July 29, 2018 (Sunday)
Stuart Hamblen was a well-known country-western singer and Hollywood actor in the 1930’s and 40’s. His popular radio program on the west coast of the United States made him radio’s first singing cowboy. He also played characters in ten western movies. At one point, he even ran for president of the United States-and did quite well on the west coast!
During Billy Graham’s evangelistic meetings in Los Angeles, in 1949, Stuart Hamblen gave his heart to Christ. Stuart then gave up his acting career and began a ministry for the Lord, bearing an effective testimony to the saving grace of God. He used his musical talent in a significant way in the Lord’s service, writing quite a number of gospel songs. “It Is No Secret” is the best known of these.
About the prospect of his death, Stuart Hamblen said, “When you see me fall asleep, say amen. But don’t you weep.” For the Christian, our coming departure from this world into the presence of Christ, will be cause for rejoicing.
One day in 1958, he wrote this gospel song, Until Then. It speaks of the dramatic change we will experience when we go to be with Christ. It also reminds us of the proper attitude we should have to the things of this present world, and how we should live in the meantime, as we await the Lord’s return.
Stuart Hamblen
1958
My heart can sing when I pause to remember
A heartache here is but a stepping stone
Along a trail that’s winding always upwards.
This troubled world is not my final home.
But until then my heart will go on singing,
Until then with joy I’ll carry on;
Until the day my eyes behold the city,
Until the day God calls me home.
The things of earth will dim and lose their value
If we recall they’re borrowed for a while
And things of earth that cause this heart to tremble
Remembered there will only bring a smile
But until then my heart will go on singing,
Until then with joy I’ll carry on;
Until the day my eyes behold the city,
Until the day God calls me home.