And purifies the hearts
The faith that boldly faces
The devil’s fiery darts,
That faith is strong and must
Withstand the world’s temptation
And in all tribulation,
In Christ, the Saviour, trust.
The faith that knows no struggle
Against the power of sin,
The faith that sounds no bugle
To waken, fight and win,
That faith is dead and vain,
Its sacred name disgracing,
And impotent when facing
The devil’s mighty reign.
A Christian wears his armor
To wage the war of faith
Against the crafty charmer,
His foe in life and death.
With Jesus he must stand
Undaunted and victorious,
If he would win his glorious
Reward at God’s right hand.
It is a comfort pleasing
In our embattled life,
To feel our strength increasing
In trying days of strife.
And as our days shall be
The Lord will help accord us
And with His gifts reward us
When striving faithfully.
O Lord, my hope most fervent,
My refuge in all woe,
I will hence be Thy servant
Through all my days below.
Let come whatever may,
I will exalt Thee ever,
And ask no other favor
Than live with Thee for aye.
Although Brorson knew that—
The cost is greater than at first expected
To be in God's unbounded gifts perfected.
he holds that
It does not cost too hard a strife
To be a Christian, pure and heaven-minded,—
But a Christian must be steadfast and persevering, as he admonishes himself and
others in the following very popular hymn. The translation is by Pastor P. C.
Paulsen.
Stand fast, my soul, stand fast
In Christ, thy Saviour!
