Because He Lives

lyrics and music by gloria and bill gaither

Because He Lives Lyrics

 

God sent His Son, they called him Jesus,

He came to love, heal and forgive;

He lived and died, to buy my pardon,

An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives.

 

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,

Because He lives, all fear is gone;

Because I know He holds the future,

And life is worth the living just because He lives.

 

How sweet to hold a newborn baby,

And feel the pride, and joy he gives;

But sweeter still the calm assurance,

This child can face uncertain days because He lives.

 

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,

Because He lives, all fear is gone;

Because I know He holds the future,

And life is worth the living just because He lives.

 

And then one day I'll cross the river,

I'll fight live's final war with pain;

And then as death gives way to victory,

I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He lives.

 

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,

Because He lives, all fear is gone;

Because I know He holds the future,

And life is worth the living just because He lives.

 

 

Because He Lives Guitar Chords

 

A                                 D

God sent His son, they called Him Jesus,

           A                 E     E7

He came to love, heal and forgive;

             A   A7         D

He lived and died to buy my pardon,

         A                 E               A    E7

An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives!

           A                   D

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,

           A                  E

Because He lives, all fear is gone;

          A D A             D

Because I know He holds the future,

            A                 E               A

And life is worth the living, just because He lives!

 

Scripture References

  • John 20:1 - Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance.
  • Matthew 6:33-34 - But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
  • Hebrews 13:8 - Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

The Story

Many of you may be familiar with the Gaither Homecoming Series, a series of videos, recordings, and concerts held by Bill and Gloria Gaither. As someone who is a big fan of Christian hymns, praise songs, and gospel music it thrilled me when these videos were released, and I wanted to get every one. There was just a simple joy in watching the videos, sort of a throwback to the old revival meetings and "All Night Sings" from a simpler time. Some of the earlier videos from the 1990s feature great singers of the past like Jake Hess and Vestal Goodman whose voices are gone now, but whose voices have been preserved for posterity. The Gaithers are still very much active today in music ministry; if you're lucky enough to live in an area where they hold concerts, the Gaither's Web site has a listing of upcoming concerts and homecoming events.

 

Because He Lives was written by Bill and Gloria Gaither in 1969 around the time their son was born (coincidentally, this was the same year I was born). While our world seems chaotic today, remember that chaos is nothing new; in the late 1969's the country was being torn apart by racial tensions and war. And rather than turning back to God, it seemed the country was abandoning God in a big way. These were the times when the sexual revolution, the rampant drug culture, and increasing immorality in media started.

 

At the same time, the Gaithers were facing struggles of their own, physically and emotionally. They asked the terrifying question that all parents ask: what kind of world am I bringing my child into? What will this world be when my child grows up? What things will this child face?

 

Their son, Benjamin, was born safe and sound. As happens with most parents, they held their infant in their arms and felt the love flow out from them which conquered all fears. And as much love as they had toward the baby they held in their arms, they were reminded of how much greater love that God has toward us, and that just as we want to do everything to protect, love, and keep our children, so does our heavenly Father feel the same towards us. Out of this came the words to this hymn.

 

Gloria Gaither told Robert Morgan, the author of the hymn stories book "Then Sings My Soul" (see the Resources links to the right) the following: "Over the years this song has reassured us that our Lord's resurrection is the central truth of life. Because He lives, we can face tomorrow. Many time since, as our children grew, our business life changed, our fortunes shifted, or our direction clouded, our family has found assurance in this very personal song. It's 'our song', but we're grateful othes have loved it too.'".

 

 

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