The family settled in Coffeyville, Kansas, where he received
his high school and college education. He was converted to Christ at the age of
12 and was called to the Christian ministry, while attending the Assembly of
God church. At age 15 he became host of a radio program.
Even though he had only a year of piano instruction, Ira’s
natural musical ability soon made him proficient in piano, organ, ukelele, and
the accordion.
At 17 he wrote his first gospel song and traveled for
several years with evangelists. Stanphill began preaching at 22 in revival meetings and later served
pastorates in Florida, Pennsylvania, and Texas.
One of his unique practices during a meeting was to produce
a new gospel song from suggested titles received from the audience. This one
was penned in 1945, as a result of such a suggestion given to him on a Sunday
morning. While he did not write the song during the sermon, he returned home
that afternoon and when he cleaned out the scraps of paper from his pocket, he
became impressed with this title, quickly writing both words and music.
Stanphill said that he wrote gospel songs because he loves
God and God loves him; that most of his songs were the outgrowth of real
experiences, and that he thought that they appealed to people because he also
had trials, heartaches, and sorrows, so he knew what he wrote about.
Stanhill retired in 1979 and became active in an itinerant
music ministry. A few of his titles that are familiar and still performed
today include “Suppertime,” “I Know Who Holds Tomorrow,” “I Walk with His Hand
in Mine,” and “We’ll Talk It Over.” His death occurred less than two
months shy of his eightieth birthday in Overland Park, Kansas, on December 30,
1993.
The hymn focuses our attention on the blessings of the
cross. Stanza one points out that the cross brings to mankind the grace of God by
which we can be saved. Stanza two points out that the cross brings us into
friendship with Jesus by which He welcomes us. Stanza three points out that the cross
brings us the love of Christ by which He cleanses us. The chorus lets us know
that regardless of how many come to the cross, there is always room for all who
wish to be saved.
The message of God’s great love displayed at Calvary is designed to move the lost to obey and receive salvation. Christians should resolve to invite needy sinners to come, reminding them that there’s room at the cross for you.
“Room at the Cross for You” was used as the closing theme of
the national broadcast Revival Time for many years. Only eternity will reveal
the number who have been directed to Christ through this one gospel hymn that
reminds us that there is always room at the cross for one more sinner.
Studylight.org, Barnes’ Notes on the Whole Bible: The Hebrew is, “I hide myself with Thee”; that is, I take refuge with Thee; I put myself under Thy protection; I make myself thus secure, as Thou art secure.
Studylight.org, Calvin’s Commentary on the Bible: David, upon perceiving the imminent danger to which he was exposed, betook himself to the covert of God’s shadow, and concealed himself under the protection of it. This seems a very natural rendering . . . that David, instead of having recourse to various quarters for relief, was satisfied to have God cognizant of his case, and called upon Him in a hidden manner and apart.
Studylight.org, Dr. Constables Expository Notes: David wanted guidance from God . . . deliverance from his enemies . . . teaching from God’s Spirit who would provide safe direction . . . and restoration from the attacks of his enemies. Each of these petitions also contains some reference to trust in God . . . Even when God’s people sin, they can appeal to the Lord for help and restoration on the basis of His faithfulness and righteousness. This psalm beautifully combines humble requests and appreciation for God’s character.
Studylight.org, Dr. Constable’s Expository Notes: “Friend” is a relative term such as “abiding” or “fellowship.” A person can be a casual friend, a close friend, or an intimate friend depending on his or her love and loyalty. Likewise, all believers are God’s friends in one sense, but abiding believers are His friends on a deeper level because they seek to obey Him consistently . . . What is the difference between a servant of God and an intimate friend of God? Jesus proved to His disciples that they were His friends as well as His servants but pointing out that a master shares His plans with His friends but not with His slaves.
Blueletterbible.com, Matthew Henry: The psalmist desires admission into the sanctuary of God, there to celebrate the glory of Him that cometh in the name of the Lord: Open to me the gates of righteousness . . . those that would enter into communion with God in holy ordinances must become humble suitors to God for admission. And when the gates of righteousness are opened to us, we must go into them, must enter into the holiest and praise the Lord. Our business within God’s gates is to praise God; therefore we should long till the gates of heaven be opened to us, that we may go into them to dwell in God’s house above, where we shall be still praising Him.
Biblehub.com, Matthew Poole’s Commentary: The mighty hand of God means God’s omnipotence, which sometimes is called a strong hand, a mighty hand, the right hand of power, by which He is able to beat down those that are proud and high, and to defend or exalt those that are humble and lowly.
Enduringword.com, David Guzik: God assured Israel of this by starting with “Yes” . . . the love it describes is God’s love for every believer. “You must go back beyond your birth, beyond Calvary and Bethlehem, beyond the fall of man and the Garden of Eden, and as you stand looking out into the immensity of eternity, dare to believe that you were loved and chosen in Christ, the object of God’s most tender solicitude and pity.” (Meyer)
Studylight.org, Dr. Constable’s Expository Notes: There are many dwelling places, meaning “to abide” or “remain” in heaven. . . The picture that Jesus painted of heaven is a huge building with many rooms or suites of rooms in which people reside. The emphasis is not on the lavishness of the facility as much as its adequacy to accommodate all believers.
“There’s Room at the Cross for You” continues to live on and
change lives. In the book, “Stories Behind 50 Southern Gospel Favorites” by
Lindsay Terry, a story is told of Willard Cantelon, an evangelist, and Al Garr,
his song leader. They were holding a crusade when a young man, lost in
depression and having decided to end it all with suicide, walked by during the
service on his way to a nearby bridge to take his life. He heard Garr singing “There’s
Room at the Cross for You” and was so gripped by the message that he stopped
and walked inside. His life was forever changed, and he gave his life to God.
The man would later become an evangelist in his own right.
