STAND UP

We will fight for freedom, we will fight the war
When enemies have vanished, they will be found
No more will they attack us, we stand up to fight
We will protect the nation, God is on our side

Stand up, stand up, stand up and fight
Stand up, stand up, stand up and fight

When darkness comes against us, the battle is the Lord’s
We are true to You, victory is assured
You are sovereign General, You know how to fight
We seek You in the morning, praise You in the night

Devoted to Your purpose, a charge for God to keep
We focus on the mission, though the path is steep
We bow down in prayer, You alone know the way
You give us strength and courage, we march to victory

Let freedom ring!

I am a civilian wife and mother, not a music professional or a member of the military. The Holy Spirit led me to compose and record STAND UP along with a choir representing past, present and future branches of the armed forces to encourage those fighting the War on Terror. We must stand up and fight, remembering the battle is the Lord’s. If you are a family member or are in the battle, contact me for original worship music created to help us draw closer to God, stay tight with Him, and receive His strength and wisdom in order to better persevere, be victorious, and overcome (even when nothing makes sense or there is a sense of unworthiness). God bless you! We remain the land of the free only because of the brave.

~ Elizabeth Fulgaro, Armed Forces Day, May 19, 2007

INSPIRATIONAL: Most of these excerpts to, about, and from God were written by David, a mighty warrior who understood the challenges of war.

I love you, O Lord, my strength… My God is my rock in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call to the Lord who is worthy of praise and I am saved from my enemies… He rescued me from… my foes who were too strong for me… My God turns my darkness into light. With your help, I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall… For who is God besides the Lord?... It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect… He trains my hands for battle; my arm can bend a bow of bronze. You give me your shield of victory, and your right hand sustains me… You broaden the path beneath me, so that my ankles do not turn… You armed me with strength for battle; you made my adversaries bow at my feet… He is the one who avenges me… who saves me from my enemies… (Ps. 18)… I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings… I cry out to God Most High… who fulfills His purpose for me. (Ps. 57)

My soul finds rest in God alone… (Ps. 62) You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing… I will praise the Lord who counsels me… You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. (Ps. 16) When I am afraid, I will trust in you… What can mortal humans do to me?... (Ps. 56) I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. (Ps. 4) In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice… I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation. You are not a God who takes pleasure in evil, with you the wicked cannot dwell. The arrogant cannot stand in your presence; you hate all who do wrong. But I, by your great mercy, will come into your house; in reverence I will bow down… (Ps. 5)

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love… Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin… Against you… have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight… Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit… (Ps. 51) Teach me your way, O Lord… give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. (Ps. 86)

The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love… He does not treat us as our sins deserve… (Ps. 103) …the Lord says… Fear not, for I have redeemed you… you are mine… Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!... I… am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more. (Isa. 43) So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am Your God. I will strengthen you and help you… (Isa. 41) Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know. (Jer. 33:3) For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me, and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. (Jer. 29)… I will not forget you. See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands… (Isa. 49)

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16)

…those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength (Isa. 40:31)