Charles Wesley - Father, 'tis Thine Each Day To Yield Lyrics

Meaning & Inspiration

Charles Wesley’s "Father, 'tis Thine Each Day To Yield" is a foundational hymn, a prayer of profound trust and daily dependence on divine provision that, while penned centuries ago, received a fresh unveiling in a recording released on June 17, 2020. This modern release highlights the enduring relevance of Wesley’s inspired words, allowing its timeless message to resonate with contemporary hearts seeking solace and assurance. The hymn functions as a direct address to God as a loving Father, articulating a core Christian belief in His unwavering care for His creation and His children.

The hymn opens by establishing God’s consistent role as the daily provider, a Father who understands and meets His children’s needs. The lines immediately evoke the tender imagery of God clothing "the lilies of the field" and hearing "the young ravens cry." This powerful poetic connection directly references Jesus’ teachings in Matthew 6:28-30, where He reassures His followers not to worry about clothing, pointing to the lilies as evidence of God’s meticulous care. Similarly, the mention of ravens, often considered unclean birds, crying out and being fed by God echoes Psalm 147:9 and Luke 12:24, underscoring God’s universal and impartial provision for all life. This initial stanza builds a bedrock of confidence, reminding us that if God cares so intimately for nature, His care for humanity, made in His image, is infinitely greater and more personal. It’s a call to observe the natural world as a testament to God’s daily, reliable sustenance, encouraging a faith that looks to Him for every fresh supply.

Transitioning from physical provision to spiritual sustenance, the second stanza deepens the hymn’s meaning, transforming it from a general acknowledgment of God’s care into an intimate prayer for the soul. The invitation to "cast our care" upon God immediately calls to mind 1 Peter 5:7, urging believers to release their anxieties to a God who cares deeply for them. Wesley asserts that "we live through Thee, who know’st our every need," echoing Philippians 4:19, which promises that God will meet all our needs according to His glorious riches. The hymn then culminates in a yearning for spiritual nourishment: "O feed us with thy grace, and give our souls this day the living bread!" This petition is incredibly rich with theological significance. "Thy grace" speaks to God’s unmerited favor, the spiritual sustenance that renews and strengthens the inner person. The profound request for "the living bread" directly references Jesus’ self-declaration in John 6:35, where He proclaims, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst." This isn’t merely a prayer for physical food but for the spiritual nourishment found only in Christ, the source of eternal life. It beautifully connects to the Lord’s Prayer, "Give us this day our daily bread," interpreting it not just for temporal sustenance but primarily for the spiritual food that sustains the soul for eternity.

"Father, 'tis Thine Each Day To Yield" serves as a timeless theological anchor, a potent reminder that our daily existence, both physical and spiritual, is entirely dependent on God's unfailing generosity. Its message inspires a daily posture of humble reliance and confident expectation, encouraging individuals to surrender their worries and trust in a God who not only sustains all creation but also intimately knows and provides for the deepest needs of the human soul. The hymn’s enduring power lies in its ability to ground us in the fundamental truth of God’s fatherly care, inviting us to experience His grace and the life-giving presence of Christ each and every day.