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Our Sure Defense, December 7
Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep
thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the
world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
Revelation 3:10
.
Satan is now more earnestly engaged in playing the game of life for
souls than at any previous time; and unless we are constantly on our guard,
he will establish in our hearts, pride, love of self, love of the world, and
many other evil traits. He will also use every possible device to unsettle
our faith in God and in the truths of His Word. If we have not a deep
experience in the things of God, if we have not a thorough knowledge of
His Word, we shall be beguiled to our ruin by the errors and sophistries
of the enemy. False doctrines will sap the foundations of man, because
they have not learned to discern truth from error. Our only safeguard
against the wiles of Satan is to study the Scriptures diligently, to have
an intelligent understanding of the reasons of our faith, and faithfully to
perform every known duty. The indulgence of one known sin will cause
weakness and darkness and subject us to fierce temptation....
Are our supplications ascending to God in living faith? Are we open-
ing the door of the heart to Jesus and closing every means of entrance to
Satan? Are we daily obtaining clearer light and greater strength, that we
may stand in Christ’s righteousness? Are we emptying our hearts of all
selfishness, and cleansing them, preparatory to receiving the latter rain
from heaven?
Now is the time when we are to confess and forsake our sins, that they
may go beforehand to judgment and be blotted out. Now is the time to
“cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting
holiness in the fear of God” (
2 Corinthians 7:1
). It is dangerous to delay
this work. Satan is even now seeking by disasters upon sea and land to
seal the fate of as many as possible. What is the defense of the people
of God at this time? It is a living connection with heaven. If we would
dwell in safety from the noisome pestilence, if we would be preserved
from dangers seen and unseen, we must hide in God; we must secure the
protecting care of Jesus and holy angels.
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