An excellent, simple definition of faith comes from the following 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 wonderful way 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 greatest of all. We know there have been great battles where nations have met in strife, and one has overcome the other, but who has read of a victory that overcame the world?”
Thirty-six years later, John Henry Yates took the same verse and wrote the poem “Faith is the Victory.” The same year, he sent it to Ira Sankey and asked him to compose the music for the poem. Now, some 133 years later, the hymn remains a favorite.
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 almost took Yates’ life, giving “his parents reason for grave alarm.”
It was Election Day, 1844, and at the age of seven, John fell from a hotel’s high set of stone steps. He fractured his skull and was unconscious for a long time. The accident left him with a broad scar as a visible reminder. When John was 10, John and his family traveled by ship and a powerful storm picked up John and threw him across the deck. He broke his leg. Then, at age 16, while working on a school play, “he accidentally fell on an open double-edged knife, piercing his right lung.” His life hung in the balance for nearly three weeks.
After graduating from Batavia Union School, he worked as a sales clerk to help his aged parents. He then worked as a shoe salesman and as a manager for a hardware store. During this time, he started writing poetry at his mother’s encouragement. His work was published in the Batavia newspaper, then in Harper’s Bazaar and other national publications. His fame snowballed.
While a teenager, he became a lay preacher in the Methodist church. However, he did not limit his speaking and sharing of his faith in Jesus Christ to this denomination. He took the opportunity to speak in various denominational churches throughout New York.
In 1891, Yates launched his career as a Gospel songwriter when Ira Sankey, composer and evangelistic campaign manager for D. L. Moody, asked Yates to write 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 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 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 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 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 light, our hearts with love aflame;
We’ll vanquish all 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 listen to the hymn, you will 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 this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.”
Additional verses can 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 grace. Salvation begins here because of His great love for us. As a Christian soldier, this 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 faith is mentioned. In stanza three, it is the salvation’s helmet. Throughout “Faith Is The Victory,” you will find references to a military metaphor. Yates, in poetic form, points to the spiritual warfare a believer faces. There is victory because Jesus is the truth and the Word of God—liberating Good News! (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)
In the final 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 quick resource for additional verses.
What Can We Learn from the Hymn “Faith Is the Victory”?
Writers write from personal experiences. One of 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 within one week.
Relying upon his faith and God’s promises, 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 these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” Taylor Jonsen discusses in his article “How Are We More Than Conquerors?” what it means to rest in the victory of the cross.
Does “Faith Is the Victory” Promise Victory Today?
Corrie ten Boom, a woman who persevered through horrific persecution in a concentration camp, would often say, “Jesus is Victor.” Not that He was victor or will 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 found in Jesus Christ. A person must repent and believe that Jesus is the only way to eternal life (John 14:6). Because of our position in Christ, we are granted the right to be an overcomer. Today, and for as long as we live, we have 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 are 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 conquer” or “to have victory.” What leads a believer to be an overcomer? Our faith helps us grow in trusting Jesus for everything we need. We march forward because we know that God has promised never to leave or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).
What Can “Faith Is the Victory” Teach Us Today?
John Henry Yates’ beautiful poem teaches us that we are 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, promises, and the assurance that when our time on earth is completed, we can 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 writer and speaker. Imagine Lois Lane, over sixty-five, and living on a farm. Her metropolis is the area 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 sign up for her newsletter, connect with her at http://lauraleeleathers.com - - - “Helping You Flourish in Faith & Finish Well by His Word”
