Fire in our hearts - The Jesus Army

FIRE IN OUR HEARTSAWAKE O ZION!ver lamb had been slain to take a people from Egypt, so Jesushad covenanted in his blood to take a people from the world,and make them one heart and soul.One old hymn became a favourite at this time: ‘Twixt Jesusand the chosen race, Subsists a bond of sovereign grace...’‘You know, bro,’ said Pete Matt to Noel one morning, ‘whenI see these young folk singing old hymns about the covenant— the amazing thing is, they understand them!’It was true. The freaks had come a long way from Jesusshouts, long hair and hippy placards. The straights had comeeven further from their British independence! We were discoveringthe powerful realities of covenant brotherhood. Towardsthe end of the fortnight we stood up to pledge our loyaltyto God and one another.‘Let King Jesus reign!’ we shouted, echoing the cry of theScottish Covenanters. We admired their zeal for brotherhood,but not for war! We determined to follow God, and stand forthe precious truths of covenant and community.By November we had purchased a builders yard in Towcesterand created Towcester Building Supplies. Another house wasopened in nearby Pattishall and renamed Festal Grange. Wewere in a confident mood. Steve ‘Faithful’s’ dad, Lionel, capturedthese events in heroic metre:What promise lies within this regal place?This home of kings, this ‘palace’ of God’s art,Where each true member of this chosen race,Will, for his brother, purify his heart.165