KEEP ON THE FIRING LINE

          It seems to me that today the Church generally does not like to talk about anything involving war.  Our sermons, our music and our actions generally fail to portray the truth that we are engaged in a serious spiritual battle with Satan.  Often they don't seem to recognize the enemy, nor the need to fight him.  Yet he has been attacking our beliefs, our way of life. our religious liberties and especially our families like never before. 1 Peter  5:8 warns us,  "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour."

          In Ephesians 6:11-12 we are told to "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places."  This is a battle which we must take seriously.

          In 1915 Bessie F. Hartcher penned a song which is a powerful reminder to believers that we must take our place in this battle.  We must stay on the firing line and be brave and fight against all evil that would come against us.  And we don't need to look too hard to see these attacks today.  They are more evident than ever.  We must be consistent in our walk with God and we must "never run, nor even lag behind" in this battle.

          And we need not fear, the victory is the Lord's.  He gives us the whole armor of God which we need to claim daily to fight this spiritual battle.  In Romans .8:37-39 we are told  "In all these things, we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the Love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord".

           Now I admit that at times today as we view what is happening in our country and in our culture it does become easy to get discouraged.  It is easy to think that maybe Satan is winning.  But He isn't.  Remember the scriptures quoted above.  God is in  control.  The victory is His.  We are to keep our trust in Him and just "keep on the firing line."

1.     If you're in the battle for the Lord and right,

Keep on the firing line;

If you win, my brother, surely you must fight,

Keep on the firing line;

There are many dangers that we all must face,

If we die still fighting it is no disgrace;

Cowards in the service will not find a place,

So keep on the firing line.

Refrain:

Oh, you must fight, be brave against all evil,

Never run, nor even lag behind;

If you would win for God and the right,

Just keep on the firing line.

2.     God will only use the soldier He can trust,

Keep on the firing line;

If you'll wear a crown then bear the cross you must,

Keep on the firing line.

Life is but to labor for the Master dear,

Help to banish evil and to spread good cheer;

Great you'll be rewarded for your service here,

So keep on the firing line.

Refrain:

Oh, you must fight, be brave against all evil,

Never run, nor even lag behind;

If you would win for God and the right,

Just keep on the firing line.

3.     When we get to heaven, brother, we'll be glad,

Keep on the firing line;

How we'll praise the Savior for the call we had,

Keep on the firing line;

When we see the souls that we have helped to win,

Leading them to Jesus, from the paths of sin,

With a shout of welcome, we will all march in,

So keep on the firing line.

Refrain:

Oh, you must fight, be brave against all evil,

Never run, nor even lag behind;

If you would win for God and the right,

Just keep on the firing line.

Listen to it here.     FIRING

GUARD YOUR HEART

          "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil."   (Proverbs 4:23-27).

          If you attended Sunday School as a child, you most likely remember singing this little chorus with all of its verses.

1.     Oh, be careful, little eyes, what you see,

Oh, be careful, little eyes, what you see.

There's a Father up above looking down in tender love,

Oh, be careful, little eyes, what you see.

2     Oh, be careful, little ears, what you hear, 

3     Oh, be careful, little tongue, what you say,

4     Oh, be careful, little hands, what you do,

5     Oh, be careful, little feet, where you go,

          That simple, but profound chorus was a reminder for children (and adults as well) to guard your heart.  In the Old Testament the word "heart" is used more than 800 times, but more than 200 times it deals with one's thought life, emotions, the wellsprings of life, those things that motivate and mold us. The Bible calls that the heart.

          As adults we also must be very careful to guard our hearts.  We need to be very careful with what we see, hear, or touch, with what we think and feel. and with what we desire.  Satan is very active in attacking us even when we don't realize.  What do we watch on television and on the internet and on movies?  What do we listen to on our music and with our friends?  What about our thought life?   Guard your heart!

          Steve Green (1956- ) is a well known Christian music singer and writer who knows how important this caution is for all believers. He penned the profound words of this week's hymn choice.  He knew that "The human heart is easily swayed and often betrayed at the hand of emotion."  He warns believers,  "Don't trade it for treasure, don't give it away.... as a payment for pleasure its a high price to pay."

