Last month, I lost my dad to cancer.

The way we speak about loss is strange. I lost him, and after almost ten years of obvious cognitive decline, it seemed he also lost himself. It may have seemed so, but Dad was never lost. At times, he might have forgotten our names. He might’ve forgotten the year or the president, but he never forgot his faith. That’s because God never forgot him.

This poem was read at Dad’s funeral on January 9, 2024.

“Have Faith in God”

By James Edwin Moore
(Nov 17, 1950 – Jan 6, 2024)

Have faith in God –
With hope and deep concern,
Have faith in God –
For Christ, lamps will burn;
Have faith in God –
And pray for His return.
Have faith, dear friend, in God.

Have faith in God –
That Baby in a manger;
Who came down as a stranger;
To save us all from danger.
Have faith, dear friend, in God.

Have faith in God –
A cure for all men’s sorrow–
Where hope and joy are borrowed;
Have faith He’ll save tomorrow.
Have faith, dear friend, in God.

Have faith His victory is right;
Through all the dark days and the bright;
On the world’s last Saturday night.
Have faith, dear friend, in God.

Have faith in God’s refining;
Even as this world’s declining,
Gospel lamps are shining.
Have faith, dear friend, in God.

Have faith in God’s Word speaking
Doubt fear and wayward creaking!
It’s His true light we’re seeking.
Have faith, dear friend, in God.

Have faith in God’s Son who came;
Fulfilling the time and place and name;
As His prophets foretold the same.
Have faith, dear friend, in God.

Have faith because Babylon fell;
And Persia, Greece, and Rome as well;
And history tells His story well.
Have faith, dear friend, in God.

Have faith when hope is dim;
When joy is to the brim;
Put your health and life with Him.
Have faith, dear friend, in God.

Have faith in what you see
His two great books agree;
Nature and scripture for you and me.
Have faith, dear friend, in God.

Have faith, though men debate it;
Though some may even hate it;
He loves all those He created!
Have faith, dear friend, in God.

Have faith and Seek so you will find
Gold richer than ever mined;
And His Word so wondrous kind.
Have faith, dear friend, in God.

Have faith and take your daily bread;
For eternal life, He said,
Christ was resurrected from the dead.
Have faith, dear friend, in God.

Have faith in God to rise above the hate;
And still, for glory wait;
Come now by the open gate.
Have faith, dear friend, in God.

Have faith that Christ will set us free;
His glory we will see
Blest hope for you and me.
Have faith, dear friend, in God.

Have faith He will answer every prayer;
When days are dark or fair,
Pray now and everywhere.
Have faith, dear friend, in God.

Have faith in the Father of our race
Filled with mercy, love, and grace;
Look forward to seeing His kind face.
Have faith, dear friend, in God.

Have faith He will re-create;
For a new life, none need to wait;
This love and power we celebrate.
Have faith, dear friend, in God.

Have faith He’ll meet our every need;
Always provide and always lead;
And for His Spirit plead.
Have faith, dear friend, in God.

Have faith, dear friend, in God.