God Will Take Care of You

It was Art Linkletter who truly understood the simplicity that children have when it comes to everyday life. His program, “Kids Say the Darndest Things,” was a nationwide hit at one time, and the kids were the stars. Of course, what they had to say launched them to this stardom. Children have a special way of seeing past all the things that complicate our lives as adults. The “ifs and buts” are overlooked, and simple childlike faith takes their place. Perhaps that’s why our Lord said, “Unless you become like a little child, you cannot see the kingdom of God.” The hymn, God Will Take Care of You, was written because of this childlike faith, and the story goes like this.

William Martin was a traveling evangelist back in the early 1900’s and was spending some time at the Practical Bible Training School in Lestershire, now Johnson City, New York. On one particular Sunday, he was scheduled to speak in a church many miles from the school. As he was preparing to leave, his wife, Civilla, became quite ill, and Mr. Martin felt he should cancel his engagement. As the Martins debated what to do, their young daughter, perhaps seven or eight years old, had the answer when she said, “Oh, Daddy, you don’t have to stay home because of mother. God will take care of us.” Dr. Martin followed his daughter’s words of encouragement and went on to the church service, which proved to be a good one. Later that morning, he received word from his wife saying, “All is well. God did take care of us.” The words of the Martin’s daughter had a profound effect on Mrs. Martin’s heart as a mother and by the end of the day, as a writer, too. By the time Dr. Martin arrived home, his wife had written a poem. That poem, God Will Take Care of You, would go down in the books with Civilla Martin as the author and into the hymnals with William Martin as the composer. But, in reality, it was “simple childlike faith” that gave birth to the song that has supplied needed comfort for over a hundred years now. Maybe, trusting in God isn’t as complicated as we adults like to think it is.

Be not dismayed what-e’r betide, God will take care of you;

Beneath His wings of love abide, God will take care of you.

Through days of toil when heart doth fail, God will take care of you;

When dangers fierce your path assail, God will take care of you.

All you may need He will provide, God will take care of you;

Nothing you ask will be denied, God will take care of you.

No matter what may be the test, God will take care of you;

Lean, weary one, upon His breast, God will take care of you.Chorus

God will take care of you, Through every day, O’er all the way. you, God will take care of you.

by Bill Dagle Hym Stories