Have Faith in God

Baylus Benjamin McKinney (b. Heflin, LA, July 29, 1886; d. Bryson, NC, Sept. 7, 1952) wrote, “Have Faith in God” during a revival he was leading music for at First Baptist Church, Muskogee, Oklahoma. The year was 1934 and the depression was affecting the whole country. He felt an urgent need to write a song that would strongly encourage people’s faith. One night of the revival McKinney began writing, “Have Faith in God” during the sermon. When he got back to his hotel room after the service, he finished both the words and the music. After the revival, he sent the hymn to the music publisher Robert H. Coleman. It was copyrighted the same year (1934) and included in the collection Glad Tidings in 1935 (No.28).

McKinney became the music editor for the Southern Baptist Sunday School Board a short time later and put the hymn in his first collection, Songs of Victory, published in 1937 (No.28). Since then it has been a popular hymn sung by thousands of congregations around the world. The tune was given the name MUSKOGEE by the committee that compiled the 1956 edition of the Baptist Hymnal (No.253). The name was chosen because of the location where the song was inspired and composed.

B.B. McKinney’s education includes Siegel-Myers Correspondence School of Music (B.M. 1922), Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Bush Conservatory in Chicago, Illinois. He was awarded the Music. D. degree in 1942 by Oklahoma Baptist University, Shawnee, Oklahoma. He also taught voice, conducting, and music theory as a faculty member in the music department of Southwestern Seminary for over a decade. His extensive contribution to Southern Baptist music ministry is too voluminous to include in this devotion.

Several biblical truths are highlighted in the hymn:

1.   Have faith in God when your pathway is lonely,
He sees and knows all the way you have trod;
Never alone are the least of His children;
Have faith in God, have faith in God.   Psalm 25:16

2.   Have faith in God when your pray’rs are unanswered,
Your earnest plea He will never forget;
Wait on the Lord, trust His Word and be patient,
Have faith in God, He’ll answer yet.   2 Corinthians 12:7-8

3.   Have faith in God in your pain and your sorrow,
His heart is touched with your grief and despair;
Cast all your cares and your burdens upon Him,
And leave them there, oh, leave them there.    Hebrews 4:15-16

4.   Have faith in God tho’ all else fail about you;
Have faith in God, He provides for His own;
He cannot fail tho’ all kingdoms shall perish,
He rules, He reigns upon His throne.   Matthew 6:8

Have faith in God, He’s on His throne;
Have faith in God, He watches o’er His own;
He cannot fail, He must prevail;
Have faith in God, Have faith in God.   Revelation 7:15-17

The theme of this hymn comes directly from Jesus. When teaching His disciples in Mark 11:22, Jesus begins with, “Have Faith in God”. If the disciples of Jesus needed a lesson on faith, then we can certainly benefit from it as well. Our faith is tested every day. Sometimes the test is small and other times extremely big and difficult. Hopefully with each circumstance our faith grows a little stronger and more mature. All throughout this hymn many circumstances, experiences and emotions are cited; and with that, God’s assurances. This song is rich with scriptural truths and promises.

The chapter in scripture that comes to mind regarding faith is Hebrews 11. Faith is defined and testimony after testimony is given of the great faith God’s servants had. When your faith is weak, read Hebrews 11 and be encouraged that your faith is precious to God. He notices, and is aware of the strength of your faith. In verse six we are assured of how much God values our faith.

Be assured with these scripture passages also:
James 1:2-4; 1 Peter 1:6-9; 1 John 5:4; Isaiah 7:9; Habakkuk 2:2-4

Devotionally,
Bro. Andy