An excellent, easy definition of religion comes from the next acronym: Forsaking All I Trust Him. When we put our trust in Jesus Christ, victory for now and eternity becomes ours. Reading and singing the classic hymn “Faith is the Victory” is a superb solution to remember how and why believers are overcomers and victorious.
Who Wrote “Faith Is the Victory”?
In 1855, the Reverend Charles Spurgeon delivered a sermon on 1 John 5:4; he stated, “First, the text speaks of a GREAT VICTORY—the victory of victories—the best of all. We know there have been great battles where nations have met in strife, and one has overcome the opposite, but who has read of a victory that overcame the world?”
Thirty-six years later, John Henry Yates took the identical verse and wrote the poem “Faith is the Victory.” The same yr, he sent it to Ira Sankey and asked him to compose the music for the poem. Now, some 133 years later, the hymn stays a favourite.
John Henry Yates was born in Batavia, New York, on November 21, 1837. His parents had emigrated from England before his birth. John’s father was a shoemaker and traveled as a temperance lecturer. His mother, a schoolteacher, instilled in John a love for poetry and literature.
Robert J. Morgan notes three accidents that just about took Yates’ life, giving “his parents reason for grave alarm.”
It was Election Day, 1844, and on the age of seven, John fell from a hotel’s high set of stone steps. He fractured his skull and was unconscious for a very long time. The accident left him with a broad scar as a visual reminder. When John was 10, John and his family traveled by ship and a robust storm picked up John and threw him across the deck. He broke his leg. Then, at age 16, while working on a faculty play, “he by chance fell on an open double-edged knife, piercing his right lung.” His life hung within the balance for nearly three weeks.
After graduating from Batavia Union School, he worked as a sales clerk to assist his aged parents. He then worked as a shoe salesman and as a manager for a ironmongery store. During this time, he began writing poetry at his mother’s encouragement. His work was published within the Batavia newspaper, then in Harper’s Bazaar and other national publications. His fame snowballed.
While an adolescent, he became a lay preacher within the Methodist church. However, he didn’t limit his speaking and sharing of his faith in Jesus Christ to this denomination. He took the chance to talk in various denominational churches throughout New York.
In 1891, Yates launched his profession as a Gospel songwriter when Ira Sankey, composer and evangelistic campaign manager for D. L. Moody, asked Yates to jot down exclusively for him. Many of his lyrics became popular during this time. Composer Ira D. Sankey reports about writing the hymn in his book My Life and the Story of the Gospel Hymns.
John Henry Yates passed away on September 5, 1900. On his tombstone are these words:
“In Memory of the Poet-Preacher Rev. John H. Bates . . . Born 1837 / Died 1900 . . . Faith is the Victory, Oh Glorious Victory, That Overcomes the World.”
What Are the Lyrics to “Faith Is the Victory”?
Encamped along the hills of sunshine, 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 all know, that overcomes the world.His banner over us is love, our sword the Word of God;
We tread the road of the saints above with shouts of triumph.
By faith they, like a whirlwind’s breath, swept on o’er ev’ry field;
The faith by which they conquered death continues to be our shining shield.On every hand the foe we discover 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 who 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 hills of sunshine, our hearts with love aflame;
We’ll vanquish all of the hosts of night in Jesus’ conq’ring Name.Refrain:
Faith is the victory! Faith is the victory!
Oh, glorious victory that overcomes the world.
When you take heed to the hymn, you’ll hear the rhythm of a military march, again picking up the theme of being a Christian soldier marching off to spiritual war.
Does “Faith Is the Victory” Quote Any Bible Verses?
Yates based his poem, “Faith is the Victory, on 1 John 5:4 NKJV. “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And that is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.”
Additional verses could be equated to “Faith Is the Victory.” In stanza two, from Song of Solomon 2:4, “His banner over us is love.” Because of God’s great love, individuals receive mercy and style. Salvation begins here due to His great love for us. As a Christian soldier, that is our rallying point.
The hymn references the armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18). The Word of God is our sword, and the shield of religion is mentioned. In stanza three, it’s the salvation’s helmet. Throughout “Faith Is The Victory,” you will discover references to a military metaphor. Yates, in poetic form, points to the spiritual warfare a believer faces. There is victory because Jesus is the reality and the Word of God—liberating Good News! (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)
In the ultimate stanza, Yates brings the reader full circle. To the one who overcomes the evil one, through faith in Jesus, they shall have their name confessed in heaven and wear white robes (Revelation 3:5). Then he returns to the inspiration of 1 John 5:4.
The article “Bible Verses About Victory” is a fast resource for extra verses.
What Can We Learn from the Hymn “Faith Is the Victory”?
Writers write from personal experiences. One of probably the most trying experiences of Yates’ faith occurred in 1878. There was a diphtheria outbreak. Yates’ wife and two sons contracted the deadly disease, and all died inside one week.
Relying upon his faith and God’s guarantees, he moved forward. Later, Yates did remarry. He held on to the Word and that in Christ, he had victory.
In Romans 8, the apostle Paul discusses our freedom from indwelling sin, our sonship in Christ, and God’s everlasting love. In verse 37, Paul writes, “Yet in all this stuff we’re greater than conquerors through Him who loved us.” Taylor Jonsen discusses in his article “How Are We More Than Conquerors?” what it means to rest within the victory of the cross.
Does “Faith Is the Victory” Promise Victory Today?
Corrie ten Boom, a girl who persevered through horrific persecution in a concentration camp, would often say, “Jesus is Victor.” Not that He was victor or might be victor, but He is victor. The work of Jesus on Calvary’s Cross made the sacrifice once and for all. He conquered sin and death.
The prerequisite for victory is “for whatever is born of God.” It comes through the saving grace present in Jesus Christ. An individual must repent and imagine that Jesus is the one solution to everlasting life (John 14:6). Because of our position in Christ, we’re granted the precise to be an overcomer. Today, and for so long as we live, we have now victory.
In the Old Testament, Moses reminded the nation of Israel that God went before them against their enemies. He would give them victory (Deuteronomy 20:4). In the New Testament; Paul reminds the Corinthians that they’re to have hearts of gratitude because God gives them to victory through Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:17).
Believers are victorious. They are overcomers. In Greek, the word for overcomer means “to overcome” or “to have victory.” What leads a believer to be an overcomer? Our faith helps us grow in trusting Jesus for every thing we want. We march forward because we all know that God has promised never to depart or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).
What Can “Faith Is the Victory” Teach Us Today?
John Henry Yates’ beautiful poem teaches us that we’re engaged in a spiritual battle day and night. We must wear our spiritual armor and be prepared for battle with the Scriptures, the Truth, and faith.
Believers have the banner of God’s love, guarantees, and the reassurance that when our time on earth is accomplished, we are able to embrace our final victory. The Apostle Paul describes this in 1 Corinthians 15:50-58. Until then, keep singing “Faith Is The Victory.”
Photo Credit:©©Stock/Getty Images Plus/shuang paul wang
Laura Lee Leathers is a author and speaker. Imagine Lois Lane, over sixty-five, and living on a farm. Her metropolis is the world of freelance writing. Her primary love interest is the Word of God. She digs for information, interviews fascinating people, offers a cup of biblical hospitalit-tea, encourages, and helps others with the ‘how-to’s’ of life. To enroll for her newsletter, connect together with her at http://lauraleeleathers.com – – – “Helping You Flourish in Faith & Finish Well by His Word”
