We rest on Thee, our Shield and our Defender

I cried a lot and while singing the will of my Lord is my strength. I love Him and being in so many hostil countries I feel safe because whatever happens to me, I always will be with Him and He always will be with me!

Oh our precious Master, our Author of salvation , Prince of glory, King of Love how we thank You from the depth of our heart . we are Your slaves of Love , Soldiers of Love to bring You back on this earth we long for this our dearest Beloved and Husband.

Edith Gilling Cherry was born February 9th, 1872 Plymouth, Devon, England and died August 29th, 1897. She was only 25 years old, yet in her short life she managed to write poetry and hymns which are still popular today.

Edith was stricken with polio in infancy and needed to walk with the aid of crutches for the rest of her life. At age 6, her only sister, fifteen months younger than she, died. At age 12, she suffered a stroke and on August 29, of 1897, Edith suffered another stroke that caused her early death. Just before passing, Edith and her mother exchanged this conversation “ It all seems so small, all I have tried to do , so small to Him”. Her mother replied “ There are your songs dear, they will carry on your work”. But Edith replied “Ah but they were not mine at all, they were just given to me all ready and all I had to do was write them down”. Her poetry book “The Master’s Touch and Other Poems” are selected poems from the writings of Edith G. Cherry by her mother Matilda Cherry.

The tune for this hymn was written by Finish composer Jean Sibelius (1865-1957). He wrote musical score for a historical tableaux in a pageant that celebrated and supported Finland’s press against Russian oppression.

This song was sung at my graduation from Bible College in 1966 - 52 years ago. The Lord brought it to my mind today from somewhere deep within my memory. So I looked it up online. Now retired from the ministry these words still move me deeply.

This hymn, sung by Jim Elliot, Nate Saint, Pete Fleming, Roger Youderian, and Ed McCully on the night before they were killed in the jungles of Ecuador, is a part of the musical, AT ANY COST.

This incident (Mid Century Martyrs was the title of the original film) had a great impact on me as a young Christian in my late teens. It influenced my interest and involvement in missionary work. I praise God for that and for the opportunity to be arranging currently for the stage version "Reckless Abandon" to be hosted at my church in Bream, Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire on Monday 11th June this year. We shall be singing this hymn then - and possibly before that too!

I wasn't around 60 years ago. The movie you're talking about, was that about the missionaries or about Eric Liddell? For the former, I was only aware of "Tte End of the Spear". For the latter, "Chariots of Fire."

Hallelujah they followed in the steps of their Saviour - I refer to the story of the missionaries who were murdered for the sake of the gospel. Literally without the shedding of blood man cannot be saved. Lord Jesus we praise You for Your precious death and the death of all the saints You gave their lives to bring others to faith. Lord these things are Your doing and they are marvelous in our eyes! Thank You Saviour God. Amen

I too saw the film when I was 12 years old. I am 73 years old now and I still remember the amazing words. What an awesome God we serve. And one day we shall see them.

Yes, what helpful and wonderful words. I think this was a favourite of Eric Liddell's too.