Insight From our Singing - part 14

I like songs that remind us of the truth of Ephesians 6:10-17 - that we are in a war with far more than flesh and blood.  Songs that are a call to victory.  To me, the song "Rise up O Church of God" serves this function. 

Rise up O church of God - have done with lesser things
Give heart and mind and soul and strength to serve the King of Kings.

Rise up O church of God - His kingdom tarries long

Bring in the day of brotherhood and end the night of wrong.

Rise up O church of God - The church for you doth wait

Her strength unequal to her task, rise up and make her great!

Lift High the cross of Christ.  Tread where His feet have trod.

As brothers of the Son of Man, Rise up O church of God.

This song is so simple.  It contains two simple commands, the first repeated.  

     1. Rise up!  - So often we remain passive in our faith.  We go to church and wait for something to happen.  We read our Bible and wait for something to happen.  We pray and wait for God to do something.  We see a need or something that perhaps needs to change and we wait and ask God to send someone to do something.  Perhaps the call of God contains the command for us to Rise Up and do something. 

Sometimes we rely on a small group of people to do this, while a large portion of the church remains inactive.  Consider something.  If you are a part of a church, you have been gifted in some way by the Holy Spirit to encourage and edify the church you are a part of.  Seek out what that gift is and use it!

Verse three drives home the need.  Our churches are unable to do that which God has called them to do without the help of those who make up the church.  The church is not simply an organization that is here to serve your needs, it is a living organism that you are a part of that is moving toward eternity. 

     2. Lift High the Cross of Christ. - this to me is the banner under which we fight.  The struggle may be real, but we hold high the flag that reminds us that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Is this your banner?  Is this what you look to for encouragement?   Is this what gets you through the day?  If not - perhaps it is time to consider changing banners! 

A simple song with a simple call.  We as individuals in our churches need to rise up and lift high the cross of Christ on a daily basis!