Over the centuries there have been many famous speeches given by national leaders and many of their words and messages are still remembered today. But centuries ago, Moses stood in the gate of the camp and asked the people of Israel, "Who is on the Lord's side?" (Exodus 32:26) He said "let him come unto me." And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him. Moses asked that question after he descended from the mountain where he received the Ten Commandments. As he descended he saw that the people in his absence had made a golden calf, had worshiped the golden calf, and had committed sin all around it. In anger he broke the two tablets of stone containing the Ten Commandments, came down into the camp, ground up the golden calf and sprinkled it on the water, and then issued the challenge: "Who is on the Lord's side?" The timely question is just as valid today as it was when Moses asked it. Those who were on the Lord's side in Moses' day, and those who are on the Lord's side in our day, are separated only by time. Unfortunately, with all the pressures and pleasures of today's society, many who call themselves "Christian" really don't live much different than all of those around them. But today we really are either for or against Christ. Jesus said, "He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad." (Matthew 12:30) In 1877 Francis Havergal recognized the need to answer this question and she penned the words of this week's hymn. Study the words of this hymn and ask yourself, whose side am I really on.
(1) Who is on the Lord's side?
Who will serve the King?
Who will be his helpers,
other lives to bring?
Who will leave the world's side?
Who will face the foe?
Who is on the Lord's side?
Who for him will go?
By thy call of mercy,
by thy grace divine,
we are on the Lord's side,
Savior, we are thine!
(2) Not for weight of glory,
not for crown and palm,
enter we the army,
raise the warrior psalm;
but for love that claimeth
lives for whom he died:
he whom Jesus nameth
must be on his side.
By thy love constraining,
by thy grace divine,
we are on the Lord's side,
Savior, we are thine!
(3) Jesus, thou hast bought us,
not with gold or gem,
but with thine own life blood,
for thy diadem;
with thy blessing filling
each who comes to thee,
thou hast made us willing,
thou hast made us free.
By thy grand redemption,
by thy grace divine,
we are on the Lord's side,
Savior, we are thine!
(4) Fierce may be the conflict,
strong may be the foe,
but the King's own army
none can overthrow;
round his standard ranging,
victory is secure,
for his truth unchanging
makes the triumph sure.
Joyfully enlisting,
by thy grace divine,
we are on the Lord's side,
Savior, we are thine!
I wasn't able to find a good video of this hymn, but you can listen to the melody here. LISTEN
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