Over the Top for Jesus

The battles of World War I were fought in a fashion that is unknown to us today. Airplanes were very new, small, and fragile. Their use in battle was in its infancy. The effective range of artillery was much less than our current laser guided systems. Battles were fought mostly in up close in hand to hand combat. The soldiers would be staged close to the battle in long trenches. These were dirty and disease ridden, but they offered some protection from the bullets of the enemy.

When it was time to fight, the command would be given to leave the trench and engage the enemy. To fight the battle, it was necessary to go "over the top". The soldiers would hear the bugle blast calling for the charge. With their rifles loaded and bayonets fixed, they would head toward the enemy, not knowing who would finish the battle unharmed and who would be wounded or killed.

In 1918, near the end of World War I a song was written entitled, "Over the Top for Jesus". It was written in march time. Today it seems quaint and disturbingly militaristic, but it contains a truth that cannot be denied. We are in a spiritual battle and we must be fearless as give our lives for the cause of Christ. We must be as Paul in believing that to live is Christ and to die is gain. This realization that we must be willing to sacrifice all to serve Christ is not a new idea. Previous generations understood it and lived it. It has been obscured by the temptations of comfort from time to time, but the message has been around for centuries and it can be found in songs from every generation.

Over The Top For Jesus
There’s a battle raging over the land and sea,
True to Christ our Captain we will be;
Satan’s hosts are mighty, fighting for ruin and sin,
But in this great conflict right is sure to win.

Refrain
Over the top for Jesus bravely we will go:
Over the top for Jesus, routing ev’ry foe,
Never delaying when we hear the bugle blow,
We’ll fight for right with all our might,As over the top we go.

There’s a cry of sorrow rising from hearts oppressed,
There’s a world in sadness and unrest;
But the hope that thrills us, looking out into the night,
Christ, the Lord of battles, leads me in the fight.
Refrain

When the pow’rs of earth before our Redeemer shall kneel,
When the joy of triumph we shall feel;
Then with Christ Who conquered, into the realms of the blest,
We shall march in vic’try to eternal rest.