Samuel Trevor Francis

And the man who wrote the words of this wonderful hymn knew something about the highs and lows of life.

He He's a man by the name of Samuel Francis, born in 1834 in a village north of London.

He was the son of an artist.

And as a child, Samuel Francis enjoyed poetry and music.

He joined the church choir at age nine, but later as a teenager, He struggled with his faith.

So parents listening right now, it's not just a modern problem.

At this point, the text of John chapter three came into his mind.

Jesus speaking these words, very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.