This song was neat to work on. Angela Trenholm and her daughter had written three stanzas for an upcoming Missions Conference. I was listening as they were starting to put together the chorus, as we were riding to church – then all three of us finished the chorus, and I think it was that night that I came up with the other three stanzas. If you know the song for the tune that we used, you will realize that I added a little reference to it in one of the stanzas – it certainly fit! John R. Rice’s Song is great and I have heard Angela sing it as a special in church. But this song was a special treat – because I had a part in it. Another bonus was the fact that my sister, whom I hadn’t seen in five years, was able to be here for the special that Angela and Sarah sang in church. It was definitely a blessing to hear the finished product, and to see the glow on my sister’s face when she said, “Wow, that really got my attention! You had a part in writing that? That song was so wonderful!”
For Such A Time As This
(To the tune of So Little Time by John R. Rice)
1. Esther was called to plead for her people.
Fear gripped her heart; Mordecai reminded her:
Twas her life too that now hung in the balance,
And she was given the king’s ear for this cause.
Despite her fears, boldly she went before the throne,
To plead the cause of her people before the king.
As she drew near, his favor was extended,
Grace was given, for such a time as this.
Chorus:
For such a time as this we have been called,
To preach the Gospel to a dying world.
How will they hear, except that we obey Him?
For such a time, for such a time as this.
2. Stand in the gap, petition for the lost world.
Snatch from the fire, rescue souls bound by their sin.
Break the chains of darkness that’s enslaved them.
Proclaim the truth in Jesus’ blessed name.
So as you stand in the place that God has given you,
Do not fear, He’s standing by your side,
And He will give the grace that you require,
As He promised, for such a time as this.
Chorus
3. So little time, the day of grace is fading.
The sands of time are slipping through our hands.
Hold forth the Word, the Gospel of Salvation,
Lest you have their blood upon your hands.
Have compassion, our loved ones need the Saviour.
Let it not be said, “No man cared for my soul.”
Lift up your eyes, the field is white to harvest,
For such a time, for such a time as this.
Last Chorus:
For such a time as this we have been called,
To preach the Gospel to a dying world.
How will they hear, except that we obey Him?
Oh will you go, for such a time as this?
Sarah & Angela Trenholm and Jerry Bouey
April 2005
Esther 4:14 For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?
The Trenholms actually sang a shorter version of this song in church in 2005; due to time restraints, we combined the middle two stanzas.
Another praise item: this song was the theme song for our 2008 Missions Conference. The fourth and fifth verses were omitted, but the others are sung – two verses, then the chorus, two more verses, then the final chorus. It is a dream come true for me – to have a part in a song that others sang in church.
For Such A Time As This
(To the tune of So Little Time by John R. Rice)
(Missions Conference Version)
1. Esther was called to plead for her people.
Fear gripped her heart; Mordecai reminded her:
Twas her life too that now hung in the balance,
And she was given the king’s ear for this cause.
Despite her fears, boldly she went before the throne,
To plead the cause of her people before the king.
As she drew near, his favor was extended,
Grace was given, for such a time as this.
Chorus:
For such a time as this we have been called,
To preach the Gospel to a dying world.
How will they hear, except that we obey Him?
For such a time, for such a time as this.
2. So little time, the day of grace is fading.
The sands of time are slipping through our hands.
Hold forth the Word, the Gospel of Salvation,
Lest you have their blood upon your hands.
So as you stand in the place that God has given you,
And you hold, God’s Word in your hands;
Do not forget, all those who’ve yet to see it,
Do what you can, to place one in their hands.
Chorus
4. Step out by faith, to see what God would have you do,
For the priceless worth, of even one lost soul.
And He will give the grace that you require.
To be exchanged for riches up in glory.
Stand in the gap, petition for the lost world.
Snatch from the fire, rescue souls bound by their sin.
Break the chains of darkness that’s enslaved them.
Proclaim the truth in Jesus’ blessed name.
Chorus
Final Chorus:
For such a time as this we have been called,
To give the Gospel to a dying world.
How will they hear, except that we obey Him?
Oh will you go, for such a time as this?
Sarah & Angela Trenholm and Jerry Bouey
April 2005