          This week meditate upon his words and resolve to guard your heart.  Ask the Lord to give you discernment and protection.  We all need that in the world that we live in today with its many deceptions and temptations.

What appears to be harmless glance?

Can turn to romance and homes are divided

Feelings that should never 

have been awakened within

Tearing the heart in two, 

listen, I beg of you

Guard your heart, guard your heart

Don't trade it for treasure, 

don't give it away

Guard your heart, guard your heart

As a payment for pleasure, 

it's high price to pay

For a soul that remains sincere 

with conscience clear

Guard your heart

The human heart is easily swayed

And often betrayed at the hand of emotion

You dare not leave the outcome to chance

You must choose in advance

Or live with the agony

Such needless tragedy

Guard your heart, guard your heart

Don't trade it for treasure, 

don't give it away

Guard your heart, guard your heart

As a payment for pleasure, 

it's high price to pay

Guard your heart, guard your heart

Don't trade it for treasure, 

don't give it away

Guard your heart, guard your heart

As a payment for pleasure, 

it's high price to pay

For a soul that remains sincere 

with conscience clear

Guard your heart

For a soul that remains sincere 

with conscience clear

Guard your heart

Listen to it here.    GUARD

DEEPER AND DEEPER (TH)

TIMELESS HYMN - A special feature where I highlight some of my favorite hymns that I have previously featured in this blog.  These entries are revised and expanded and shared again for your encouragement and challenge. This hymn was originally shared here on October 2, 2011.

          This hymn is from the pen of a great evangelical preacher and missionary statesman, Oswald J. Smith (1889 - 1986). I have heard much about him, but I was surprised to learn that he actually composed more than 1200 hymns and religious verses. 

          In his book, "The Story of My Hymns", he gives the following account of the writing of this week's hymn. "Arriving in Woodstock, Ontario, one day in the year 1911, I was invited to preach one Sunday morning in the largest Methodist Church in that city. As I walked along the street on my way to the church, the melody of this hymn sang itself into my heart and with it the words, 'Into the heart of Jesus, deeper and deeper I go.' I can still recall the joy and buoyancy of youth, the bright sunshine overhead, and the thrill with which I looked forward to my service that Sunday morning, as again and again I hummed over the words. 

         I wondered if I could retain the music in my mind until the service was over, I was then just twenty-one years of age. After preaching, I returned to my rented room, and the first thing i did was write out the melody as God had given it to me. I had been able to remember it, and it has never changed form that day to this. 

         The verses were much more difficult, I worked on them at Belwood, Ontario. But it was three years later, in the First Presbyterian Church of South Chicago, of which I was pastor, that I completed them. It was then 1914, and I was twenty-four years of age. The writing of the hymn afforded me much joy, nor has it ever grown old. I still love it and always will, for it was the child of my youth. It proves conclusively that God can impart His deepest truths to the heart of the young, for I doubt if i have ever written anything more profound since. 

     There are five steps portrayed in 'Deeper and Deeper'- the heart, the will, the cross, joy and love. What an experience! But it is the note of triumph in the last verse that transports the soul to heights sublime." 

          And through eternal ages, Gratefully I shall sing, "O how He loved! O how He loved!  Jesus, my Lord and my King!"

         What more can I add to what the author has said about this hymn. Meditate on these words this week and ask the Lord to make this desire real in your life.

(1) Into the heart of Jesus, 

Deeper and deeper I go,

Seeking to know the reason, 

Why He should love me so,

Why He should stoop to lift me, 

Up from the miry clay,

Saving my soul, making me whole, 

Though I had wandered away.

(2) Into the will of Jesus, 

Deeper and deeper I go,

Praying for grace to follow, 

Seeking His way to know;

Bowing in full surrender, 

Low at His blessed feet,

Bidding Him take, break me and make, 

Till I am molded, complete.

(3) Into the cross of Jesus, 

Deeper and deeper I go,

Following through the garden, 

Facing the dreaded foe;

Drinking the cup of sorrow, 

Sobbing with broken heart,

"O Savior, help! Dear Savior, help! 

