“I am so glad that Jesus loves me!”
Born on July 9, 1838, Philip Paul Bliss is one of the renown hymn writers of Christian history. An accident cut his life short, but if he had lived as long as other writers such as Fanny Crosby and Ira Sankey, he might have written even more hymns.
Having been born in a log cabin to a poor family, Bliss knew at an early age that he would have to work hard to survive. He was given very little education, yet he was wise in the things of God. For the first ten years of his life, his only schooling came from his study of the Bible. His father loved music and encouraged young Philip to sing and to write.
Bliss’ childhood was not easy, but God had His hand upon him. At age 10, Bliss heard a piano for the first time. At age 11 – because his family was so poor – Philip left home to make a living for himself. At age 12, he came to understand the Gospel, and he trusted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior.
One summer night in 1869, Bliss went to hear the great evangelist, Dwight L. Moody preach in town. Moody was without a music director for the service and Philip Bliss offered to help. That night was the beginning of one of the greatest evangelistic teams ever. Bliss gave up his business and become a singing evangelist, traveling around the country.
Bliss wrote both the music and the words to some well-known songs such as “Dare to Be a Daniel”; “Hallelujah, What a Savior!”; “Jesus Loves Even Me”; and “Wonderful Words of Life.”
God took Philip Bliss and his wife home to heaven by a train accident caused by a bridge collapse. Bliss lived through the accident, but died trying to save his wife. He was thirty-eight years old.
His hymns continue to encourage Christians everywhere. The chorus of “Dare To Be a Daniel” reads: “Dare to Be a Daniel; dare to stand alone! Dare to have a purpose firm! Dare to make it known!”
Are you sure of God’s purpose for you? Are you doing your best to trust Him and obey His leading for your life?
1 Corinthians 16:13 – Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.