During his youth, Hamblen traveled throughout Texas with his father. He attended school between trips, preparing for a teaching career, and he completed college with a degree in education. He practiced singing while riding the range, often writing his own songs.
Hamblen’s career as a Country Western Gospel singer, composer, radio-movie personality, and master storyteller all began in 1926, on radio station on WBAP, Ft Worth, TX, and sister station WFAA, Dallas, TX, where he became radio broadcasting’s first singing cowboy. The next major turning point in his career happened in 1929 when he won a talent show in Abilene, Texas, and with the $100 cash prize in hand, he headed for Camden, New Jersey, to the Victor Talking Machine Company to seek his fortune.
Eventually he settled in California in 1931, where he began his radio career which ran for 20 years. He began hosting the popular Family Album in California, while also appearing in motion pictures and rodeos. For a while, he ventured into horse-racing as an owner.
In 1934, he became the first artist signed by the American subsidiary of Decca Records. Hamblen did not cope well with the pressures of his high-profile career and sought relief in alcohol. Many times his drinking landed him in jail for public brawling and other destructive behavior. The Texas State Historical Association reports that Hamblen identified himself as the "original juvenile delinquent."
He met Rev. Billy Graham when Grahan appeared on Hamblen’s radio show. He was invited to attend a crusade and attended reluctantly.
Rev. Graham is reported to have said, “There is one man in this audience who is a big fake.” While many may have felt he was talking about them, Hamblen was sure he was talking about him.
Several days later he arrived at the Graham’s door. He was drunk and demanded the pastor pray for him. Rev. Graham said, “This is between you and God, and I’m not going to get in the middle of it.” The two men spoke, the gospel was shared, and about three hours later Stuart Hamblen gave his life to Christ.
Hamblen completely changed his life and ways, and he began to write Christian songs (with little success). He eventually lost his radio show when he refused to promote alcohol. He subsequently gave up gambling and horse racing and entered Christian broadcasting with his radio show, The Cowboy Church of the Air, which ran until 1952.
Sometime later, a friend of Hamblen asked him about the rumor going around Hollywood that Hamblen had changed his ways. Hamblen replied that it was no secret what God had done for him and what God could do for his friend, too. The friend then replied that Hamblen should turn those lines into a song. That friend's name was John Wayne.
Hamblen tells the story this way: "I wrote the
song one night, shortly after midnight. My wife and I had been visiting one of
Hollywood's most famous movie stars. We had gone over to his home just to fill
him in on some of the things that had happened in his recent absence.
"Somehow the discussion got around to how people can solve problems within themselves. I remember making a statement such as, 'It's no secret what God can do in a man's life.' About two hours later, as we were about to leave the actor's home he said, 'Stuart you ought to write a song about it is no secret what God can do. That is a beautiful thought.'"
"As we walked across the lawn, back to our house, I began to think about it. When we arrived at home, I walked into the living room and sat down at the organ.
“Our hall clock began to ‘chime’ the hour of midnight. I grabbed a pen and started writing, 'The chimes of time ring out the news, another day is through' and on and on until the song was finished. I then turned and glanced at the hall clock. It was only 17 minutes after midnight. I couldn't believe it. I had never been able to write any musical composition in less than three or four hours. I thought the clock had stopped. I then looked and saw the big pendulum still swinging."
Hamblen married Suzy Daniels and they had two children. They were married 55 years.
Enduringword.com, David Guzik: The disciples didn’t stop preaching for a moment. This challenges each of us as followers of Jesus. They continued where we may have stopped. We often find the threat of social rejection enough to make us keep quiet about who Jesus is and what He did for us. We need to have the apostles’ courage and determination to stand firm for Jesus Christ.
Spurgeon spoke of this kind of bold heart: “Now I charge every Christian here to be speaking boldly in Christ’s name, according as he has opportunity, and especially to take care of this tendency of our flesh to be afraid; which leads practically to endeavors to get off easily and to save ourselves from trouble. Fear not; be brave for Christ. Live bravely for Him who died lovingly for you.”
Dailyverse.knowing-Jesus.com: There are many precious promises of God, and faith requires all of His children to trust His Word, believe His promises, and have faith in the truth of Scripture. It is a great tribute to Abraham that Paul records that with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God . . . and we should seek to achieve an equivalent faith that stands firm on the promises of God . . . Not one of us should stagger at the Lord’s promises within His Word, for what God has said He will carry out to completion, for God cannot lie and will never change His mind, and the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. He is faithful and trustworthy, and all His promise are “Yes” and “Amen” in Christ Jesus.
Studylight.org, Clarke’s Commentary: The religion of the Lord Jesus is not in word—in human eloquence, excellence of speech, or even in doctrines; but in power, in the mighty energy of the Holy Spirit; enlightening, quickening, converting, and sanctifying believers.
Studylight.org, Barnes’ Notes on the Whole Bible: He abounds in forgiveness. This is the conviction of those who are pardoned; this is the promise of inestimable worth which is made to all who are willing to return to God. On the grounds of this promise all may come to Him, and none who come shall be sent empty away.
Studylight.org, Dr. Constable’s Expository Notes: Repentance is not something a person must do before God will accept him or her. It is simply a description of what seeking the Lord looks like. In other words, cleaning up one’s life is not a precondition for acceptance by God. The person who genuinely seeks the Lord and calls on His name has come to grips with his or her sin and is willing to turn it over to the Lord.
Biblestudytools.com, John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible: The promise of pardon is absolute and unconditional, and is here observed as the motive to forsake sin, and not that as the condition of pardon; the design is to comfort those that are distressed with sin; God does and will pardon, and none but He can, and He has declared that He will; forgiveness is with Him, and it is published in the gospel, and there have been many instances of it. The Lord abundantly pardons.
