Isaac Watts, who is regarded as the father of English hymnody, was born in 1674, a time when Christians in England were persecuted for worshipping in independent churches. Watts’s father was among those who spent time in prison. In addition to the suffering of persecution, Isaac Watts suffered for most of his life with severe illness, so much so that at the age of 38 he had to retire from his work as pastor. In spite of this, he continued an active writing ministry which has proved to be a blessing to millions of Christians over the last three centuries.
Watts understood the reality of suffering in the Christian’s life, but he also recognized that we need not be defeated by suffering. These words, written by him in 1724, have encouraged many Christians in their suffering by pointing them to the Lord Jesus Christ and helping them to find strength in him.
Am I a soldier of the cross,
a foll’wer 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 through 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.1
1 Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left behind at Athens alone,