My God Has Not Failed

This poem is written in memory of Marilou McCully and the four other widows who all found God’s special strength and peace following the martyrdom of their husbands in Ecuador in January 1956. The story of Ed McCully, Jim Elliot, Nate Saint, Roger Youderian, and Peter Fleming giving their lives for the gospel is arguably the most well-known missionary story of the twentieth century. Less known, though, is the story of the wives and children who these men left behind—who successfully learned to cling to God despite the deep grief. Just months after her husband’s death, Marilou gave this speech “Did God Fail?” which served as inspiration for this poem. This poem is for anyone who believes that God is stronger than death’s sting. May we all learn to walk in resurrection power! (Psalm 48:14, 1 Corinthians 15:55)

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My God has not failed, though the world says He has
My God has not failed, though through flames I must pass
Though grief fills my heart, I do not have despair
My Savior still loves me and hears every prayer

My God has not failed, though mere men taunt and laugh
My God has not failed on this difficult path
His Word never said I would not suffer pain
But simply that He also suffered the same

My God has not failed, though my loved one is gone
My God has not failed—He has done me no wrong
My loved one is now like a seed in the ground
Yet out of His death fruit and life shall abound

My God has not failed—He still reigns in the skies
My God has not failed, for He gives me His eyes
To see that this pain has a good end one day
To see all the blessings He leaves on my way

My God has not failed—He is still by my side
My God has not failed, neither left me nor lied
I say to these young ones, “This God is our God.
Since He is our guide, over death we have trod.”