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O God! Help Me to Higher Levels, April 11
Growing in Grace
Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the
earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me
to the rock that is higher than I. For thou hast been a shelter for
me, and a strong tower from the enemy.
Psalm 61:1-3
Have you ever watched a hawk in pursuit of a timid dove? Instinct
has taught the dove that in order for the hawk to seize his prey, he must
gain a loftier flight than his victim. So she rises higher and still higher
into the blue dome of heaven, ever pursued by the hawk, which is seeking
to obtain the advantage. But in vain. The dove is safe as long as she
allows nothing to stop her in her flight, or draw her earthward; but let her
once falter, and take a lower flight, and her watchful enemy will swoop
down upon his victim. Again and again have we watched this scene with
almost breathless interest, all our sympathies with the little dove. How
sad we should have felt to see it fall a victim to the cruel hawk!
We have before us a warfare—a lifelong conflict with Satan and
his seductive temptations. The enemy will use every argument, every
deception, to entangle the soul; and in order to win the crown of life, we
must put forth earnest, persevering effort. We must not lay off the armor
or leave the battlefield until we have gained the victory, and can triumph
in our Redeemer.
As long as we continue to keep our eyes fixed upon the Author and
Finisher of our faith we shall be safe. But our affections must be placed
upon things above, not on things on the earth. By faith we must rise
higher and still higher in the attainments of the graces of Christ. By daily
contemplating His matchless charms, we must grow more and more into
His glorious image. While we thus live in communion with Heaven,
Satan will lay his nets for us in vain.
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