Hymn Story ~ God Will Take Care of You

Around the year 1904, a woman named Civilla D. Martin was at home confined to bed due to illness.While her husband was away one day preaching, she wrote the hymn God Will Take Care of You. When he returned home, she gave the words to him. He sat down at his organ and wrote the music. 

I’m sure this hymn has impacted many lives, and to this day still does, including my own. One man in particular, about 25 years or so after this was written (1930), was hospitalized with a severe care of shingles.  Prior business deals had failed, he was in physical pain as well as emotional pain, filled with despair and little hope. One morning while in his hospital bed, he heard this hymn coming from the hospital chapel.  

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, over all the way;
He will take care of you,

God will take care of you.

The man followed the music into the chapel and as he listened, he felt his burdens lift. All worries left him, as he realized just how much God loved him. He later recalled those moments in the chapel as the most dramatic and glorious twenty minutes of my life.  

Who is this man who was so filled with despair? Mr. James C. Penney, founder of the American Department store chain, J.C. Penney.

Thanks for visiting today. Whatever your circumstances, know that you can look to God for your strength and help. I take comfort I can claim the words of this hymn as my own.

Fear not, for I am with you;

Be not dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you,

Yes, I will help you,

I will uphold you 

with My righteous right hand.

Isaiah 41:10

This post may be shared with some or all of the following link-ups.  

TellHisStory, The Art of Home-making Mondays, Mondays Musings, Roses of Inspiration, Growing in Grace Thursdays, Word Art Wednesdays, Counting My Blessings,