Fanny Crosby

Somewhere in time, March 24, 1820, Fanny Crosby was born.  Fanny Crosby was an amazing woman. She wrote poems.  Her poems were so popular that she had several published. She also composed song lyrics.  She wrote as many as 9,000 hymns.  Many of her hymns are still being sung today.  One of my favorite hymns is titled “Blessed Assurance”.

Fanny was visiting her friend, Phoebe P. Knapp in New York City.  Mrs. Knapp has composed some music and she wanted to see if Fanny had words for it.  When the song was played, Fanny immediately said.  “Blessed Assurance” and the balance of the lyrics quickly followed.

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!

Oh, what a foretaste of glory devine!

Heir of salvation, purchase of God.

Born of His Spirit, washed in His Blood!

This is my story, this is my song.

Praising my Savior, all the day long.

This is my story, this is my song.

Praising my Savior, all the day long.

What is truly amazing is that Fanny was blind.  She was not born blind, but when she was six weeks old, she had an eye infection.  The families’ normal doctor was out of town, so another doctor was called in to treat the ailing child.  That doctor placed hot poultice on Fanny’s eyes.  This blinded her.  Her father died when she was very small and her mother worked to support her.  Fanny was not able to attend school with the other children because of her blindness, but her grandmother was able to step in and take care of her.

Fanny was very bright and wanted so much to learn.  Her grandmother encouraged her to memorize the Bible and she had entire books from the New Testament set to memory at a very young age.  The desire to go to school never left and she decided to pray that God would open a door for her.  That day, her mother got a letter from a friend that contained information about a blind school in New York City.  Fanny knew this was her answer to prayer.

Fanny attended that school and did so well, they kept her on to teach other students after she graduated.  She remained as a teacher at the school until she married. 

Romans 8:28 “ And we know that in all things God works for the good for those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Fanny was asked many times how she could not be bitter and angry over the man who stole her sight.  These are her words on the subject.

"I have not, for a moment, in more than eighty-five years, felt a spark of resentment against him; for I have always believed that the good Lord, in His infinite mercy, by this means consecrated me to the work that I am still permitted to do. When I remember how I have been blessed, how can I repine?" What a marvelous illustration we have here of the way in which God can enable us to rise above our trials, and can "make all things work together for good to those who love Him." (www.wholesomewords.com)

How many of us, when faced with such a trial, can have total trust that God is in control.  I don’t know about you, but I whine about petty things in comparison to this. 

Trust is knowing that God – can – work everything out for our good.  When times are hard and when questions arise, remember Fanny and rest in the blessed assurance of God’s love and care of each of us.

Alan Jackson - LIVE - Blessed Assurance from bible91 on GodTube.