While teaching, one of her students struck her with a heavy slate, and she suffered a severe spinal injury which forced her to retire from teaching and made her an invalid for the rest of her life.
Her suffering deepened her spiritual life, and she often
wrote from a place of personal experience and reflection. She turned to writing
poetry and hymns, finding in this creative outlet a way to continue her service
to God despite her physical limitations.
However, writing did not fill all her desires for usefulness
in the Master’s service, and it was her privilege to be engaged in primary
Sunday School work, and to take an active part in the Philadelphia Elementary
Union.
She was a close friend of Fanny Crosby, prolific hymnist.
She often attended the Methodist camp meetings at Ocean Grove, New Jersey. Her
cousin, Edgar Page Stites, was also a hymn writer.
She died on April 24, 1920, in Philadelphia. She was buried
in Woodlands Cemetery in Philadelphia.[6]
William J. Kirkpatrick (1838-1921), hymn writer for this
hymn, was an Irish-born American hymnwriter. His family immigrated to
Philadelphia in 1840. William did not accompany his parents on the initial
immigration as he was too young, and they wished to be settled before bringing
him to America.
William was exposed to and given formal training in music at
a very young age. In 1854, he studied music, playing the cello, fife, flute,
organ and violin. He joined the Harmonia and the Haydn Sacred Music
Societies where he was exposed to many great composers. In 1855, he became
involved in the Wharton Street Methodist Episcopal Church serving the choir
with his musical talent and teaching Sunday School.
Over the years he published close to 100 major works and
many annual works such as anthems for Easter, Christmas, and children’s choirs.
Kirkpatrick died on 20 September 1921.
There is a well-known story about Kirkpatrick from a meeting
he participated in. He often led the music portion of the meetings and enlisted
the help of soloists and other musicians to perform for the attenders. During
one of these meetings, he became saddened by his observation of the soloist,
who would perform the required songs and then leave without staying to hear the
preacher. William feared that this young man did not really know Christ and so
he began to pray that God would somehow get a hold of the soloist's heart.
One evening while he was praying, a song began to form in
his mind. He quickly jotted down the lyrics and asked the soloist to sing the
song that night. The lyrics of the song convicted the young man's heart, and he
ended up staying and listening to the message. When the preacher gave the altar
call at the end of the night, the soloist got up and went to the front of the
tent and accepted Jesus into his heart.
The lyrics that so touched this young man, and many
people since, are: "I've wandered far away from God, Now I'm coming home;
The paths of sin too long I've trod, Lord, I'm coming home. Coming home, coming
home, Nevermore to roam; Open now Thine arms of love, Lord, I'm coming
home." The song, “Lord, I'm Coming Home,” was based on the story of
the Prodigal Son found in Luke 15.
Bibleoutlined.com: “Psalm 132:14 expresses a deep desire for
a place of rest. In this verse, God makes a profound declaration about His
chosen dwelling. The Hebrew expression implies not just a physical place but a
sense of peace and permanence. When God speaks about resting here forever, He
is highlighting the significance of His presence among His people. This verse
emphasizes our need for a place where we feel secure and at home, a sanctuary
filled with God’s comfort . . . He desires a relationship with us. Thus, this
desire for resting signifies God’s ongoing commitment toward us, wishing to
dwell in our hearts and lives . . . “Furthermore, the idea of God’s presence
resting forever serves as a reminder of His faithfulness. His Word reassures us
that He remains steadfast. We can rely on His promises because He is
ever-present.
Scripturesavvy.com: This part of the message invites us to consider where God finds rest. Rather than looking for a house made of stone, God seeks a place in our hearts. It reveals God’s desire for fellowship and communion with us. Through faith, we are invited to create spaces in our hearts where God can dwell, allowing us to be vessels of love that reflect His character.
Versebyversecommentary.com: I am the door. Jesus is the access to eternal life. He is the sole means to enter the safety of the sheepfold . . . Everyone begins on the outside of the fold. Each one must enter through Jesus. Those who make the decision that Jesus is the way to eternal life immediately enter an eternal fellowship with other believers and with God . . . Those who believe in Christ will ensure that their souls are safe and secure. Jesus is the protector of the sheep. He saves from both sin and damnation; people will be saved from the means and the end. This is the condition of the result of being saved.”
Godsbless.ing: Understanding the significance of God’s grace in salvation in this verse also highlights the sovereignty of God in the salvation of His people. It reminds us that salvation is entirely a gift from God, given out of His love and mercy towards us. This truth humbles us, showing us that we cannot earn or achieve salvation on our own, but it is solely by God’s grace and His calling that we are saved. God’s grace in our lives ultimately points to the eternal impact. It assures believers that their salvation is secure and founded on God’s unchanging love and grace. This understanding can bring great comfort and assurance to believers, knowing that their salvation rests not on their own efforts, but on the unshakeable grace of God.
Wordexplain.com: God’s greatest revelation of Himself has
been through His Son, Jesus the Messiah. Jesus is the Living Word of God
. . . Jesus Christ is fully and completely God, with all the rights and
privileges thereof. He is the Living Word of God because, being
physically alive and visible to us humans in His humanity, He is also the
express image of God. He is God’s Living Message to us! He is God
come in human flesh!
Studylight.org, Gill’s Exposition of the Whole Bible: The Word
of our God shall stand for ever . . . because He lives and abides . . . Christ
is the Word which lives . . . He has life in Himself as God, as man, and as
Mediator; and is the Author of life . . . all its promises, blessings,
doctrines, and ordinances, are lasting; it will continue in the world until all
the elect of God are gathered in, until the second coming of Christ, and to the
end of the world . . . and will abide in the hearts of the saints, to all
eternity.
Godsbless.ing: His willingness to sacrifice Himself for the sake of His followers demonstrates the depth of His love and commitment. Jesus exemplifies the ultimate act of selflessness and compassion by giving up His own life, showing that His love knows no bounds . . . By stating, “I lay down my life for the sheep,” Jesus demonstrates the ultimate sacrifice He is willing to make for His followers, showcasing His selfless love and unwavering commitment to humanity. This sacrificial love echoes throughout the Bible, resonating with passages like Psalm 23:1-4, which portrays the Lord as a Shepherd who provides, guides, and protects His people.
Biblerepository.com: In Romans 5:8 we find a powerful message about God’s love for us. This love is not just a feeling; it is an action. God demonstrated His love in a specific way, by making a great sacrifice—He sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to die for us. This scripture highlights a fundamental truth in Christianity that emphasizes grace—God’s unmerited favor towards us. We did not earn God’s love; instead, while we were still sinners, God chose to love us. This verse assures us that God’s love is abundant and unconditional, transcending any mistakes or failures we may have made in our lives . . . This verse can be seen as a benchmark for our faith. It reminds us that Jesus’ sacrifice was intentional. He came and willingly gave up His life for us . . . It’s powerful to consider that Jesus willingly took upon Himself the sins of the world. His death was not a mere act of kindness; it was the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan. This is central to our faith and provides a model of sacrificial love we must replicate in our own lives. Just as Christ laid down His life for others, we are called to serve and love those around us selflessly.
“It is enough that Jesus died, And that He died for me.”
By His Grace . . .
