In 1915, C. Harold Lowden wrote a “light and summery” type
of gospel song for children entitled “The Sunshine Song." Lowden
shared: “It became quite popular, and many pastors wrote to him that the music
should be saved, and a more general setting of words wedded to it. In 1917, I
came across a copy of it in my files and played it over. The rhythm and tempo
suggested the words ‘Living for Jesus.’ The idea came to me that a deep
consecration setting of words would be most appropriate.
“After much thought and prayer, I decided to ask T. O. Chisholm to write the words. I mailed him a copy of the music and suggested the title and the type of refrain which I felt it deserved. In a day or so, Mr. Chisholm returned it to me, saying he didn’t have the slightest idea as to the method used in writing words to music. Immediately, I sent the material back to him, telling him I believed God had led me to select him, and suggesting that he permit God to write the poem. Within a couple of weeks, he had completed the writing of the words, just as they appear in the song today.”
Thomas Obadiah Chisholm was born on July 29, 1866, in a log cabin near Franklin, Kentucky. Despite his lack of formal education, he became a teacher at the age of 16. By the age of twenty-one, he was associate editor for his hometown newspaper, Franklin Advocate.
By the time of his retirement he had written over 1,200 poems, 800 of which were published in a number of periodicals such as The Sunday School Times.
Carl Harold Lowden came from a musical family. His father is said to have played the trumpet while rocking Carl’s cradle and his mother played the organ. He was born in 1883, in Burlington, New Jersey. By age 12, Carl was selling compositions to Hall-Mack Company and conducting the church orchestra by the time he was a teenager.
Lowden was associated both with the Hall-Mack Company and with music publisher, John J. Hood. In 1913, he became music editor for the Evangelical and Reformed Church (now the United Church of Christ). Mr. Lowden taught music for several years at the Bible Institute of PA (now the Philadelphia College of Bible). He also served as the minister of music for the Linden Baptist Church in Camden, NJ, for 28 years.
Mr. Lowden composed a number of hymn tunes and edited many songbook collections during his lifetime. He died in 1963.
Theologian-theology.com: Paul’s general purpose in writing the letter is that they would be “filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding.” Paul thinks this knowledge of God’s will, will help the Colossians to live lives that are worthy of and pleasing to Christ. Specifically, the kind of life it will help them to live is one that is marked by good works and growing knowledge of God. This, then, is the life that Paul wants for the Colossians . . . a life marked by good works and growing knowledge of God. These two aspects of the Christian life are inseparable: knowledge of God moves one to do good things.
Christianity.com: David prays that he might be enlightened with the knowledge of God’s will; and this is the first work of the Spirit. A good man does not ask the way in which is the most pleasant walking, but what is the right way. Not only show me what Thy will is but teach me how to do it. Those who have the Lord for their God, have His Spirit for their Guide; they are led by the Spirit.
Biblehib.com, Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary: As our trials increase, we need to grow stronger in that which is good; our faith stronger, our resolution stronger, our love to God and Christ stronger. This is opposed to our being strong in our own strength. All Christians must be faithful to their Captain, and resolute in His cause . . . We must do the will of God, before we receive the promises, for which reason we have need of patience . . . Together with our prayers for others, that the Lord would give them understanding in all things, we must exhort and stir them up to consider what they hear or read.
Studylight.org, Coffman’s Commentaries on the Bible: No Christian has the right to remain silent with regard to the salvation that has been conferred upon him through the gospel of Christ . . . God’s saints need to be vocal about their redemption. If it was required of ancient Israel that they should extol the wonders of God’s delivering them from Babylon, is it not equally binding upon the New Israel to proclaim the wonders of “salvation in Jesus Christ?”
