XXIV. Fighting the Fight. "THOU hast given a banner to them that fear Thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth."-PSALM 1x. 4. "FIGHT the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses."-1 TIMOTHY Vi. 12. BE fearless in the fight: Look round you-myriads stand Earth's star-crowned victor band. G TWENTY-FOURTH DAY. KNOW NOW we not that the scene around us is a battle-field, and that the Christian's life is one long-continued fight? There are the natural corruptions, and evil passions of our hearts, to combat with. There are foes, both within and without, to withstand. There are numerous doubts and fears, to vanquish. There are sins and temptations to overcome. Nor is this all. Strength from above must be sought for. "Who is sufficient for these things?" In every one of our undertakings, it is not merely knowledge, or skill, on our parts, but help from heaven that is most needed. The husbandman may till his ground properly; he may well weed it-well manure it-and sow the best grain; still, if there be not the dews from heaven, as well as the influence from beneath; if no refreshing rain upon the crops, the harvest will fail, and all the labour will have been in vain. So, in like manner, the Christian's spiritual labours must ever be accompanied by the power of God. In ancient poetry we have described to us a hero, who was attended by the goddess Minerva, and who, when his perils were the greatest, was constantly found near his side. the thickest of the fight she is pictured with her celestial armour on, warding off the fiery darts from the soldier, and giving him fresh courage to do great exploits on the battle-field. In Now, in the glorious truths of the Gospel we have the reality of all this,not the fiction. Jesus ever stands with His faithful warriors, and gives them His pledge of safety, even in the fiercest conflict with the wicked one. Only, the armour of His righteousness must be put on, and the helmet of His salvation must be used in the fight. Carnal weapons of warfare will be useless in this engagement. As David said of Saul's armour, we "cannot go with these." A celebrated warrior had an extraordinary mark of distinction and honour sent him by his king, as he lay upon his death-bed. "Alas!" said he, looking upon its rare colours, and glittering gems, with cold indifference, "you may tell his Majesty that this is a mighty fine thing in this country; but, I am just going to a country where it will be of no service to me." Let us then go forth in the armour of our Lord's righteousness; bearing high the shield of faith, and wielding the sword of the Spirit in His name; still believing that that blessed promise will be fulfilled in us, "My grace is sufficient for thee for my strength is made perfect in weakness." : AND now we fight the battle, And then we wear the crown Of full, and everlasting, And passionless renown! XXV. Obtaining the Victory. "THERE shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek and His rest shall be glorious.”ISAIAH xi. 10. "THANKS be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."- 1 CoRINTHIANS xv. 57. PUT off each cumbrous weight, Who would faith's victory win. With patience gird the soul, On, then, to victory, on ! |