When First My Soul Enlisted – Hymn Lyric
When first my soul enlisted in the fight against my Savior‘s foes, I faced doubts and pressures to conform to expectations that weren’t meant for me. Just like David, I learned to trust in the Lord’s strength and embrace my unique gifts, finding victory in my faith and prayers. By arming myself with trust in the Most High and the sling of prayer, I can face any challenge with courage and strength, knowing that I am not alone in my journey of faith.
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When First My Soul Enlisted – Hymn Lyric
When first my soul enlisted, my Savior’s foes to fight;
Mistaken friends insisted I was not arm’d aright.
So Saul advised David, he certainly would fail;
Nor could his life be saved without a coat of Mail.
But David tho’ he yielded to put the armor on,
Soon found he could not wield it and ventur’d forth with none.
With only sling and pebble, he fought the fight of faith;
The weapon seem’d but feeble, yet prov’d Goliah’s death.
Had I by him been guided and quickly thrown away
The armor men provided, I might have gain’d the day.
But arm’d as they advised me, my expectations fail’d;
The enemy surpris’d me, and had almost prevail’d.
Furnish’d with books and notions, and practis’d all my motions,
And Satan’s pow’r defi’d.
But soon perceiv’d with trouble, that these would do no good,
Iron to them is stubble, and brass like rotten wood.
I triumph’d at a distance, while he was out of sight;
But faint was my resistance when forc’d to join in fight.
He broke my sword in shivers, and pierc’d my boasted shield,
Laugh’d at my vain endeavors, and drove me from the field.
Satan will not be braved by such a worm as I;
Then let me learn with David, to trust in the Most High.
To plead the name of Jesus and use the sling of pray‘r;
Thus arm’d when Satan sees us, he’ll tremble, and despair.
Meaning of When First My Soul Enlisted
When we first begin our journey in faith, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed by the expectations and advice of those around us. Just like David faced doubts and pressure to wear armor that didn’t suit him, we too may feel pressured to conform to certain standards that don’t align with our true selves. But, just like David found success in embracing his unique strengths and trusting in the Lord, we too can find victory by being true to ourselves and relying on our faith.
Sometimes, the world may try to equip us with things that seem logical or necessary, like armor in a battle. But, as David discovered, sometimes the traditional weapons are not always the best fit for us. We may find ourselves weighed down by expectations or standards that aren’t meant for us, and it can hold us back from achieving our true potential. It’s important to remember that we are each uniquely made, with our own strengths and abilities that make us powerful in our own right.
Just like David chose to trust in his sling and pebble, we too can trust in the power of our prayers and faith. It may seem small or insignificant compared to the challenges we face, but in the hands of the Lord, even the smallest act of faith can lead to great victories. We may feel like we are facing insurmountable giants, like Goliath, in our lives, but with faith and trust in the Lord, we can overcome any obstacle that comes our way.
In our journey of faith, it’s important to remember that it is not about our own strength or abilities, but about trusting in the Most High. Just like David learned to lean on the Lord in times of trouble, we too can find strength and courage in our prayers and in the name of Jesus. When we arm ourselves with faith and trust in God, even the mightiest enemies, like Satan, will tremble at our presence.
So, let us learn from David’s example and embrace our unique strengths and gifts, trusting in the Lord to guide us in our battles. Let us not be swayed by the expectations of others or the pressures of the world, but stand firm in our faith and trust in the Most High. With the sling of prayer and the name of Jesus on our lips, we can face any challenge with courage and strength, knowing that we are not alone in our fight. Just like David, let us rely on the Lord to lead us to victory in our journey of faith.
I hope this hymn inspired image brings you hope and peace. Share it with someone who needs it today!
