I Know Who Holds Tomorrow

Aug 17, 2023

One great and comforting truth so powerful to always remember is that we have a wonderful God who is with us from the beginning until the end. He knows everything about us, our future and He is always with us to hold our hands.

“I Know Who holds tomorrow” is a well-loved song that continues to provide comfort and hope to many people who are undergoing deep struggles in life. The composer, Irah Stanphill was one of them.

He was born on February 14, 1914. During his adult life, he became one of Christian music’s most outstanding talents of the 20th Century. He traveled throughout the United States and in 40 different countries, preaching and singing the songs he had written. Many of his songs were published in different languages and performed by the likes of Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash. Today, the message of his music continues to minister and strengthen so many people to press on in serving the Lord. Ira wrote over 500 gospel songs; including, “Mansion Over The Hilltop”, “Jesus and Me”, “We’ll Talk It Over” and “Happiness is the Lord”.

On April 23, 1939, he married Zelma Lawson, a Pastor’s daughter and a gifted musician. They had one son, Raymond. They both traveled serving and sharing the gospel in one crusade after another. However, life seemed to come to a halt when his wife Zelma became disillusioned with life in the ministry. She decided it was not for her, which left Ira so devastated but he kept trying to reconcile with her, stayed true to his vows, and had forgiven her.

However, Zelma continued to drift away from the Lord. She began singing in nightclubs and seeing other men until she eventually filed for divorce and remarried. Ira eventually gained custody of their son, Raymond. In 1951, Zelma tragically died in a car accident. With the divorce and Zelma’s demise, Ira reached the lowest point in his life. On top of that, he was judged and criticized for continuing to preach after his divorce. Disillusioned, he started thinking and doubting his future in the ministry.

One day, while driving, Ira Stanphill poured out his soul to God. By the time he reached his destination, God gave him a new song with a message that experiences, even how good or bad they are should not define him, instead; they should lead him to fully trust in God, who knows all the future.

During those years of separation, divorce, and Zelma’s death, and Ira was sinking into a deep depression, he composed this song, “I Know Who Holds Tomorrow.” It was a song used by God to give him hope and a reason to stay in the ministry. Since then, this song has given number of people the hope to continue and press on. The main idea of the song is in the phrase,

“Many things about tomorrow.

I don’t seem to understand;

but I know Who holds tomorrow, and I know Who holds my hand.”

On June 7, 1951, Ira Stanphill married Gloria Hollingsworth and they had two daughters together. Ira Stanphill continued to serve the Lord and he wrote more hymns and songs of faith for the remainder of his life. In 1976, he would face another difficult time in which he had to trust the One who holds tomorrow.

He was diagnosed with “a malignant tumor in the right front quadrant of the brain.” The surgery was successful, but after the operation, his personality changed. He lived another seventeen years

and died on December 30, 1993, and met the ONE who holds tomorrow, face to face; his Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Conclusion: Here again are the words of this song. May it inspire you to always put your trust in Him, who holds our tomorrow!

“I Know Who Holds Tomorrow”

1.I don't know about tomorrow,

I just live from day to day.

I don't borrow from its sunshine,

For its skies may turn to gray.

I don't worry o'er the future,

For I know what Jesus said,

And today I'll walk beside Him,

For He knows what is ahead.

Refrain: