Complimentary Story
May 2026“OPEN UP YOUR HEART AND LET THE SON-SHINE IN.”
“IT IS NO SECRET WHAT GOD CAN DO!”
Two well-known songs that need review! Written by a bar-brawling alcoholic named Stuart Hamblen, during 1934-1949, this man's life was a mess. He achieved stardom back then as a country singer and actor — Gene Autry and John Wayne, his friends and fellow associates. He achieved this level of success and fame as well.
The constant pressures and demands on Stuart drove him to the bottle as an escape mechanism to cope with his fast-paced lifestyle and all the stressful problems it created. Until one night, in a drunken stupor, he stumbled into a Billy Graham crusade. He was no stranger to the Word of God, in fact his father was a Methodist preacher, but fame and fortune, and pride of life, is the devil’s tool, a useful knife, that brings a good man to his knees, because in all of this there remains an emptiness in one’s soul, that void is purposely there and can only be filled by God Himself.
So when “the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life,” (1 John 2:16) threatens to destroy a man’s life, yet, if by chance one’s heart is pure, he comes to his senses and understands that Christ is the cure, only He can satisfy the soul. And so it was for Stuart Hamblen that night — he stumbled into a Billy Graham tent meeting and surrendered his life to Jesus Christ, and through that encounter, he overcame his addiction, sobered up, and was born again. God granted him a brand new start.
Shortly after his conversion, Stuart visited his friend John Wayne, and in the discussion of what God has done in his life, he told John, “Hey, it is no secret what God has done; He can do it for you too.” So as he left, John turned to Stuart and said, “you know, that would make for a great song,” and that is exactly what Stuart Hamblen did — he went home that same night, sitting at his desk he was ready to write those words into an inspirational song, when he heard his grandfather clock chime 12 times, signifying the midnight hour had begun so he started to write:
“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, I have good news for you! 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. …There is no night, for in His light, You’ll never walk alone, You’ll always be at home, wherever you may roam, there is no power that can conquer you, while God is on your side, so take Him at His promise, don’t run away and hide.”
After 15 years of drunken shame, all the while seeking fame, Stuart’s life was preserved. Only God knows the ends from the beginnings. If you’re a lost soul, struggling with drugs, alcohol, sexual promiscuity and happen chanced upon this article, remember God is a God of second chances. It is no secret what God can do, what He’s done for others He can do for you, and if you are among the blessed ones that have salvation and are concerned for a loved one that is still struggling, their life is not over until God says it’s over! So, keep on praying for the lost souls you know.
Because our prayer for the lost souls is to:
Open up their hearts, and let the “SON” shine in! Which is another well-known song by Stuart Hamblen:
“Open up your heart and let the sun shine in, Mother told me something that all of us should know, It’s all about the devil and I’ve learned to hate him so, she said he causes trouble when you let him in the room, he will never, ever leave you if your heart is filled with gloom, so let the sun shine in, face it with a grin; smilers never lose and frowners never win, so let the sun shine in, face it with a grin, Open up your heart and let the sun shine in, now when you are unhappy that old devil wears a grin, aw but he feels so awful, awful when the light comes pouring in, I know he’ll be unhappy ‘cos I’ll never wear a frown, maybe if we keep on smiling, he’ll get tired of hanging round!”
This song was even popular during the Stone Age! Give a listen to this YouTube link!
youtu.be/MVogUqWScYc?si=dIL63qW3jzi-uHb
So, we all who are in Christ look forward to the day of redemption as it draws near. So I leave you with this final song by Stuart. “Ain’t gonna need this house no longer, ain’t gonna need this house no more! Ain’t got time to fix the shingles, ain’t got time to fix the doors, I’m getting ready to meet the Lord!
