WHO IS ON THE LORD’S SIDE?

Amazing Grace

Frances R. Havergal, 1836–1879

… offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to Him as instruments of righteousness. (Romans 6:13)

As Christians, we are to take our places in God’s army and not be ashamed to be counted as one of His. Believers are too often content to sit on the sidelines and merely observe the spectacle. The work of the gospel, inviting individuals to be personally reconciled with God, is an urgent task, not a spectator sport. It demands our whole-hearted, zealous involvement.

This militant hymn text by Frances Havergal was originally titled “Home Missions,” and was written in October, 1877. It was based on the Scripture setting in 1 Chronicles 12:1–18, where a very select group of soldiers was preparing to join King David in warfare against the enemy. The poem later appeared in Loyal Responses, published by the author in 1878. “Who Is on the Lord’s Side?” has been used for more than a century to challenge Christians to make a definite commitment to follow Christ in spiritual warfare.

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?

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.

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 has made us willing; Thou hast made us free.

Fierce may be the conflict, strong may be the foe, but the King’s own army none can overthrow. Round His standard ranging, vict’ry is secure, for His truth unchanging makes the triumph sure.

Refrain:

1. By Thy call of mercy, by Thy grace divine,
2. By Thy love constraining, by Thy grace divine,
3. By Thy grand redemption, by Thy grace divine,
4. Joyfully enlisting, by Thy grace divine,
   WE ARE ON THE LORD’S SIDE—SAVIOR, WE ARE THINE!

Determine to do or say something to a non-Christian that publicly identifies you as a follower/soldier of Christ. Carry this musical truth as a help—

For Today: Joshua 24:15; 1 Chronicles 12:1–l8; Mark 8:24–38; 2 Corinthians 5:11; 1 Timothy 6:12

Osbeck, K. W.

• And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom yye will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served (that were beyond the flood) or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but I and mine house will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15
• These also are they that came to David to Ziklag, while he was kept close, because of Saul the son of Kish: and they were among the valiant and helpers of the battle. They were weaponized with bows, and could use the right and the left hand with stones, and with arrows and with bows, and were of Saul’s brethren, even of Benjamin. The chief were Ahiezar, and Joash the son of Shemaah a Gibeathite, and Jeziel, and Pelet the sons of Azmaveth, Berachah and Jehu the Anathothite, And Ishmaiah the Gibeonite, a valiant man among thirty, and above the thirty, and Jeremiah, and Jahaziel, and Johanan, and Jozabad te Gedetathite, Eluzai, and Jerimoth, and Bealiah, and Shemariah, and Shephatiah the Haruphite, Elkanah, and Jisshiah, and Azarel, and Joezer, Jashobeam of Korah, And Joelah, and Zebadiah the sons of Jeroham of Gedor, And of the Gadites there separated themselves some unto David into the hold of the wilderness, valiant men of war, and men of arms, and apt for battle, which could handle spear and shield, and their faces were like the faces of lions, and were like the roes in the mountains in swiftness, Ezer the chief, Obadiah the second, Eliab the third, Mishmannah the fourth, Jeremiah the fifth, Attai the sixth, Eliel the seventh, Johanan the eight Elzabad the ninth, Jeremiah the tenth, Machbanai the eleventh. These were the sons of Gad, captains of the host: one of the least could resist an hundred, and the greatest a thousand. These are they that went over Jordan in the first month, when he had filled over all his banks, and put to flight all them of the valley, toward the East and the West. And there came of the children of Benjamin, and Judah to the hold unto David, And David went out to meet them, and answered and said unto them, If ye be come peaceably unto me to help me, mine heart shall be knit unto you: but if you come to betray me to mine adversaries, seeing there is no wickedness in mine hands, the God of our fathers behold it, and rebuke it. And the spirit came upon Amasai, which was the chief of thirty, and he said, Thine are we, David, and with thee, O son of Jesse. Peace, peace be unto thee, and peace be unto thine helpers: for thy God helpeth thee. Then David received them, and made the captains of the garrison. 1 Chronicles 12:1–18
• And he looked up, and said, I see men: for I see them walking like trees. After that, he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look again. And he was restored to his sight, and saw every man afar off clearly. And he sent him home to his house, saying, Neither go into the town, nor tell it to any in the town. And Jesus went out, and his disciples into the towns of Caesarea Philippi. And by the way he asked his disciples, saying unto them, Whom do men say that I am? And they answered, Some say, John Baptist: and some, Elijah: and some, one of the Prophets. And he said unto them, But whom say ye that I am? Then Peter answered, and said unto him, Thou art that Christ. And he sharply charged them, that concerning him they should tell no man. Then he began to teach them that the son of man must suffer many things, and should be reproved of the Elders, and of the high Priests, and of the Scribes, and be slain, and within three days rise again. And he spake that thing boldly, Then Peter took him aside, and began to rebuke him. Then he turned back and looked on his disciples, and rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou understandesst not things that are of God, but the things that are of men. And he called the people unto him with ihs disciples, and said unti them, Whosoever will follow me, let him forsake himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life, shall lose it: but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the Gospel’s, he shall save it. For what shall it profit a man, though he should win the whole world, if he lose his soul? Or what exchange shall a man give for his soul? For whosoever shall be ashamed of me, and of my words among this adulterous and sinful generation, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed also, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy Angels. Mark 8:24–38
• But now I have written unto you, that ye company not together: if any that is called a brother, be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a raier, or a drunkard, or an extortioner, with such one eat not. 2 Corinthians 5:11
• Fight the good fight of faith: lay hole of eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:12