HYMNS AND THEIR STORIES – 7 “It Took a Miracle” “It Took a Miracle” by J.W. Peterson Born: 1 November 1921, Lindsborg, Kansas, Died: 20 September 2006, Scottsdale, Arizona.
J
ohn Willard Peterson was born in Lindsborg, Kansas on 1st November 1921. As a child, he loved to sing, and dreamed of singing as a career. One year, talent scouts for a popular radio program came to town, and the young John beat all the other performers. His grand prize: voice lessons and a few months of singing on his own radio program. When he was twelve, John responded during a church altar call, accepting Jesus’ payment for his sins. He began reading the Bible, starting in Genesis he read ten chapters per day until he finished the whole Bible. John kept repeating this practice, becoming wellgrounded in his understanding of the Bible’s teachings. His devotional life as a teenager fed into his desire to write gospel songs.
My Father is omnipotent, And that you can’t deny; A God of might and miracles, It’s written in the sky. It took a miracle to put the stars in place, It took a miracle to hang the world in space; But when He saved my soul, Cleansed and made me whole, It took a miracle of love and grace! Though here His glory has been shown, We still can’t fully see The wonders of His mighty throne, ‘Twill take eternity! The Bible tells us of His power And wisdom all way through; And every little bird and flower Are testimonies too.
John entered the Air Force in 1942 and two years later was stationed in the Burmese jungle, flying supplies over the “China Hump,” (the Himalayas). He had a number of close calls. One night in a storm, the plane rose and fell like a rollercoaster while being pelted with rain, snow and hail. Then lightning struck the front of the plane, knocking out electrical equipment. But God guided John through the storm, safely back to camp. One of the many miracles in John’s life. After the war John attended Moody Bible Institute. By then he had decided to pursue gospel song writing as a career. A couple of publishers had bought some songs he’d written, but he sold them without royalties and did not receive much money. Then in 1948 one of his classroom instructors said something that started John thinking and reflecting on the miracles in his life. As soon as the class ended, he bolted to the music building where he put together the words and the music floating around in his heart and head—the song “It took a Miracle” was born! The chorus declares that God placing the stars and the earth in the universe was indeed a miracle, “But, when He saved my soul, cleansed and made me whole, it took a miracle of love and grace!” When published the song immediately caught on. The story is told about an elderly English lady visiting an American Crusade in Britain. As she entered the arena where thousands were gathered, she heard a soloist singing, “It took America to put the stars in place…!” She had misunderstood the words, substituting in her own mind America for a miracle! Typical of America’s self-importance, she thought, and promptly left the Crusade!
In 1953 John graduated from the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago and shortly thereafter settled in Pennsylvania to continue his song-writing career. He then moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan, where for over ten years he was President and Editor-in-Chief of the sacred music publishing company named Singspiration. He wrote over 1000 songs, including titles such as: "It Took a Miracle," "So Send I You," "Springs of Living Water," "Heaven Came Down," "Jesus Is Coming Again," "Over the Sunset Mountains" and "Surely Goodness and Mercy." In addition he wrote 35 cantatas and musicals. Including "Night of Miracles," "Born a King," "No Greater Love," "Carol of Christmas," "Jesus Is Coming," "King of Kings," "Down from His Glory" and "The Last Week." Approximately 10,000,000 copies of these cantatas and musicals have been published and sold. At 85 years of age, John slipped away to Glory on 20th September 2006.
Anthony Chamberlain
