Havergal's spiritual journey began early in her life,
memorizing passages in the Bible at age 4 and writing verse by age seven. When
she was five, her family moved to the Rectory of St. Nicholas, Worcester. Her
mother died when Francis was eleven.
In August 1850, she entered Mrs. Teed's school, who had a
strong influence on her. In the following year she says, "I committed my
soul to the Savior, and earth and heaven seemed brighter from that moment."
A short sojourn in Germany followed. Havergal's scholastic acquirements were
extensive, embracing several modern languages, together with Greek and Hebrew.
Havergal is described as a brilliant pianist and said to
have such a lovely voice, that she was often in demand as a soloist. But she
considered all her talents to be only loans from the Lord, to be used in His
service.
In 1860, she left Worcester upon her father resigning the Rectory
of St. Nicholas and resided at different periods in Leamington and at Caswell
Bay, Swansea, broken by visits to Switzerland, Scotland, and North Wales. She
led a quiet life, supporting the Church Missionary Society.
Although hymnist Havergal, thirty-six, had served the Lord
for years, she felt something was missing in her Christian experience. Then one
day in 1873, she received a little book called "All For Jesus," which stressed
the importance of making Christ the King of every corner and cubicle of one’s
life. Soon thereafter she made a fresh and complete consecration of herself to
Christ.
She said, "it lifted my whole life into sunshine, of
which all I had previously experienced was but as pale as passing April gleams,
compared with the fullness of summer glory."
Years later when asked about it she replied: “Yes it was on
Advent Sunday, December 2, 1873. I first saw clearly the blessedness of true
consecration. I saw it as a flash of electric light, and what you see you can
never un-see. There must be full surrender before there can be full blessedness.”
This is the account in her own words about writing this hymn:
"I went for a little visit of five days [to Areley
House]. There were ten persons in the house, some unconverted and long prayed
for, some converted, but not rejoicing Christians. He gave me the prayer, ‘Lord,
give me all in this house!’ And He just did. Before I left the house everyone
had got a blessing. The last night of my visit after I had retired, the
governess asked me to go to the two daughters. They were crying, etc.; then and
there both of them trusted and rejoiced; it was nearly midnight. I was too
happy to sleep, and passed most of the night in praise and renewal of my own
consecration; and these little couplets formed themselves, and chimed in my
heart one after another till they finished with 'Ever, Only, ALL for
Thee!'"
In the years that followed, Frances frequently used this
hymn in her own devotions, especially every December 2, on the anniversary of
her consecration.
On another occasion she was praying over the stanza that
says, “Take my voice and let me sing, always only for my King.” She felt she
should give up her secular concerts. Her beautiful voice was in demand, and she
frequently sang with the Philharmonic. But from that moment, her lips were
exclusively devoted to the songs of the Lord.
The line “Take my silver and my gold” was also sincerely
phrased. At one time Havergal gathered together her many fine pieces of jewelry
and other family heirlooms and shipped them to the church missionary house to
be used for evangelizing the lost. Nearly fifty articles were sent with “extreme
delight.”
Havergal died at the age of 42. She is buried in the far
western corner of the churchyard at St Peter's Parish Church, Astley, together
with her father, and near her sister, Maria V. G. Havergal.
Her hymns praised the love of God, and His way of salvation
to this end, and for this object, her whole life and all her powers were
consecrated. She lived and spoke in every line of her poetry.
Studylight.org, Bridgeway Bible Commentary: Those who love God should therefore seek God’s wisdom, so that they might use their short lives in the best way possible. Since the psalmist wants to live his life wisely, he asks for God’s help. Then sorrow will be replaced by joy, and his life will become one of fruitful service for God.
Bibleref.com: How will anyone call on Jesus – express saving faith in Him – unless they first believe in Him? And how will they believe in Him if they never hear about Him? And how will they hear about Him if nobody preaches the gospel to them?
Enduringword.com, David Guzik: Praise that pleases God is the fruit of our lips, more than just thoughts directed towards God. It is spoken out unto the Lord, either in prose or in song. “What proceeds from the lips is regarded as fruit, which reveals the character of its source, as the fruit of a tree reveals the nature of the tree.” (Guthrie) Loving hearts must speak . . . so, then, we are to utter the praise of God.
Studylight.org, Gill’s Exposition of the Whole Bible: The word of God, the doctrines contained in it; which, coming out of the mouth of God, and spoken by Him, carries in it weight and authority, commands reverence and respect; and ought to be considered as indeed the Word of God and not of man; and so of more value than thousands of pieces of gold and silver; or, as the Targum, than a thousand talents of gold and silver. The truths and doctrines of the Word of God are not only comparable to gold and silver for their intrinsic worth and value; but are preferable to them, and to be received before them.
Enduringword.com, David Guzik: Paul looks outside of himself and unto Jesus. As soon as he looks to Jesus, he has something to thank God for – and he thanks God through Jesus Christ our Lord . . . Through means that Paul sees Jesus standing between himself and God, bridging the gap and providing the way to God. Lord means Paul has put Jesus in the right place—as Lord and master of his life.
Studylight.org, Bridgeway Bible Commentary: The writer instructs his sons by passing on teaching that his own father once gave him. The main point of that teaching was that, more than anything else, he was to get wisdom and insight. The first step in getting wisdom is the desire for it. Once obtained, wisdom will bring into the life of the possessor a new measure of security, honor and beauty. By living according to God’s wisdom, people will have true freedom, and at the same time will be morally upright. In addition to reminding themselves constantly of the instruction they have received, the disciples must keep their heart and mind, their whole inner person, in a state of moral and spiritual good health.
Biblehub.com, Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary: Let us search whether Christ be in us; let us beg Him to make us indifferent to the trifling concerns of this life, that we may serve the Lord Jesus with a willing mind, and follow His holy example.
Biblehub.com, Matthew Poole’s Commentary: For my Father, with whom I am one in nature and essence, will honor those that are My servants; so great a thing it is to be a servant to the Son of God. The Father will honor those that are so, and especially those who are so in suffering, with eternal life and felicity.
Havergal is referred to as the "consecration poet,"
as she strived to live a life fully dedicated to Christ and to those she saw in
any physical or spiritual need. May we all strive to live such a life.
By His Grace . . .
