October 3, 2005

Have faith in God –
One left, one taken;
Have faith in God –
No more forsaken;
Have faith in God –
In Christ to waken.
Have faith, dear friend, in God.

Ye Servants of God

Charles Wesley, 1707-1788

    The Lord reigns, he is robed in majesty; the Lord is robed in majesty and is armed with strength. The world is firmly established; it cannot be moved. Your throne was established long ago; you are from all eternity. The seas have lifted up, O Lord, the seas have lifted up their voice; the seas have lifted up their pounding waves. Mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea — the Lord on high is mighty. Psalm 93:1-4.

    After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: "Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb." All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying: "Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!" Revelation 7:9-12.

    Charles Wesley wrote this text in 1744, a year of unusually severe persecution for the Wesleys and their followers. During this trying year the Wesleys wrote several hymn pamphlets titled Hymns for Times of Trouble and Persecution. One of these booklets included "Ye Servants of God, Your Master Proclaim". The text was based on Psalm 93:1-4 and Revelation 7:9-12. The purpose of this text was to encourage their persecuted followers to concentrate on the One "Whose Kingdom is glorious--Who rules over all." As is generally true, Christians flourish best for God during times of persecution. This was certainly true of the Wesleys and the early Methodists. "God is on the throne; therefore let us cry aloud, and honor His Son and our Saviour" became the battlecry. And the more severe the opposition, the stronger became their proclamation of the Gospel.
    May our proclamation, too, always focus on Jesus Christ as the Saviour, Lord and Master of life and eternity. May we not become side-tracked with our own ideas, pet themes, or personal experiences.

Ye servants of God, your Master proclaim,
And publish abroad His wonderful Name;
The Name all victorious of Jesus extol,
His kingdom is glorious and rules over all.

The legions of Hell have lifted their voice,
Sore troubled that we in Jesus rejoice;
The floods they are roaring, but Jesus is here;
While we are adoring, He always is near.

When devils engage, the billows arise,
And horribly rage, and threaten the skies:
Their fury shall never our steadfastness shock,
The weakest believer is built on a rock.

God ruleth on high, almighty to save,
And still He is nigh, His presence we have;
The great congregation His triumph shall sing,
Ascribing salvation to Jesus, our King.

“Salvation to God, who sits on the throne!”
Let all cry aloud and honor the Son;
The praises of Jesus the angels proclaim,
Fall down on their faces and worship the Lamb.

Then let us adore and give Him His right,
All glory and power, all wisdom and might;
All honor and blessing with angels above,
And thanks never ceasing and infinite love.

Have Faith in God by H.M.S. Richards, Used by Permission