Daily Deprogramming

In re-assessing the words and story of this old Hymn I can surely unite with the writer ’s heartfelt intent in  soul and spirit . It makes our hearts  (though weak and frail) pound with the energy to serve our Lord and King!  It strengthens our Faith and Courage to face the foe, and stand up for His TruthI   I found this story  of “Am I A Soldier Of The Cross?” on line entitled, “Gospel Hymn Stories.”

The Hymn, “Am I A Soldier Of The Cross?”  Was written by  English -born Isaac Watts in 1709.  The music score was written by Thomas A. Arde in 1762.  Ralph Harrison did the arrangement of the music score.  Isaac Watts first wrote the words, following a sermon he preached on 1Corinthians 16:13, “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, *quit you like men, be strong.” (* quit ye is a term meaning not to accept defeat)

As a young child , Isaac had to battle like a soldier.  His father was a Non-conformist of the Church of England.  Twice the man was imprisoned for his religious opinions. As a baby, he and his mother would visit his father in prison. Still as a youth, a local doctor offered to help him with a college education.  However, Isaac turned down the offer and entered a Nonconformist Academy.  At age 20, Watts left the Academy and began composing Hymns. “Am I a Soldier Of The Cross? ” asks each one of us are we willing to stand up for  our faith.

Watts earned his Doctor in Divinity and moved to London, where he became a minister.  He grew tired of the Psalms other churches used as hymns and decided to write some of his own. This was met with opposition, but soon his hymns became commonly used in nearly all churches.  ”Am I A Soldier Of The Cross?” remains a popular hymn today.

Here are the words to this  glorious heart-moving hymn.  We here at Anchorabuse.org stand upon their truth today.  We are honored to be counted among such  true Christians  as Isaac Watts and his father who was “imprisoned for his religious opinions”  and suffered for the sake of the Truth and the Faith. 

Am I A Soldier Of The Cross?

Am I a soldier  of the cross,

A follower of the Lamb?

And shall I fear to own His cause

Or blush to speak His name?

Must I be carried to the skies

On flowery beds of ease,

While others fought to win the prize

And sailed through bloody seas?

Are there no foes for me to face?

Must I not stem the flood?

Is this vile world a friend to grace,

To help me on to God?

Sure I must fight if I would reign:

Increase my courage, Lord;

I’ll bear the toil, endure the pain,

Supported by Thy word.

How thankful we can be for those true servants of the Lord who have gone before, leaving us their footsteps in which to follow.  Just reading these words  today bring great hope, comfort and  the desire to press on no matter the cost!  They encourage and increase  our faith and trust in His faithfulness. Praise the Lord, God in Heaven The Almighty One , Who Alone by His Grace  gives us the strength to endure through every opposition,  and through every hardship.  May we , as Christians be willing to shamelessly stand up and contend  for our faith!