from the firing line…

A number of years ago, I began to play the gospel song “Keep on the Firing Line” during breakfast at Camp YES! I had noticed the campers – especially teen campers – were a little sleepy and needed a “boost” to get them awake and alert. The song is a rousing song – with a good message. Over the years since I started doing so, I have come across several renditions of it, recorded by several good Bible college groups, etc. so that now at camp, we play three or four in a row each morning – it has become a tradition of sorts for Camp YES! here in British Columbia.

The song, written by Howard Haney early in the last century, is a call of encouragement to the soldiers in the Lord’s army. I feel also, it particularly applies to those on the front lines – the men in leadership of God’s work. They are the ones who feel the fierce heat of the battle, who face, close up, the opposition of the adversary, who sometimes are even shot from behind by their own fellow soldiers. It is in times of great stress and trial that soldiers, good soldiers, sometimes are tempted to make the decision to “give it up.” The pain, suffering and hardship isn’t worth it any more. It is times like these that we need “Keep on the Firing Line.”

The fact is, whether you are in a professional ministry setting or just trying to live for the Lord and serve Him, there are times when the thought of deserting your post can seem like a viable and welcomed solution to the trials you are facing. It is then we must reflect on our Commander and Chief, the Lord Jesus Christ and seek Him above all else. King David said it this way: “Plead my cause, O Lord, with them that strive with me: fight against them that fight against me. Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for my help… And my soul shall be joyful in the Lord… Psalm 35

When we rest in Him, and depend upon God to fight our battles, then we, by His grace, will be able to “Keep on the Firing Line.”

After a long absence from blogging, I am going to endeavour to begin again – and have decided to change the name of my blog to “from the firing line…” It will remind me where I am at the moment – in the fight for souls and for the Lord – and I trust will serve to be an encouragement to you – wherever you might be in this world. If you are God’s child today, then you are in the “fight.” May God help us to stand firm and steadfast for Him and for the sake of others.

If you are unfamiliar with the gospel song, “Keep on the Firing Line” I am including its words below. You can find the sheet music on a free PDF file at the this URL. http://library.timelesstruths.org/music/Keep_on_the_Firing_Line/pdf/

from the firing line…

Gordon Conner

Pastor

gfconner@gvbc.ca

Keep on the Firing Line – by Howard Haney (1927)

If you’re in the battle for the Lord and right, Keep on the firing line;

If you win, my brother, surely you must fight, Keep on the firing line.

There are many dangers that we all must face, If we die still fighting it is no disgrace;

Cowards in the service will not find a place, so keep on the firing line.

Refrain

Oh, you must fight, be brave against all evil, Never run, nor even lag behind;

If you would win for God and the right, Just keep on the firing line.

God will only use the soldier He can trust, Keep on the firing line;

If you’ll wear a crown then bear the cross you must, Keep on the firing line.

Life is but to labour for the Master dear, Help to banish evil and to spread good cheer;

Great you’ll be rewarded for your service here, so keep on the firing line.

Refrain

When we get to heaven, brother, we’ll be glad, Keep on the firing line,

How we’ll praise the Saviour for the call we had, Keep on the firing line.

When we see the souls that we have helped to win, Leading them to Jesus, form the paths of sin.

With a shout of welcome, we will all march in, so keep on the firing line.

Refrain