I Then Shall Live

I am a fan of Southern Gospel. In particular, I am a fan of the Gaither Vocal Band. Love him or not, Bill Gaither is a Christian marketing genius. He ‘knows’ what it is that makes a ‘hit’ song. He knows which tune or words are anointed and which aren’t. The Holy Spirit is so very obviously present in his life and the lives of all around him. Ever watched one of his singers, Guy Penrod, singing?? The man is ‘gone’ – he’s away with the Lord, he is singing for his Saviour alone. His faith shines out of him in a way I can only aspire to. Yet it’s not just the singers who make up the Gaither Vocal Band – its everyone involved with his genre. And yet again, there is one who stands head and shoulders above the rest – maybe above Bill Gaither himself – and that is his wife Gloria who has penned the words to so many of their songs these past 40+ years. It was Gloria who penned these wonderful words, set to the music of Sibelius’ Finlandia Suite. Now who’d have thought to put those two together? Surely, only God would have spotted that partnership. Look at these wonderful words – the anointing on them and the truth in every last syllable.

I Then Shall Live
Lyrics
Words by Gloria Gaither
Music by Jean Sibelius
FINLANDIA

I then shall live as one who’s been forgiven;
I’ll walk with joy to know my debts are paid.
I know my name is clear before my Father;
I am His child, and I am not afraid.
So greatly pardoned, I’ll forgive my brother,
The law of love I gladly will obey.

I then shall live as one who’s learned compassion;
I’ve been so loved that I’ll risk loving too.
I know how fear builds walls instead of bridges;
I’ll dare to see another’s point of view.
And when relationship demand commitment,
Then I’ll be there to care and follow through.

Your kingdom come around and through and in me;
Your power and glory, let them shine through me;
Your Hallowed name, O may I bear with honor,
And may You living Kingdom come in me.
The Bread of Life, O may I share with honor,
And may You feed a hungry world through me.

Amen. Amen. Amen.

Text © 1981 Gaither Music Company. Music © Breitkopf & Hartel (Outside U.S.
only). All rights reserved.

Performance - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_p3lDJJRWc

These words were written by one who knows her Saviour intimately. One who knows and stands on His promises alone. Put them together with the music (on YouTube) and you have the genius of the Gaithers displayed ONLY for the Glory of God.