The mass of people were gathered at the base of Mount Sinai, Moses was addressing them. The prophet knew the people well. They were stiff-necked and needed many reminders. So he began, saying that God chose them not because of their numbers (they were small), not because of their greatness (they were weak), but because he was fulfilling a promise he made to their ancestors. "So realize that the Lord your God is the true God, El Emunah (the faithful God) who keeps covenant faithfully with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations..." (Deuteronomy 7.9)

“My income has not been large at any time due to impaired health in the earlier years which has followed me on until now. Although I must not fail to record here the unfailing faithfulness of a covenant-keeping God and that He has given me many wonderful displays of His providing care, for which I am filled with astonishing gratefulness."

These are the words of Thomas Chisholm in 1925. Born in a log cabin in 1866, he grew up with a fairly uneventful life in his home town of Franklin, Kentucky. At age 27 he put his trust in Jesus Christ for both this life and the one to come. He grew in his faith, eventually entering the ministry at the age of 36. This was clearly not his calling, however, as only a year later failing health kept him from his ministerial duties. He took a desk job as a life insurance agent which provided him a living and something else: time. With time on his side he realized his true calling and wrote almost 1,200 poems several of which became published hymns.

Most of us will never live a life of adventure, a life resembling an action movie or the Book of Acts. Most of us will contribute to the world through our children, through our gifts to the church and by exercising our God-given spiritual gifts. We don't need to foil the plots of evil kings, be lead through a desert by a pillar of fire, or receive a vision of prophecy to know El Emunah, the faithful God. He reveals his faithfulness to us in little things every day, and in the big things when they crop up unexpectedly in our lives. This was the experience of Thomas Chisholm, the author the traditional hymn "Great is Thy Faithfulness." His calling was to glorify God through his gift of poetry; obedience to that calling has impacted Christian men and women for nearly a century.

Great Is Thy Faithfulness

Thomas Chisholm – 1925

Great Is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father!

There is no shadow of turning with Thee;

Though changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not

As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.

Refrain:

Great Is Thy faithfulness,

Great Is Thy faithfulness,

Morning by morning new mercies I see;

All I have needed Thy hand hath provided

Great is Thy Faithfulness, Lord unto me!

Summer and winter, and 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.

Refrain

Pardon for Sin and a peace that endureth,

Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide,

Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow

Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Refrain

In the passage we looked at near the start of this article, we find Moses informing his people about their God. There are important truths in that brief quote. Take notice that El Emunah is faithful to his people who "love him and keep his commands." No one on this side of eternity can love God perfectly, but we can love God through obedience to his commands, by confessing our sins and wrongful thoughts and, through the power of the Holy Spirit, turn away from our sinful way of life. When we do so we live by faith, and there is no better way to show our love to the God of Faithfulness. Show your love to El Emunah today.