We’ve all been touched and moved by the words of others:
- A speech by our favorite political icon
- A sermon by our favorite preacher
- A lecture by our favorite professor
- Or, the charisma of our favorite actor.
Their words captured our imagination, transported us to another world. Their words made us feel like we could change the world, even if it meant laying down our very lives.
My personal favorite is Mel Gibson in Braveheart:
They can take our lives, but they will never take our freedom.
Similarly, when we look at scriptures, we find some incredibly moving rally cries. Defining moments that moved a generation. Here are my personal favorites. I hope you find them compelling as I do.
Elijah Generation
“Then Elijah stood in front of them and said, “How much longer will you waver, hobbling between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him! But if Baal is God, then follow him!” But the people were completely silent… Elijah the prophet walked up to the altar and prayed, “O LORD, prove today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant… Immediately the fire of the LORD flashed down from heave… And when all the people saw it, they fell face down on the ground and cried out, “The LORD —he is God! Yes, the LORD is God!””
1 Kings 18:21, 36-39 NLT
Joshua Generation
“Choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the LORD.””
Joshua 24:15 NLT
Jabez Generation
“Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request.”
1 Chronicles 4:10 NIV
Esther Generation
“Don’t think for a moment that because you’re in the palace you will escape when all other Jews are killed. If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?””
Esther 4:13, 14 NLT
Wisdom Generation
“Wisdom cries aloud in the street, in the markets she raises her voice; at the head of the noisy streets she cries out; at the entrance of the city gates she speaks: “How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge? If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you.”
Proverbs 1:20-23 ESV
Ruth Generation
“But Ruth replied, “Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. Wherever you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD punish me severely if I allow anything but death to separate us!””
Ruth 1:16-17 NLT
Ezekiel Generation
“He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” I said, “Sovereign Lord, you alone know.” Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.’ ” So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone. I looked, and tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them. Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to it, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Come, breath, from the four winds and breathe into these slain, that they may live.’ ” So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army.”
Ezekiel 37:3-10 NIV
Isaiah Generation
“In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory. Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!””
Isaiah 6:1-3, 8 NIV
Micah Generation
“He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?”
Micah 6:8 NKJV
Zerubabel Generation
“So he answered and said to me: “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the LORD of hosts. ‘Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain! And he shall bring forth the capstone With shouts of “Grace, grace to it!” ’ ””
Zechariah 4:6-7 NKJV
Share your most compelling rally cry from scripture. Or you can share a moment when the words of someone moved you in a compelling way.
Walter Bright 
I found you over at “Another red Letter Day.” Thanks for posting. I really am inspired by all of these rallying cries but I think the one that resonates the most currently is from Joshua. AS I watch acquaintances and loved ones leave the household of faith I find myself continually saying, “No matter what anyone else chooses, as for me and my house we will serve the Lord.”
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Hey Joseph, I love visiting “Another red letter day.” Thanks for stopping by. You know, every body starts strong, but not many finish strong. And Joshua did. That is very inspirational to me. I’m glad you liked the post. I’ll see you on your blog.
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Inspirational post Walter. You referenced a lot of great passages. I haven’t thought about Jabez in a long time — it might be good to think about him again.
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Hey Dale,
Thanks!
I often think about him as a “nobody whose story inspires everybody about the grace and favor of somebody (God).
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Check title spelling sir. Great job!
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thank you very much
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I had forgotten the end of the Isaiah section. Isaiah answers the the call to serve with “Here am I. Send me!” I hope I answer the call as he did.
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Reblogged this on Another Red Letter Day.
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Great title for a post and excellent selections. With each one the details of the event of which it is the key dramatic moment are recalled and come to life. “I will meditate on your wonderful works!” – Thanks for the post. .
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Awesome comment… Stay blessed!
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A wonderful post, Walter!
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Glad it was a blessing… thanks for the feedback
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Isaiah 50:7-8 King James Version (KJV)
7 For the Lord God will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.
8 He is near that justifieth me; who will contend with me? let us stand together: who is mine adversary? let him come near to me.
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Psalm 23King James Version (KJV)
23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
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Psalm 51King James Version (KJV)
51 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.
15 O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.
16 For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
18 Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.
19 Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.
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Isaiah 43King James Version (KJV)
43 But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.
2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
3 For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.
Glad to share the word of the Lord Walter. Thanks for the opportunity. These are a few of His mighty words that stir my heart. I hope they encourage others. The LORD make His face shine on you, And be gracious to you; The LORD bless you, and keep you; The LORD make His face shine on you, And be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance on you, And give you peace.’…
Blessings to you
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Awesome
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