The Moment to Decide
“Once to every man and nation,
Comes the moment to decide,
In the strife of truth with falsehood,
For the good or evil side…”
— James Russell Lowell
There comes a time in every life, and indeed in every nation, when the veil is lifted and the truth demands a response. The stirring hymn “Once to Every Man and Nation” by James Russell Lowell is not just a poetic reflection; it is a prophetic call to moral courage. Set to the tune Ebenezer by Thomas J. Williams, the hymn has echoed through generations as a challenge to stand for what is right—especially when doing so is costly.
Originally penned in 1845 as part of a protest against the Mexican-American War, Lowell’s words cut deeper than any political context. They draw from eternal truths of Scripture, challenging individuals and societies to choose between justice and compromise, between God’s truth and the world’s falsehood.
1. A Defining Moment for Every Soul
The hymn opens with a timeless truth: that each person, and each generation, faces a decisive moment. In Scripture, we see this pattern again and again:
- Joshua’s challenge: “Choose this day whom you will serve” (Joshua 24:15).
- Elijah’s plea: “How long will you waver between two opinions?” (1 Kings 18:21).
- Jesus’ own words: “Whoever is not with me is against me” (Matthew 12:30).
There is no neutral ground when the conflict between truth and falsehood becomes clear.
2. Truth Forever on the Scaffold
Lowell famously writes:
“Though the cause of evil prosper,
Yet ’tis truth alone is strong;
Though her portion be the scaffold,
And upon the throne be wrong…”
These lines echo the biblical theme that righteousness often suffers while evil seems to triumph—yet only for a time. Jesus Himself stood before Pilate, condemned though innocent, as truth incarnate sentenced by lies. The early Church faced persecution. The prophets were rejected. But in God’s kingdom, apparent defeat often hides ultimate victory.
Paul reminds us: “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed… struck down, but not destroyed” (2 Corinthians 4:8–9). Truth may be on the scaffold, but God is not absent. “Behind the dim unknown, standeth God within the shadow, keeping watch above His own.”
3. The High Cost of Discipleship
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who chose to resist Hitler and paid with his life, often spoke of “the cost of discipleship.” In a time of widespread compromise, he chose the narrow path. So did Moses, who “chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin” (Hebrews 11:25).
The hymn compels us to consider: What am I standing for? What am I willing to sacrifice for truth?
4. God’s Side is Always Right
The final verse of the hymn (often omitted in modern hymnals) boldly proclaims:
“By the light of burning martyrs,
Christ, Thy bleeding feet we track,
Toiling up new Calvaries ever
With the cross that turns not back…”
This is a call to follow Christ wherever He leads—even through suffering and death. The narrow way is costly, but it leads to life.
Conclusion: The Time is Now
James Russell Lowell’s hymn is more than a relic of history—it’s a trumpet blast in a world of moral confusion. The decision to stand for truth is never theoretical. It comes to us in boardrooms, classrooms, living rooms, and courtrooms. It comes in how we treat the poor, how we speak up for the voiceless, how we live with integrity when no one is watching.
When that moment comes—and it will—may we be found faithful. May we be counted among those who “overcame by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony” (Revelation 12:11).
Prayer:
Lord, give me the wisdom to discern truth from falsehood, and the courage to choose what is right—even when it costs. Strengthen me with Your Spirit to stand firm, knowing You are with me in the fire. Help me live a life of quiet, uncompromising faithfulness to You. Amen.
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