Sermons & Devotionals by Amazing Hymn Stories

None of the Christian hymn-writers has had a history so remarkable as that of John Newton. Newton was born in London. His mother was a pious woman, who taught him the Catechism and many other good things; but she died when the lad was only six years old. His father was a sea-captain, and took the bo... Read More

Often we hear someone tell us glibly to have a good day! Would not a far better farewell for Christians be the loving wish of this hymn text—“God be with you?” The added thought of “till we meet again” suggests a sincere desire for continued friendship. The writer of this hymn text, Dr. Jeremiah Ran... Read More

Haldor Lillenas, founder of a noted music-publishing company, made his way to the United States from Scandinavia. His first years in this country were hard, but a kind lady befriended him and taught him the English language. More importantly, perhaps, she told him the story of Christ and led him to ... Read More

A young grocery chain executive parked his car on the edge of a treacherous two-hundred-foot cliff at the edge of the Pacific Ocean some twenty-five miles south of San Francisco. Devil’s Slide, it was called, and to Bill Mansdoerfer it seemed an appropriate place to plan suicide. The next morning al... Read More

This was written on a Sunday afternoon by a pastor’s wife. She was very ill and in bed, but her husband had to go to a meeting. He was reluctant to leave her. She said, “Don’t worry, God will Take care of you.” While her husband was away, she thought of the wonderful truths in her own words, and wro... Read More

While many hymns are born out of a particular dramatic experience, this hymn was simply the result of the author’s morning by morning realization of God’s personal faithfulness. Thomas Obadiah Chisholm was born in a log cabin in Kentucky. Without the benefit of high school or advanced training, he b... Read More

After he was converted, William Williams decided to take all of Wales as his parish. And for the next 43 years, Williams traveled 100,000 miles on horseback, preaching and singing the gospel in his native tongue. He became known as the sweet singer of Wales. The vivid, symbolic imagery of this text ... Read More

Ira F. Stanphill was born in Belview, New Mexico, in 1914. He has written more than 550 songs, the most popular of which are “Mansion over the Hilltop,” “Room at the Cross,” and, of course, “Happiness Is the Lord.” On any number of occasions the Lord has given a song to a songwriter when he or she l... Read More

One of the most famous of Charles Wesley’s hymns is the Christmas carol: “Hark! the Herald Angels Sing.” It was written in 1738, about one year after Wesley’s conversion. It is almost impossible to pick up a church hymnal today and find this hymn omitted. It is said that no other man swayed the mind... Read More

A simple expression, prayed by an elderly woman at a prayer meeting one night, was the source of inspiration that prompted the writing of this popular consecration hymn, Have Thine Own Way, Lord, in 1902. The author of this hymn text, Adelaide A. Pollard, was herself experiencing distress of soul du... Read More

This hymn is unique in that it was a poem written to fit the tune. Kirkpatrick brought the music to Fanny Crosby, asking her to write a poem to fit his music. She, the blind musician who wrote 8000 music, did! ++++++++++ He Hideth My Soul (1)A wonderful Savior is Jesus my Lord, A wonderful Savior to... Read More

Joseph H. Gilmore, the writer of this beloved hymn, tells his story: I had been speaking at the Wednesday evening service of the First Baptist Church in Philadelphia, Corner of Broad and Arch Streets, about the 23rd Psalm, and had been especially impressed with the blessedness of being led by God. A... Read More

“Why should I worship a dead Jew?” This challenging question was posed by a sincere young Jewish student who had been attending evangelistic meetings conducted by the author and composer of this hymn, Alfred H. Ackley. Mr. Ackley’s answer to this searching question, ultimately prompted the writing o... Read More

The Montrose Bible Conference Grounds in Montrose, Pennsylvania, has been the sight of many wonderful Christian experiences, but seemingly none quite so far-reaching as in the summer of 1961. John W. Peterson says: “During one of the sessions an opportunity for a time of personal testimonies was giv... Read More

This hymn has been a favorite with many Christians since it was first published in 1898. It expresses so well this universal desire for a deeper spiritual life, continuing on a higher plane of fellowship with God than we have ever before experienced.. The author of this stirring text was Johnson Oat... Read More

Mrs. William Stillman Martin had experienced the protecting hand of the Lord during an illness. The incident was so precious to her that she wrote the song, “God Will Take Care of You.” Once she visited a friend, and related her story and hoping in some way to help relieve the friend’s depressed sta... Read More

On October 4, 1864, just before Sherman began his famous march to the sea, his army lay camped in the neighborhood of Atlanta. General Hood’s men very carefully gained control of the rear of Sherman’s army and began to cut off supply lines, burn blockhouses, and capture small garrisons of soldiers. ... Read More

Author Fanny Crosby wrote: “For a number of days before I wrote this hymn, all had seemed dark to me. That was indeed an unusual experience, for I have always been most cheerful. So in my human weakness, I cried in prayer, Dear Lord, hold thou my hand. “Almost at once the sweet peace that comes of p... Read More

Worship is the cornerstone of a believer's spiritual life. The bedrock of the local church is its worship service, and all aspects of the church’s ministry are founded here. The writer of this worship hymn, Reginald Heber, was a highly respected minister, writer, and church leader, serving for a tim... Read More

General Curtis Guild, Jr., has told in The Sunday School Times how this hymn, How Firm a Foundation, was sung on a famous Christmas morning. The Seventh Army Corps was encamped on the hills above Havana, Cuba, on Christmas Eve of 1898—a beautiful tropical night. Suddenly a sentinel from the camp of ... Read More