Grace for my weakness impart."

(4) Into the joy of Jesus, 

Deeper and deeper I go,

Rising, with soul enraptured, 

Far from the world below.

Joy in the place of sorrow, 

Peace in the midst of pain,

Jesus will give, Jesus will give; 

He will uphold and sustain.

(5) Into the love of Jesus, 

Deeper and deeper I go,

Praising the One Who brought me 

Out of my sin and woe;

And through eternal ages, 

Gratefully I shall sing,

"O how He loved! O how He loved! 

Jesus, my Lord and my King!"

Listen to it here.   LISTEN

SUN OF MY SOUL

          John Keble (1792-1866) was born in the tiny village of Fairford, Gloucestershire, Scotland.  He was the son of a pious and humble country vicar and a Godly mother. His father contributed much to his education before he won a scholarship to Oxford at the age of 15. Within 3 years of his entry at Oxford, Keble had won 2 first prizes, one for Latin and the other for his "Essay" in English. 

          Keble remained at Oxford as a professor until the death of his mother, when he went to be his father's curate at Coln St. Aldwyn, near Fairford. It was here in peaceful surroundings of gentle rolling hills of green that Keble was inspired to write much of his best poetry.

           As he took his walks in the early morning or evening, his mind seemed to be washed of all the cares of the world, and his soul was alone with his God and his Savior. In the course of time the young curate found that he had a poem for every day of the year, and his 'Christian Year' was the result. The 'Christian Year' went through 8 editions during the author's lifetime, and it was at one time the most frequently read book of poems in the English language. 

         The most popular of his hymns, "Sun of My Soul", was first published in the same volume. The hymn was written November 25, 1820, and originally it had 14 verses.  The prophet Malachi called the Messiah the Sun of Righteousness, who would rise with healing in His wings. So Keble was using a familiar title for Jesus when he wrote this poem.

          Throughout his ministry, Keble was known as an outstanding preacher and a careful Bible scholar. He wrote over 700 hymns. In 1869 Keble College was founded at Oxford University as a tribute to him..

          Upon one occasion the poet, Tennyson, was entertaining a friend in his garden. His friend had asked him what he thought of Christ, and the poet was silent for a time. Then leaning over a flower, he said, "What the sun is to that flower, Jesus Christ is to my soul. He is the Sun of my Soul." And so whether the expression was original with Keble or whether he borrowed it from Tennyson, it doesn't really matter.  As we bow our hearts and sing the hymn, we seem strangely warmed by the Sun of Righteousness.

          In "Famous Hymns of the World," Allan Sutherland tells this story of Keble's hymn: "In a wild night a gallant ship went to her doom. A few women and children were placed in a boat, without oars or sails, and drifted away at the mercy of the waves. Earlier in the evening, before the darkness had quite settled down, brave men on the shore had seen the peril of the vessel and had put out in the face of the tempest, hoping to save human life, but even the ship could not be found. After fruitless search, they were about returning to the shore, when out on the water, and above the wail of the storm, they heard a woman's clear voice singing:

"Sun of my soul, Thou Saviour dear,

It is not night, if Thou be near."

The work of rescue was quickly accomplished. But for the singing, in all probability, this boatload of lives would have drifted beyond human help or been dashed to pieces before morning.

          May this old poem/hymn be your daily prayer as you place your daily confidence for guidance and safety in the Lord.  May He be your companion through the dark night as well as through the busy day.

1    Sun of my soul, Thou Savior dear,

It is not night if Thou be near;

Oh, may no earthborn cloud arise

To hide Thee from Thy servant's eyes.

2    When the soft dews of kindly sleep

My wearied eyelids gently steep,

Be my last thought how sweet to rest

Forever on my Savior's breast.

3    Abide with me from morn till eve,

For without Thee I cannot live;

Abide with me when night is nigh,

For without Thee I dare not die.

4    Come near, and bless us when we wake,

Ere through the world our way we take;

Till in the ocean of Thy love

We lose ourselves in Thee above.

You can listen to it here.   SUN