"For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith." 1 John 5:4
Saving faith must always be reflected in a working faith. Our response of faith to the redemptive work of Christ transforms us; but then we need a daily motivating faith if we want to live overcoming lives. To live by faith is to believe with conviction that God's purposes for us will ultimately prevail. In fact, prevailing faith anticipates victory and celebrates in advance! For example, read the Old Testament account of how singers preceded the warriors into battle and the defeat of the enemy was accomplished (II Chronicles 20:20-22).
Our faith does not develop merely through intellectual assent to religious dogma or through wishful thinking. Rather, it is a lifetime commitment to the Person of Christ with a response of obedience to His Word (Romans 10:17).
This hymn of faith and victory was first published in 1891 in the Christian Endeavor Hymnal. The author, John Henry Yates, was a preacher of the Gospel. Ira Sankey, the composer, is often called "the father of the gospel song."
FAITH IS THE VICTORY
John H. Yates, 1837-1900
Encamped along the hills of light,
Ye Christian soldiers, rise.
And press the battle ere the night
Shall veil the glowing skies.
Against the foe in vales below
Let all our strength be hurled.
Faith is the victory, we know,
That overcomes the world.
His banner over us is love,
Our sword the Word of God.
We tread the road the saints above
With shouts of triumph trod.
By faith, they like a whirlwind’s breath,
Swept on o’er every field.
The faith by which they conquered death
Is still our shining shield.
On every hand the foe we find
Drawn up in dread array.
Let tents of ease be left behind,
And onward to the fray.
Salvation’s helmet on each head,
With truth all girt about,
The earth shall tremble ’neath our tread,
And echo with our shout.
To him that overcomes the foe,
White raiment shall be giv’n.
Before the angels he shall know
His name confessed in heav’n.
Then onward from the hill of light,
Our hearts with love aflame,
We’ll vanquish all the hosts of night,
In Jesus’ conqu’ring Name.
Refrain:
Faith is the victory! Faith is the victory!
O glorious victory, that overcomes the world!
Read Galatians 2:20; James 2:18; I John 5:1-12; Jude 3
John H. Yates, 1837-1900
Encamped along the hills of light,
Ye Christian soldiers, rise.
And press the battle ere the night
Shall veil the glowing skies.
Against the foe in vales below
Let all our strength be hurled.
Faith is the victory, we know,
That overcomes the world.
His banner over us is love,
Our sword the Word of God.
We tread the road the saints above
With shouts of triumph trod.
By faith, they like a whirlwind’s breath,
Swept on o’er every field.
The faith by which they conquered death
Is still our shining shield.
On every hand the foe we find
Drawn up in dread array.
Let tents of ease be left behind,
And onward to the fray.
Salvation’s helmet on each head,
With truth all girt about,
The earth shall tremble ’neath our tread,
And echo with our shout.
To him that overcomes the foe,
White raiment shall be giv’n.
Before the angels he shall know
His name confessed in heav’n.
Then onward from the hill of light,
Our hearts with love aflame,
We’ll vanquish all the hosts of night,
In Jesus’ conqu’ring Name.
Refrain:
Faith is the victory! Faith is the victory!
O glorious victory, that overcomes the world!
Read Galatians 2:20; James 2:18; I John 5:1-12; Jude 3
Confess that we too often use our intellect or wishful thinking instead of true commitment when it comes to our relationship with Christ.
Pray that the Holy Spirit would enable you to obey His word.
Ask Him to keep revealing to you His banner of love that is over you.
Ask God to make you a vivid demonstration to your friends, brothers and sisters of a triumphant faith in Christ--an exclamation of faith, not a question mark.
Ask God to make you a vivid demonstration to your friends, brothers and sisters of a triumphant faith in Christ--an exclamation of faith, not a question mark.
Thanks for sharing the hymn, and telling a bit about its author. Today is the 173rd anniversary of John Yates's birth.
ReplyDeleteIf you enjoy reading about our hymns and their authors, I invite you to check out my daily blog on the subject, Wordwise Hymns.
And if you’ll excuse a brief “commercial:” If you do not have a good book on the subject of our Christmas carols, I encourage you to take a look at my own, Discovering the Songs of Christmas. In it, I discuss the history and meaning of 63 carols and Christmas hymns. The book is available through Amazon, or directly from Jebaire Publishing. (Might make a great gift too!)