It Is No Secret (What God Can Do)

Born into the family of a Methodist preacher, Stuart Hamblin was a songwriter, singer and actor, appearing in movies with such stars as Roy Rogers, Gene Autry and John Wayne.

In 1949, when Billy Graham was in Los Angeles, Hamblen’s wife persuaded him to attend one of the services. During a subsequent conversation with Billy Graham, Hamblen became a follower of Jesus.

One evening Hamblen was visiting John Wayne. In a discussion about how people solve their problems, Hamblen said something like: ‘It’s no secret what God can do in a man’s life.’ Later, Wayne said: ‘Stuart you ought to write a song about ‘it is no secret what God can do’. That is a beautiful thought.’

Hamblen arrived home and sat down at the organ. The hall clock began to chime midnight. He started writing. In 17 minutes, the song was finished.

The chimes of time ring out the news
Another day is through
Someone slipped and fell
Was that someone you?

You may have longed for added strength
Your courage to renew
Do not be disheartened
For I have news for you

Hamblen’s 225 songs were recorded many artists… Eddy Arnold, Pat Boone, Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley. I first heard the Jim Reeves version of ‘It Is No Secret’.

I was reminded of it reading Cliff Richard’s ‘A Head Full of Music’. He knew the song through the Elvis Presley version. Cliff describes how he became a Christian in 1965 and was invited to speak at one of Billy Graham’s meetings at Earls Court. For the first time, in June 1966, Cliff made his faith public and chose to sing this song. He’s sung it many times since that night…

There is no night for in his light
You never walk alone
Always feel at home
Wherever you may go

There is no power can conquer you
While God is on your side
Take him at his promise
Don’t run away and hide

It is no secret what God can do
What he’s done for others, he’ll do for you
With arms wide open, he’ll pardon you
It is no secret what God can do

I love this song because it’s simple, yet profound. It expressed my faith as a teenager listening to Jim Reeves or Cliff; it expresses my faith of today sixty years later. It reminds me that my God is active and personally involved in my life, walking alongside me, with his power, promises and pardon. Faith is not a confidential Sunday activity, practiced behind closed church doors. The God of Stuart, Cliff and me is publicly available. It is no secret what God can do.