Gaither Vocal Band - It Took A Faith Lyrics
Lyrics
When a desert dweller
Built his God a boat
It took a faith
When on water stepped a fellow
Knowing he could float
It took a faith
Oh, when a pint-size lad
Whipped a giant of a man
And all he had
Was a slingshot in his hand
When walls tumble down
At a trumpet blast
It took more than a wish
That it would come to that
It took a faith, it took a stand
It took a firm belief in a supernatural plan
It took a hope, it took a dare
It took a mighty God and a fervent prayer
No trick, no fluke, no mistake
Just faith
When you first receive
What God had done for you
It took a faith
Just a mustard seed
But just the same it's true
It took a faith
(It took a faith)
So when the water's deep
And the storm is great
(The storm is great)
When giants keep your strength away
(You've got no strength)
When life tumbles down upon your feet
Just recall what it took
When you first believed
It took a faith, it took a stand
It took a firm belief in a supernatural plan
It took a hope, it took a dare
It took a mighty God and a fervent prayer
No trick, no fluke, no mistake
Just faith, oh-whoa, just faith
Oh, something so attainable
It's power's unrestrainable
And so easily explainable
'Cause for every great work
That has ever been done
It took a faith, it took a stand
It took a firm belief in a supernatural plan
It took a hope, it took a dare
It took a mighty God and a fervent prayer
No trick, no fluke, no mistake
It took a dare
Just faith
Faith
It took a faith, it took a hope
Gotta have faith, faith, faith
Faith!
They took a stand, they took a dare
It's not a trick, it's not a fluke
It's no mistake
Faith!
It took a firm belief in a supernatural plan...
Video
It Took A Faith
Meaning & Inspiration
Released in 1988 on the album *Wings*, Gaither Vocal Band's "It Took a Faith" dives deep into the transformative power of belief, offering a robust theological exploration through its evocative lyrics. The song doesn't just present faith as a passive sentiment but as an active, foundational force that underpins significant divine interventions throughout biblical history and personal spiritual journeys. It begins by drawing parallels to iconic moments where human action, seemingly insufficient on its own, was catalyzed by an unshakeable trust in God's plan. The imagery of a "desert dweller" building an ark, a seemingly impossible feat against natural elements, speaks directly to Noah's obedience to God's command, a monumental act of faith documented in Genesis 6:13-22. Likewise, the reference to a "pint-size lad" conquering a giant, undeniably David against Goliath, as recorded in 1 Samuel 17, highlights how faith in God's strength can overcome overwhelming odds, demonstrating that divine power often works through the seemingly weak. The mention of walls falling at a trumpet's blast directly alludes to the miraculous conquest of Jericho, detailed in Joshua 6, where obedience and unwavering trust, not military might alone, brought down seemingly insurmountable fortifications, underscoring the principle that "with God all things are possible" (Matthew 19:26).
The core message of "It Took a Faith" is that these extraordinary events, far from being mere coincidences or lucky breaks, were the direct result of a profound, active faith. The chorus powerfully articulates this: "It took a faith, it took a stand / It took a firm belief in a supernatural plan / It took a hope, it took a dare / It took a mighty God and a fervent prayer." This is a compelling theological statement, asserting that faith is not merely a wish but a decisive action rooted in a conviction that God's power is real and operative. It’s the recognition, as Hebrews 11:1 states, that "faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." This assurance empowers individuals to "take a stand" and "take a dare," pushing beyond their limitations in reliance on divine provision. The song wisely connects these grand narratives to the personal experience of salvation, reminding listeners that their own faith journey began with a foundational belief, however small it may have seemed. The metaphor of a "mustard seed" of faith, though humble in origin, possesses the potential for immense growth and impact, echoing Jesus' teaching in Matthew 17:20 that "if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move."
The second half of the song shifts to a more relatable, present-day application, encouraging listeners to draw strength from past examples of faith when facing their own tribulations. When confronting "deep water" or overwhelming "storms," situations analogous to the Israelites' crossing of the Red Sea (Exodus 14) or the disciples' tempest on the Sea of Galilee (Mark 4:35-41), the song implores us to remember the initial spark of faith. It suggests that the same power that enabled biblical heroes and facilitated our own spiritual beginnings is readily available. The refrain reiterates the essential components: courage, hope, and a deep-seated belief in a divine orchestration. The song argues that the power of faith is "attainable" and "unrestrainable," and its efficacy is "easily explainable" through its consistent presence in every significant work attributed to God throughout scripture. This invites listeners to see faith not as a mystical secret, but as a tangible, vital element in the unfolding of God's purposes, whether in grand historical events or the quiet moments of a believer's life. The repeated emphasis on "no trick, no fluke, no mistake" firmly anchors the song's message in divine sovereignty, dispelling any notion that extraordinary outcomes are accidental, and instead affirming them as the predictable, albeit miraculous, fruit of unwavering trust in God.