OzThoughts. Tuesday 21st July, 2009

OzThoughts. Tuesday 21st July, 2009

These days we do not sing the rousing strains of “Come, join our Army to battle we go”. If we do, it is not very often. To a tune which sounds very much like the Australian folk song “Click go the shears” (only because it is the same tune) we invite people to come and join us as we fight the battle of evil and invite them to the Saviour, Jesus.

[Look and listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/video/video_028.WMV
or
Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music2/mus_3704.mp3 ]

Come, join our Army, to battle we go,
Jesus will help us to conquer the foe;
Fighting for right and opposing the wrong,
The Salvation Army is marching along.

Chorus
Marching along, marching along,
The Salvation Army is marching along;
Soldiers of Jesus, be valiant and strong;
The Salvation Army is marching along.

Come, join our Army, the foe must be driven;
To Jesus, our captain, the world shall be given;
Foes may surround us, we'll press through the throng;
The Salvation Army is marching along.

Come, join our Army, the foe we defy,
True to our colors, we'll fight till we die;
Saved from all sin is our war cry and song;
The Salvation Army is marching along.

Come, join our Army, and do not delay,
The time for enlisting is passing away;
Fierce is the battle, but victory will come;
The Salvation Army is marching along.
Author: William James Pearson (1832-92)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 681

Robert Sandall in his first volume of the official Salvation Army history tells of the change of name from The Christian Mission to The Salvation Army. The story is well known that General William Booth objected strongly to the Christian Mission being described as a Volunteer Army on the front page of the Mission’s 1878 report and appeal. Sandall’s records that Booth said “we are not volunteers for we feel we must do what we do, and we are always on duty.”

Sandall goes on to comment the “Volunteers” an auxiliary and part-time citizen army “were at the time receiving much notice – most of it derisive.” Now today we probably don’t know much about the “Volunteers” or the “Territorials” as they became. Have you seen “Dad’s Army” on television? You have? Now you know something of why Booth objected to being called a volunteer.

I have the highest regard for volunteers after working as a manager of volunteers for many years. I do know from interviews and comments that some volunteers know little about turning up for regular shifts, and doing a good hour or day’s work, and keeping good standards about what they are doing.

On the other hand I know volunteers, and thankfully it is most of them, who are most professional in their approach to the task. It is only the pay is different.

As we go to battle it is about commitment. Booth would demand the commitment of a regular soldier . Does Jesus demand anything less?

6-10 Jesus told this simple story, but they had no idea what he was talking about. So he tried again. "I'll be explicit, then. I am the Gate for the sheep. All those others are up to no good—sheep stealers, every one of them. But the sheep didn't listen to them. I am the Gate. Anyone who goes through me will be cared for—will freely go in and out, and find pasture. A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.
11-13 "I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd puts the sheep before himself, sacrifices himself if necessary. A hired man is not a real shepherd. The sheep mean nothing to him. He sees a wolf come and runs for it, leaving the sheep to be ravaged and scattered by the wolf. He's only in it for the money. The sheep don't matter to him.
14-18 "I am the Good Shepherd. I know my own sheep and my own sheep know me. In the same way, the Father knows me and I know the Father. I put the sheep before myself, sacrificing myself if necessary. (John 10. The Message).

[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music4/mus_7000.mp3 ]

How can I better serve thee, Lord,
Thou who hast done so much for me?
Faltering and weak my labor has been;
O that my life may tell for thee!

Chorus
Here at the cross in this sacred hour,
Here at the source of reviving power,
Helpless indeed, I come with my need;
Lord, for thy service, fit me I plead.

Dull are my ears to hear thy voice,
Slow are my hands to work for thee,
Loath are my feet to conquer the steeps
That lead me to my Calvary.

Strength for my weakness, Lord, impart;
Sight for my blindness give to me;
Faith for my doubtings, Lord, I would crave,
That I may serve thee worthily.
Author: Bramwell Coles (1887-1960)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 488

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