November 30 - Morning"And Amaziah said to the man of God, But what shall we do for the hundred talents which I have given to the army of Israel? And the man of God answered, The Lord is able to give thee much more than this." — 2 Chronicles 25:9
A very important question this seemed to be to the king of Judah, and
possibly it is of even more weight with the tried and tempted O Christian.
To lose money is at no times pleasant, and when principle involves it, the
flesh is not always ready to make the sacrifice. "Why lose that which may
be so usefully employed? May not the truth itself be bought too dear?
What shall we do without it? Remember the children, and our small
income!" All these things and a thousand more would tempt the Christian
to put forth his hand to unrighteous gain, or stay himself from carrying out
his conscientious convictions, when they involve serious loss.
All men cannot view these matters in the light of faith; and even with the
followers of Jesus, the doctrine of "we must live" has quite sufficient weight.
The Lord is able to give thee much more than this is a very satisfactory
answer to the anxious question. Our Father holds the purse-strings, and
what we lose for His sake He can repay a thousand-fold. It is ours to obey
His will, and we may rest assured that He will provide for us. The Lord
will be no man's debtor at the last.
Saints know that a grain of heart's-ease
is of more value than a ton of gold. He who wraps a threadbare coat about
a good conscience has gained a spiritual wealth far more desirable than any
he has lost. God's smile and a dungeon are enough for a true heart; His
frown and a palace would be hell to a gracious spirit. Let the worst come
to the worst, let all the talents go, we have not lost our treasure, for that is
above, where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God. Meanwhile, even
now, the Lord maketh the meek to inherit the earth, and no good thing doth
He withhold from them that walk uprightly. November 30 - Evening"Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels." — Revelation 12:7
War always will rage between the two great sovereignties until one or other
be crushed. Peace between good and evil is an impossibility; the very
pretence of it would, in fact, be the triumph of the powers of darkness.
Michael will always fight; his holy soul is vexed with sin, and will not
endure it. Jesus will always be the dragon's foe, and that not in a quiet
sense, but actively, vigorously, with full determination to exterminate evil.
All His servants, whether angels in heaven or messengers on earth, will and
must fight; they are born to be warriors — at the cross they enter into
covenant never to make truce with evil; they are a warlike company, firm
in defence and fierce in attack. The duty of every soldier in the army of the
Lord is daily, with all his heart, and soul, and strength, to fight against the
dragon.
The dragon and his angels will not decline the affray; they are incessant in
their onslaughts, sparing no weapon, fair or foul. We are foolish to expect
to serve God without opposition: the more zealous we are, the more sure
are we to be assailed by the myrmidons of hell. The church may become
slothful, but not so her great antagonist; his restless spirit never suffers the
war to pause; he hates the woman's seed, and would fain devour the
church if he could. The servants of Satan partake much of the old dragon's
energy, and are usually an active race. War rages all around, and to dream
of peace is dangerous and futile.
Glory be to God, we know the end of the war. The great dragon shall be
cast out and for ever destroyed, while Jesus and they who are with Him
shall receive the crown. Let us sharpen our swords to-night, and pray the
Holy Spirit to nerve our arms for the conflict. Never battle so important,
never crown so glorious. Every man to his post, ye warriors of the cross,
and may the Lord tread Satan under your feet shortly! November 30 |