Exert from W. A. Criswell Sermon Library
Some years ago when I was in Oklahoma, I heard of two Southern Baptist missionaries named Hogan and Hayes. In the midst of an awesome trial, Hogan said to his friend Hayes, “I am quitting; I am going back home. This is too much.”
So Hayes said to his friend and fellow missionary, “I understand, I know; but before you go, would you sit down and sing just one song with me?” Bradford Hayes got his guitar and strummed the tune as they sang:
Am I a soldier of the cross,
A follower of the Lamb?
And shall I fear to own His cause,
Or blush to speak His name?
Must I be carried to the skies
On flow’ry beds of ease,
While others fought to win the prize,
And sailed thro’ bloody seas?
Are there no foes for me to face?
Must I not stem the flood?
Is this vile world a friend to grace,
To help me on to God?
Sure I must fight, if I would reign;
Increase my courage, Lord;
I’ll bear the toil, endure the pain,
Supported by Thy word.
When they got through singing the song, Hogan turned to Hayes and said, “I am staying.”
God never called us to “flow’ry beds of ease.” He called us to be His workers, His servants, and His witnesses. However life may turn in His gracious hands, let us affirm “to God be the glory.” The tears of Paul’s discipleship and apostleship are always evident.