One Day ~ Hymn Study

What a Difference a Day Makes

I remember the day that I came face to face with the knowledge that I was lost and without hope. Old Slew foot, the devil had blinded my eyes to the light. He said, “You’re a good girl. You have nothing to worry about.” Even though my parents were Christians, and their parents, and their parents before them, I was still lost in the darkness of my sin.

The old evangelist preached hard that night. Was it his warning of hell and damnation, or the fact that my grandfather had recently passed, that opened my eyes? Maybe both. I am not sure, but I was brought into the light that day. I needed a savior, so at an old-fashioned camp meeting, I walked the aisle and gave my heart and life to the Lord. Oh, what a day when I came into the Light.

At the turn of the 20^th century, there was another great, old evangelist who was set on preaching the Gospel. His name was J. Wilbur Chapman. Chapman served several pastorates before going into the evangelistic circuit. He preached with the legendary D. L. Moody at the 1893 World’s Fair. Then he began his own circuit with gospel singer Charles Alexander. Their first campaign of six weeks in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, saw 8,000 conversions. Then on to Boston, where they recorded about 7,000 conversions. Chapman and Alexander continued having tent revivals all around the world for the next 10 years until his death in 1918. [Wholesomeword.org]

More About the Hymn-writer

While Chapman will be forever known as a great evangelist, he also brought blessing to many Christians with his hymn writing. You may be familiar with “Our Great Savior (Jesus, What a Friend of Sinners)”.  But perhaps he “gave the Christian world the greatest gospel content song of all time when he penned the words for “One Day.” [Truthful Words Biographies]

Full Name: John Wilber Chapman, 1859-1918
Birth Year: 1859
Death Year: 1918

A Presbyterian evangelist. He served in several local churches before becoming an evangelist, preaching with the infamous D.L. Moody, as well as preaching many evangelistic events on his own. He had many preachers who were trained under him including Rev. Billy Sunday.

He wrote this hymn as well as two others

“Jesus, What a Friend for Sinners”  (another favorite of mine)
“‘Tis Jesus”

Let’s take a look at some lyrics of this great gospel hymn, One Day

“One day when heaven was filled with His praises.

 One day when sin was as black as can be.

Jesus came forth to be born of a virgin,

Dwelt among men, my example is He.”

It was indeed a dark day with sin rampant and men living as they saw fit for themselves. Ever since the Fall of Man in the Garden of Eden [Genesis 3], men and women were lost deep in sin. Even those who knew God struggled to live righteous lives. Until that one day when, at just the right time, God sent His angels down to earth to proclaim the birth of Jesus. [Luke 2:8-20] Jesus came; born to a virgin to live fully as a man on this earth experiencing everything we experience; yet, living a sinless life. What a wondrous example he was for us. [1 Peter 2:20-25]

“Living He Loved me.”

Oh, how much God loves us. We are familiar with John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His One and only Son…” But don’t stop there. Keep reading to understand more about how the darkness is chased away by His glorious light. [John 3:16-21]

And furthermore, not only does He love us, but He came to provide our forgiveness before we even thought about asking for it. [Romans 5:6-11] He did all of this while we were still deep in our sin.

“Dying He Saved me. Buried, He carried my sins for away.”

Yes, one day they arrested Jesus and falsely accused Him. That day, He took on our sins to pay our debt of sin on a cruel cross.  He carried our sins to the cross so that they could be eradicated from our lives. Our sins have been removed “as far as the East is from the West.” [Psalm 103] Our debt of sin has been erased! Gone! Forever Gone! Praise the Lord! “He erased the certificate of debt, with its obligations, that was against us and opposed to us, and has taken it away by nailing it to the cross.” [Colossians 2:14]

“Rising, He justified freely forever”

And even more than this, He did not stay in the grave. After three days He rose again, breaking the power of sin and death.  On that day, He freed us from the slavery of sin. Justified! “Just as if I’d never sinned”! And all we need to do is believe in Jesus Christ and accept His offer of salvation to live forever with Him in Heaven one day. “It will be credited to us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.” Romans 4:23-25

“One day He’s coming, Oh Glorious day!”

Ah! Yes! One day! One day He is coming again for us. When Christ ascended into heaven, the angel came down with a promise that ONE DAY, He would return just as they saw him leave. [Acts 1:6-11] It will be a glorious day when he comes and sets up His kingdom. And who can enter? “Those who have washed their robes” or as some translations say, “Do His commands”Revelation 22:7-21 So as Jesus said in Matthew 24 & 25, we must be alert and ready.

I am ready for that Glorious day! Are you ready? Have you repented of your sins and asked the Holy Spirit into your life to guide and direct you? Are you keeping your eyes on the eastern skies in watch for His return?

Both the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” Let anyone who hears, say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come. Let the one who desires take the water of life freely. Revelation 22:17

This hymn has been around for over one hundred years, but you may have only heard it recently when Casting Crowns brought new life to the beautiful words in their version of the hymn. Listen here.

Hymn Studies at Gracefully Truthful

The writers at Gracefully Truthful are doing a series of hymn studies this month. Click on over to read my contribution to the study on One Day.

Hymn of the Week ~ One Day

Source: Sing to the Lord, #210

1 One day when Heaven was filled with His praises,
One day when sin was As black as could be,
Jesus came forth To be born of a virgin,
Dwelt among men, my example is He!

Chorus:
Living, He loved me; dying, He saved me;
Buried, He carried My sins far away;
Rising He justified freely forever:
One day He’s coming– O glorious day!

2 One day they led Him Up Calvary’s mountain,
One day they nailed Him To die on the tree;
Suffering anguish, despised and rejected:
Bearing our sins, my Redeemer is He![Chorus]

3 One day they left Him Alone in the garden,
One day He rested, from suffering free;
Angels came down o’er His tomb to keep vigil;
Hope of the hopeless, my Savior is He![Chorus]

4 One day the grave Could conceal Him no longer,
One day the stone rolled away from the door;
Then He arose, over death He had conquered;
Now is ascended, my Lord evermore![Chorus]

5 One day the trumpet Will sound for His coming,
One day the skies With His glory will shine;
Wonderful day, my beloved One bringing;
Glorious Savior, this Jesus is mine![Chorus]

I was thrilled when I heard that Casting Crowns had placed the lyrics into a new contemporary song, Oh! Glorious Day. What a beautiful rendition.

Source: Hymnary.org

The Updated Version by Casting Crowns

Casting Crowns Story Behind the Song

Mandy Farmer

Pastor’s Wife (retired) &  Chronic Pain Warrior blogs about how to make it through anything by relating her own life experiences to her writing. She is passionate about her love for the Lord and desires to spread that passion to others. She has a great desire to encourage women who are following behind her.

www.mandyandmichele.com