September 30, 2005

Have faith in God –
A whole wide world at rest;
Have faith in God –
His mercy then expressed;
Have faith in God –
For all mankind, the best.
Have faith, dear friend, in God

The Bible Stands

Words and Music by Haldor Lillenas, 1885-1959

    But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.  But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:13-17.

    We can never really be exposed to the truths of God's Word without our lives being affected. Either we become more desirous of becoming like the Author of the Book, or we become increasingly hardened to Its truths. It has been said that we must know the Word of God in order to know the God of the Word, especially in the light of John 1 verse 1, "...and the Word was God." However, a study of God's Word must never stop at merely gaining Biblical knowledge. It must always lead us to a more intimate relationship with God the Father through our Mediator God the Son, Jesus Christ the Righteous.
    Lillenas emigrated to America from his birthplace in Stord Island (near Bergen), Norway, as a child. He attended Deets Pacific Bible College in Los Angeles, California (later renamed "Pasadena College"); studied music at the Siegel-Myers School of Music in Chicago, Illinois; and received an honorary Doctor of Music degree from Olivet Nazarene College. In 1924, he founded the Lillenas Music Company (later taken over by the Nazarene Publishing Company), and worked as an editor there for 20 years.
    Haldor married Bertha Mae Wilson, a song­writer like himself. He and Bertha were elders in the Church of the Nazarene. Haldor traveled as an evangelist, then pastored several churches, 1914-1924. In his life­time, he wrote some 4,000 hymns.

The Bible stands like a rock undaunted
’Mid the raging storms of time;
Its pages burn with the truth eternal,
And they glow with a light sublime.

The Bible stands like a mountain towering
Far above the works of men;
Its truth by none ever was refuted,
And destroy It they never can.

The Bible stands and It will forever,
When the world has passed away;
By inspiration It has been given,
All Its precepts I will obey.

The Bible stands every test we give It,
For Its Author is divine;
By grace alone I expect to live It,
And to prove and to make It mine.

Chorus:
The Bible stands though the hills may tumble,
It will firmly stand when the earth shall crumble;
I will plant my feet on Its firm foundation,
For the Bible stands.

Have Faith in God by H.M.S. Richards, Used by Permission