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We Fight Life’s Battles in Christ’s Strength, December 4
Take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand
in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Ephesians 6:13
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Let everyone who names the name of Christ read this scripture again and
again, and then inquire, Am I clothed with the whole armor of God, that I may be
a successful colaborer with Christ? The more we know of ourselves, the more we
probe our motives and desires, the more heartfelt will be our consciousness of our
utter inability to fight the battle of the Lord in our Own strength....
Stablish your hearts in the belief that God knows of all the trials and difficulties
you will encounter in the warfare against evil; for God is dishonored when any
soul belittles His power by talking unbelief.
This world is God’s great field of labor; He has purchased those that dwell on
it with the blood of His only-begotten Son, and He means that His message of
mercy shall go to everyone. Those who are commissioned to do this work will be
tested and tried, but they are always to remember that God is near to strengthen
and uphold them. He does not ask us to depend upon any broken reed. We are not
to look for human aid. God forbid that we should place man where God should
be.... The Lord Jehovah is “everlasting strength.”
A lesson of faith is given us in the experience of Christ with the disciples
of John the Baptist. Imprisoned in the lonely dungeon, John had fallen into
discouragement, and he sent his disciples to Jesus, asking, “Art thou he that
should come, or do we look for another?” Christ knew on what errand these
messengers had come, and by a mighty demonstration of His power He gave them
unmistakable evidence of His divinity. Turning to the multitude, He spoke, and
the deaf heard His voice. He spoke again, and the eyes of the blind were opened
to behold the beauties of nature.... He put forth His hand, and at His touch the
fever left the afflicted ones. At His command demoniacs were healed, and falling
at His feet, worshipped Him. Then turning to the disciples of John, He said, “Go
and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see.”
That same Jesus who wrought those mighty works, is our Saviour today, and
is as willing to manifest His power on our behalf as He was in the behalf of John
the Baptist. When we are hedged about by adverse circumstances, surrounded by
difficulties which it seems impossible for us to surmount, we are not to murmur,
but to remember the past loving kindnesses of the Lord. Looking unto Jesus, the
Author and Finisher of our faith, we may endure as seeing Him who is invisible,
and this will keep our minds from being clouded by the shadow of unbelief.—
The
Signs of the Times, September 17, 1896
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