“This is the victory that overcomes the world—our faith.” (I John 5:4)
Stuart Hamblen was a popular singer, songwriter, actor, poet and radio personality from the 1930s through the 1950s. He appeared as the bad guy in films with Roy Rogers and Gene Autry. One of his chart-topping country songs was “I Won’t go Hunting With You, Jake, But I’ll Go Chasing Women.”
In 1949 a young preacher came to Los Angeles for what was to become a historic evangelistic crusade. As part of the publicity for the crusade, it was arranged for him to appear on Stuart’s radio show.
Although known for his hard living and heavy drinking, Stuart Hamblen had been reared as the son of a Methodist minister and welcomed his guest warmly. An invitation was extended for Stuart to attend the crusade and he accepted.
Later, Stuart contacted the young preacher at his hotel and asked to talk with him. As a result Stuart accepted Christ as his savior and Lord. He gave up his old ways, quit drinking, quit chasing women, quit everything he had previously called fun.
After his conversion, Stuart announced that he was going to devote his time to serving Christ. He gradually lost favor with the Hollywood crowd and the radio station fired him when he refused to accept a beer company as a sponsor.
Hard times fell on Stuart. In the midst of his struggle a long-time friend,
Lift up your eyes
John, took him aside. “All of your trouble began,” he said, “When you accepted Christ. Was it worth it? Stuart said, “Yes.”
His friend continued, “You always liked your booze. I don’t see how you could give it up so easily.”
Stuart replied, “It’s no big secret. All things are possible with God.” John said, “That’s a catchy phrase. Sounds like a song title. Why don’t you write it?”
And he did. Stuart wrote:
It is no secret what God can do;
What he’s done for others
He’ll do for you.
With arms wide open
He’ll pardon you
It is no secret what God can do.
“It is No Secret What God Can Do” is Stuart Hamblen’s best and most-beloved song. The original manuscript is buried in the cornerstone of one of the Copyright Buildings of the Library of Congress in Washington D.C.
Oh, yes. That young preacher was Billy Graham. And Stuart’s friend was John Wayne.
Clyde Nichols is a retired minister, having served First Christian Church in Temple for 27 years as senior minister. He is the author of three books of devotionals and writes a religious column for several Texas newspapers, including The Reporter.
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