and said, "Father, don't you think that if God wants you to preach today, He will take care of mother while you are away?" Agreeing, Martin kept his preaching appointment The service proved to be unusually blessed of God, with several people professing Christ as Savior as a result of the sermon.

Returning later that evening, Martin found his wife greatly improved in health. And, while he was gone, she had been busily engaged in preparing a new hymn text, inspired by the chance remark of their young son earlier that day. That same evening, Stillman Martin composed the music for his wife's words just as they are still sung today.

The next year, this hymn appeared in a collection, Songs of Redemption and Praise, compiled for the school by Martin and President John Davis. "God Will Take Care of You" soon became a favorite hymn of Christian people everywhere.

May this great hymn encourage you this week. Remember there is no problem, even Covid 19, that is too big for Him to handle. There is nothing too new for Him to solve. And He will be there to care for you and protect you even in the darkest hour. Trust Him.

(1) Be not dismayed whate'er betide,

God will take care of you;

beneath His wings of love abide,

God will take care of you.

God will take care of you,

through every day, o'er all the way;

He will take care of you,

God will take care of you.

(2) Through days of toil when heart doth fail,

God will take care of you;

when dangers fierce your path assail,

God will take care of you.