We don’t know how or why Lister wrote these words. He experienced storms that affected his life. As a writer for God, he
knew if we cry out to God, we will be safe until the storm passes by.
Thomas Mosie Lister was born in Cochran, Georgia, to Willis
and Pearl Lister. His parents were both musical and attempted to teach their
son music at an early age on their farm in the Empire District of Dodge
County. They placed their son in the church choir but soon discovered that
he could not distinguish musical tones. It wasn't until he began studying the
violin that his ear training abilities began to improve and by the time he was
a teenager he was already studying harmony and composition.
Lister studied music at the Vaughan School of Music in
Tennessee in 1939. He began his musical career as a singer, performing as an
original member of the Sunny South Quartet before joining the Navy in World War
II. At the end of his tour, he enrolled in Middle Georgia College where he
continued to study harmony, counterpoint, arranging, piano and organ.
By the late 1940s, he had worked with a number of groups
including a brief tenure as an original member of the Statesmen Quartet. As his
career took off and his songs began to find favor, he retired from touring to
spend more time songwriting.
In 1946 he met Wylene Whitten. They married that same year
and moved to Atlanta. In 1949 their identical twin daughters were born.
Lister soon gave up his professional singing career to
devote his attention to writing, continuing to work as an arranger for the Statesmen.
In 1953, he formed the Mosie Lister Publishing Company. Some of Lister’s better-known
tunes include “Then I Met The Master,” “I’m Feelin’ Fine,” and “His Hand In
Mine.”
After three decades as a Gospel singer, songwriter, and
arranger, Lister, became an ordained Baptist minister. He was also an
ordained deacon at the Riverside Baptist Church of Tampa.
Lister was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall Of Fame in
1976 and into the SGMA Hall Of Fame in 1997. Over the years, Lister also became
a popular arranger of choral music for Lillenas Publishing. He has continued to
write songs for popular Southern Gospel groups in the early 21st century.
Following the death of Wylene in 2001, he married Martha
Jean Hunter April 7, 2002.
This hymn was originally intended for Mahalia Jackson but it
never reached her. A man who was well acquainted with Lister asked him to write
the song. Mahalia Jackson was well known for her rendition of the song “He’s Got
the Whole World.” Lister said “Because I grew up among the minority groups, especially
the African Americans, I had an idea about the background of Mahalia and wanted
to write a song that would be a prayer for a person who has undergone struggles
in life."
Our plans are not God’s plans. The man who asked for the
song to be written never got it to Mahalia, but it was written, and many other
people have actually been blessed with it.
God not only says we will make it through, but that He will
go with us!
Biblestudytools.com, Pamela Palmer: David began this psalm
with the request that God would hear his prayer. He knew that whatever was
going on in his life, he could turn to God and cry out for help . . . David was
authentic with the Lord about how he was feeling. He was having a hard time, he
couldn’t handle it on his own, and so he came before God honestly in his
desperation. David went on to express his trust in the Lord’s presence and
protection. David believed that only God could save him. He recalled God’s
faithfulness and that indeed, God could keep him safe.
Scripturesavvy.com: The psalmist reflects on a personal
relationship with God. He understands that in his sheltering Rock, he finds
solace. This principle holds true in our lives. God is not removed from our
concerns; He is deeply familiar with them. Our circumstances may appear
overwhelming, but God’s power transcends any challenge. In this context of
reassurance, we can find the strength to rise again and move forward.
Bibleref.com: Satan offers to give up his hold on the world and humanity if Jesus will worship him. Then, as now, Jesus knows that there is no way to truly save the world without the cross . . . The problem with Satan's offer is that it is the near-sighted "thing of man." Without Satan's influence on earth, life would undoubtedly be easier and more peaceful. Although mankind would still sin, that sin would not be strategically manipulated and amplified by demonic forces. But without the cross, there is no eternal life. In our natural state, sin still separates us from God, and even without Satan's interference, there is no way we can change that.
Scripturesavvy.com: This scripture serves as a reminder that we are never alone. Jesus emphasizes that the Father has not abandoned Him, which is a comforting truth for us. It underlines the assurance that God is with us in our journey, watching over us and encouraging us to pursue righteousness. When we feel lost or isolated, we can draw strength from this promise and continue to seek God’s favor in our lives.
Scripturesavvy.com: When we look at Luke 21:19, we see a
profound message that revolves around endurance. Jesus speaks about the trials
and challenges that His followers will face, but He assures them that if they
remain steadfast, they will ultimately gain their souls. This verse
encapsulates a deep understanding of faith in the midst of suffering. It
reminds us that life will bring obstacles and hardships, yet we have a promise
of hope and salvation if we choose to remain firm in our convictions . . . Life
is unpredictable, and challenges will come our way. However, if we remain
persistent and steadfast, we will emerge strengthened and equipped for future
battles.
This verse also teaches us the significance of community
support. As believers, we are called to encourage one another through difficult
times. By sharing our experiences and strength, we build a network of support
that nourishes our faith. The church body acts as a safety net during periods
of trial, making it crucial for us to engage in fellowship and shared
encouragement.
Studylight.org, Gill’s Exposition of the Whole Bible: This, with what follows, is given as a reason why the psalmist desired to dwell in the house of the Lord; because he considered it as a pavilion or booth, as the word h signifies in which he should be hid by the Lord, in times of trouble and distress, either through the heat of persecution, or of inward anxiety of mind, caused by the working of a fiery law; the allusion being, as some think, to the shepherd's tent or booth, into which he sometimes takes a poor sheep, and protects it from the scorching heat of the sun at noon: and of such use is the tabernacle of the Lord.
Scripturesavvy.com: This verse speaks volumes about how we
can find solace in God’s sheltering presence during hard times. It reassures us
that when life throws challenges our way, we can rely on God to be with us and
protect us. To experience this protection, we must have faith and trust in
God’s promises. When we acknowledge that He is always near, we can approach
life’s chaos with confidence knowing He offers refuge.
Studylight.org, Barnes’ Notes on the Whole Bible: The word “waters” here, therefore, may include all the water on the earth, and in the sky. The words, “the hollow of his hand,” mean properly the hand as it is closed, forming a hollow or a cavity by which water can be taken up. The idea is, that God can take up the vast oceans, and all the waters in the lakes, streams, and clouds, in the palm of his hand, as we take up the smallest quantity in ours.
The hymn, “Till the Storm Passes By” echoes the promise of
God to Israel in Isaiah 43:3: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with
you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through
the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you.” This
assurance came in the midst of threatening clouds of judgment. It was the
proverbial silver lining that the people could look for when the tempest came.
We are never without the protection of our Father. He will
always walk with us until the storm passes by.”
By His Grace . . .
