1 The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When the wicked advance against me to devour[a] me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall. 3 Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident.
4 One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. 5 For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock.
6 Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord.
A song that has become more popular over the years
Bart Millard penned a megahit in 2001 when he wrote, “I Can Only Imagine.” The song pictures how amazing it will be to be in Christ’s presence. Millard’s lyrics offered comfort to our family that next year when our seventeen-year-old daughter, Melissa, died in a car accident and we imagined what it was like for her to be in God’s presence.
But imagine spoke to me in a different way in the days following Mell’s death. As fathers of Melissa’s friends approached me, full of concern and pain, they said, “I can’t imagine what you’re going through.”
Their expressions were helpful, showing that they were grappling with our loss in an empathetic way—finding it unimaginable.
David pinpointed the depth of great loss when he described walking through “the darkest valley” (Psalm 23:4). The death of a loved one certainly is that, and we sometimes have no idea how we’re going to navigate the darkness. We can’t imagine ever being able to come out on the other side.
But as God promised to be with us in our darkest valley now, He also provides great hope for the future by assuring us that beyond the valley we’ll be in His presence. For the believer, to be “away from the body” means being present with Him (2 Corinthians 5:8). That can help us navigate the unimaginable as we imagine our future reunion with Him and others.
“Lord, There Are Times” is a beautiful and reflective song composed by Geoffrey Nobes, who has a long-standing association with The Salvation Army. The song is often performed by Salvation Army bands and choirs and is cherished for its heartfelt lyrics and soothing melody.
The song’s lyrics speak to the struggles and challenges that people face in their daily lives and how they can find comfort and strength in their faith. Nobes’ composition is known for its emotional depth and spiritual resonance, making it a favorite among many worshippers.
The tune “Lavenham” is often associated with this song, and it has been arranged and performed by various Salvation Army music groups. Geoffrey Nobes has dedicated this arrangement to the memory of his friend, Bandmaster Derek Wilding of Lavenham Corps.
William Booth was born in Nottingham on 10 April 1829, the son of Samuel Booth and his second wife Mary (nee Moss), both from Derbyshire.
It was in the open street that this great change passed over me.
Birth and parentage
William Booth was born in Nottingham on 10 April 1829 and had three sisters Ann, Emma and Mary and an elder brother, Henry, who died on his own second birthday. Writing about his father, William said: “My father was a Grab, a Get. He had been born into poverty. He determined to grow rich; and he did. He grew very rich, because he lived without God and simply worked for money; and when he lost it all, his heart broke with it, and he died miserably.”
Pawnbrokers’ Apprenticeship and death of his father
In 1842, when he was aged 13, his father sent him to work as an apprentice to Francis Eames in a pawnbroker’s shop situated in the poorest part of Nottingham. He disliked his job, but it was through this work that his social conscience was stirred and he became aware of the plight of the poor.
In September that same year, his father Samuel became ill and died, though not before making a death-bed repentance. Shortly after, his mother had to leave her the house in Sneinton for a small shop in one of the poor quarters of Nottingham where she earnt a meagre income selling toys, needles, cotton and the like.
Methodism and conversion
It was at this time that William started attending Broad Street Wesley Chapel (Methodist) and in 1844 he had a conversion experience, noting that: “It was in the open street [of Nottingham] that this great change passed over me”.
In 1846 he was impressed by the preaching of the Reverend James Caughey from America and David Greenbury from Scarborough. Encouraged by Greenbury he joined a group of fellow believers who preached in the streets. He delivered his first sermon in Kid Street.
Eventually Booth stopped working at the Pawnbrokers and was out of work for a year.
Marriage
In 1849 William moved to London to find work, briefly returning to pawnbroking but also joining a chapel in Clapham. Through this church he was introduced to his future wife, Catherine Mumford. After becoming an evangelist in the Methodist New Connexion, they married on 16 July 1855, forming a formidable and complimentary lifelong partnership.
Following a brief honeymoon, he was appointed to circuits in Halifax and Gateshead. But, finding this structure restrictive and feeling himself called to itinerant evangelism, he resigned in 1861.
The Christian Mission
Four years later William and Catherine moved to London. It was here that William commenced his first open air evangelistic campaign in Whitechapel, preaching in a tent. This ministry led to the formation of The Christian Mission, with Booth as its leader.
In 1878 The Christian Mission was renamed The Salvation Army. ‘General Booth’, as he was now known, summed up the purpose of this body in the following way: “We are a salvation people – this is our speciality – getting saved and keeping saved, and then getting somebody else saved.” But there was to be frequent opposition to the Army’s methods and principles in its early years.
In Darkest England
After suffering from cancer, Catherine Booth was ‘promoted to Glory’ on 4 October 1890, leaving a significant void in William’s life. In the same month Booth published his major social manifesto, ‘In Darkest England and the Way Out’. He explored various far-reaching ideas, such as providing hostels, employment centres and helping young men learn agricultural trades before emigrating.
