A young preacher was forced from his position in a denominational church for opposing slavery. His commitment set in motion a series of events that changed both his life and the lives of others.
When Dudley Atkins Tying was ousted from his denomination, he started preaching in revival meetings with several other preachers. They used the YMCA as a meeting place and soon had quite a following. During one of his sermons, Tying preached to a crowd of 5,000 men. It was during this sermon that he made this statement. He said, “I would rather that this right arm were amputated at the trunk than that I should come short of my duty to you in delivering God’s message.”
Some days later, Mr. Tying walked out to his barn where his mule was tied to a machine shelling corn. He patted the mule; and his sleeve got caught in the machine, badly damaging his arm. He died several days later.
Before Tying died, he gave his final “sermon,” words that expressed the way he felt about life. “Let us all stand up for Jesus.” Tying’s friend, Dr. George Duffield, used those dying words to write a poem, “Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus.” The following Sunday, Dr. Duffield used those words in his sermon. (hymnharts.com.)
Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
Ye soldiers of the cross;
Lift high his royal banner,
It must not suffer loss.
From victory unto victory
His army shall he lead,
Till every foe is vanquished,
And Christ is Lord indeed.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
Stand in his strength alone;
The arm of flesh will fail you,
Ye dare not trust your own.
Put on the gospel armor,
Each piece put on with prayer;
Where duty calls or danger,
Be never wanting there.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
The strife will not be long;
This day the noise of battle,
The next the victor’s song.
To those who vanquish evil
A crown of life shall be;
They with the King of Glory
Shall reign eternally.
Several melodies have been written to the hymn that came from this poem, but the lyrics are what have caught my attention. They seem to suit the circumstances in our world today.
It appears obvious that Mr. Duffield knew what was in the mind of his friend. I think we would do well to take heart to some of the lyrics as we face the day-to-day challenges presented to us with Covid, war, immorality, and attempts to destroy our nation.
Duffield identifies those that stand up as soldiers of the cross. Above all else, Christianity should not suffer loss. Paul told Timothy, “You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus” (Second Timothy 2:1-3 ESV).
As soldiers, Duffield says we are sent into the conflict as men and women who serve Jesus. We’ll face many foes, but our courage must be greater than the danger we face. Paul spoke of danger and the possible outcome. “As it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death” (Philippians 1:20-21).
The song admonishes us that flesh will surely fail us, but the Gospel armor will prevail. When danger presents itself, we cannot be found wanting. Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians says that we will need some help in fighting the schemes of the devil. He says, “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm” (Ephesians 6:13). He offers the specific armor the Christian will need to stand up for Jesus—a belt of truth, a breastplate of righteousness, shoes that are the gospel of peace, a shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit. Then, once you have equipped yourself with armor, pray and stay alert (Ephesians.
Though the battle will be strong, it won’t last long; and victory will be the reward for those that overcome the trials and temptations. What is the reward? It will be the same as it was for Paul. We can say, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing” (Second Timothy 4:7-8).
We need to remember that when we sing “Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus,” we are saying that we are willing to fight the battle. We are to let the Word exist in us, and we are to teach and admonish one another with the hymns we sing (Colossians 3:16). Whether we are facing illness, temptation, or persecution let us not be found wanting.
Sandra Oliver