Philippians 4:19 – And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. (NIV)
One spring morning as the term at Bible College was ending, I was feeling apprehensive about the summer because I didn't know what God wanted me to do. I needed to find a way to earn some money so I could return to school in the fall. My mother had always taught me that God would provide, but with no prospect of a job, I was finding it hard to trust Him.
That morning the closing hymn at chapel was "God Will Take Care of You." Tears came to my eyes as I sang the words. It brought great comfort to my heart and renewed my faith in God's care and provision. God did provide for me that summer, and a few years later I graduated and went on to serve the Lord.
The background of this hymn is interesting. Civilla was the wife of evangelist W. Stillman Martin and often travelled with him. On a trip in 1904, Civilla became very ill and was confined to her bed. She seemed especially weak one evening, and her husband considered cancelling his preaching engagement to remain home with her.
As they discussed the situation, their young son quietly entered the room and stood listening. Suddenly he said, "Father, don't you think that if God wants you to preach today, He will take care of mother while you are away?" The boy's childlike faith gave Dr. Martin the encouragement he needed to keep his preaching commitment.
Several people made professions of faith that night, and Dr. Martin hurried home to share the good news with his wife and son. He found that his wife had improved remarkably and had also had the energy and inspiration to write a hymn text based on the words their son had spoken to them earlier in the day.
She had entitled the text "God Will Take Care of You" and she handed it to her husband with a smile as he asked how she was feeling. Stillman took the sheet with the verses on it and went to the small portable organ in the house where they were staying. Soon he had composed a lovely melody to accompany the poem his wife had written.
In this case, the son caught the attitude of his parents and reflected it back to them. As a result, a wonderful hymn was born. Even if we are not parents, we can influence others to trust God to provide for them.
Prayer: Father, we thank you for your love and your promises to care for us. Take away all worry from our hearts. May we live with such full confidence in You that others will be moved to trust you also. Amen.
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