Isaac Watts

For anyone who may not know who he was....Isaac Watts was an inspiring hymn writer who was born  prematurely in 1674. At the time of Isaac's birth, his father was in prison for leaving the Anglican church...a treasonous crime in England in those days. After his father was released his parents found Isaac to be an especially bright and spiritually minded child. He learned Latin at age four, Greek at nine, and Hebrew at thirteen.

After graduating from college at age nineteen, Isaac, dissatisfied with the versified arrangements of the Psalms that were used in the church, was challenged by his father to write a hymn. And so his first hymn, "Behold the Glories of the Lamb," based on Revelation 5, was published in 1707.

He went on to write over 600 hymns, many of which are still sung to our Lord today.  "Oh God our Help in Ages Past", "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross", "Alas! and Did My Savior Bleed",  and "Joy to the World" are a few of his more familiar hymns.

Here are the words to one of my favorites....I find them both convicting and inspiring! The first three verses are sobering questions to ponder, and the last three are encouraging reminders that our victory is in Jesus!

 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.

Thy saints in all this glorious war
Shall conquer, though they die;
They see the triumph from afar,
By faith they bring it nigh.

When that illustrious day shall rise,
And all Thy armies shine

In robes of victory through the skies,
The glory shall be Thine.