Thereafter Booth turned back to preaching and evangelism, with day-to-day administration of the Army passing to his oldest son, Bramwell. The years that followed were difficult ones for William. He had to deal with three of his children leaving The Salvation Army and one dying in a train crash.
Motor Tours
In August 1904 William Booth, always eager to make use of new technology, commenced his first motor tour, travelling from Land’s End to Aberdeen. Six more motor tours followed. Then in the spring of 1905, en route to Australia and New Zealand, General William Booth visited the Holy Land, where he visited many sites of biblical significance.
On his return he was honoured by being given the Freedom of the cities of London and Nottingham. Amongst many other honours, Booth was also awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Civil Law from Oxford University.
Though his eyesight started failing at this stage in his life, it didn’t prevent him from conducting campaigns, with his last trip abroad being to Norway in 1912.
The General lays down his sword
On 17 August 1912, The War Cry reported that the General was “not so well.” Three days later, on 20 August at 10.13 p.m, and following a terrific thunderstorm – as had occurred just prior to the passing of the Army Mother 22 years before – “the old warrior finally laid down his sword”.
In accordance with a widely felt desire, the body of the General lay pavilioned in state at The Congress Hall, Clapton, on the Friday, Saturday and Monday following his passing, when some 150,000 grief-stricken people passed the bier to gaze upon the ivory-like features of “the world’s best-loved man.” The Mayor of South Shields had described him as “The Archbishop of the World.”
A public memorial service was arranged at Olympia on the following Wednesday (28 August 1912), when 35,000 people attended, including Queen Alexandra, who came incognito, and representatives of King George V and Queen Mary. The procession took twenty minutes to pass down the long-extended central aisle.
The funeral was conducted by the new General, Bramwell Booth, at 3.00 p.m. on 29 August, at Abney Park Cemetery, Stoke Newington. The heart of London stood still for nearly four hours as the lengthy procession of some 7,000 Salvationists, including forty bands, wended its five-mile way through densely crowded streets from the Victoria Embankment, no fewer than 580 City and 2,370 Metropolitan police being on duty. The estranged Catherine Booth-Clibborn and Herbert Booth were among the mourners, and Ballington Booth and his wife sent a telegram of love and sympathy.
Bramwell Booth delivered a striking address at the graveside, in the course of which he said: “If you were to ask me, I think I could say that the happiest man I ever knew was the General. He was a glad spirit. He rose up on the crest of the stormy billows, and praised God, and laughed at the Devil’s rage, and went on with his work with joy.”
His legacy was a Salvation Army that numbered 15,875 officers and cadets, operating in 58 lands.
The hymn “Kneeling in Penitence” is a heartfelt prayer acknowledging human weaknesses, owning up to failures, and seeking pardon. It was written by Generals John Gowans and John Larson of The Salvation Army. The hymn is often sung by young Salvationists while their leader kneels in penitence to acknowledge his past failure to rely on God’s strength.
It’s a powerful reminder of humility and the importance of seeking forgiveness.
John Burton, the author, spent much of his life working with young people and writing for them. He was born in Stratford, England, in 1803 and worked as a basketmaker and cooper (barrel maker) for about fifty years. He was a church deacon and a Sunday School teacher. He had hymns published in several collections: The Evangelical Magazine,The Child’s Companion and other periodicals, as well as The Union Hymn Book for Scholars . His own publications were One Hundred Original Hymns for the Young, Hymns for Little Children, and The Book of Psalms in English Verse . Burton died in his home town of Stratford in 1877. He should not be confused with a slightly older John Burton, from Nottingham, England, who also taught Sunday School and wrote children’s hymns. Another person, C.W. Burton, wrote words very similar to these, but no biographical information is available. Perhaps they are the same person!
WORDS: JOHN BURTON, JR.; MUSIC: (TUNE – SOUTH SHIELDS) GEORGE MARSHALL
Saviour, while my heart is tender, I would yield that heart to Thee; All my powers to Thee surrender, Thine and only Thine to be. Take me now, Lord Jesus, take me; Let my youthful heart be Thine; Thy devoted servant make me; Fill my soul with love divine.
Send me, Lord, where Thou wilt send me, Only do Thou guide my way; May Thy grace through life attend me – Gladly then shall I obey. Let me do Thy will or bear it, I would know no will but Thine; Shouldst Thou take my life or spare it, I that life to Thee resign.
May this solemn consecration Never once forgotten be; Let it know no alteration, Registered, confirmed by Thee. Thine I am, O Lord, forever, To Thy service set apart; Suffer me to leave Thee never, Seal Thine image on my heart.
Did you make this commitment and consecration of your life to the Lord as a young person? What would your evaluation be now? If you are a young person reading this, may you indeed find the joy that such a commitment can bring. If you are older, you can still surrender to the purposes God has for you and perhaps find new meaning in the coming days.
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