HOLD THE FORT

"Hold the Fort"
Philip P. Bliss 1870

Ho, my comrades, see the signal, waving in the sky!
Reinforcements now appearing, victory is nigh.
"Hold the fort, for I am coming," Jesus signals still;
Wave the answer back to heaven, "By Thy grace we will."

See the mighty host advancing, Satan leading on;
Mighty ones around us falling, courage almost gone!
"Hold the fort, for I am coming," Jesus signals still;
Wave the answer back to heaven, "By Thy grace we will."

See the glorious banner waving! Hear the trumpet blow!
In our Leader's name we triumph over every foe.
"Hold the fort, for I am coming," Jesus signals still;
Wave the answer back to heaven, "By Thy grace we will."

Fierce and long the battle rages, but our help is near;
Onward comes our great Commander, cheer, my comrades, cheer!
"Hold the fort, for I am coming," Jesus signals still;
Wave the answer back to heaven, "By Thy grace we will."

This hymn was shared with us at a recent family camp we went to. It was shared in the context of it's being written during the Civil War. There was a battle over a critical fort, the men defending it were out of ammunition and strength but one man saw the signal of a coming general miles off telling them to "hold the fort", he was coming with reinforcements. The men of the fort held on and WON with the help of those reinforcements! The man who wrote this hymn saw the spiritual application and penned this hymn. I was so encouraged!

How often do we get discouraged? How often do we wonder if we are the only ones fighting in this war on earth? How easily do we forget Whose battle it really is? How timely a reminder that we do not fight by might nor by power but by His Spirit... the battle belongs to the Lord! Oh my friend, if you are weary in battle today, hold the fort, Jesus is coming! By His grace you will.