Spurgeon: April PM
* 04/20/PM
"Fight the Lord's battles."
--1 Samuel 18:17
The sacramental host of God's elect is warring still on
earth, Jesus Christ being the Captain of their salvation. He has
said, "Lo! I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world."
Hark to the shouts of war! Now let the people of God stand fast
in their ranks, and let no man's heart fail him. It is true that
just now in England the battle is turned against us, and unless
the Lord Jesus shall lift His sword, we know not what may become
of the church of God in this land; but let us be of good
courage, and play the man. There never was a day when
Protestantism seemed to tremble more in the scales than now that
a fierce effort is making to restore the Romish antichrist to
his ancient seat. We greatly want a bold voice and a strong hand
to preach and publish the old gospel for which martyrs bled and
confessors died. The Saviour is, by His Spirit, still on earth;
let this cheer us. He is ever in the midst of the fight, and
therefore the battle is not doubtful. And as the conflict rages,
what a sweet satisfaction it is to know that the Lord Jesus, in
His office as our great Intercessor, is prevalently pleading for
His people! O anxious gazer, look not so much at the battle
below, for there thou shalt be enshrouded in smoke, and amazed
with garments rolled in blood; but lift thine eyes yonder where
the Saviour lives and pleads, for while He intercedes, the cause
of God is safe. Let us fight as if it all depended upon us, but
let us look up and know that all depends upon Him.
Now, by the lilies of Christian purity, and by the roses of
the Saviour's atonement, by the roes and by the hinds of the
field, we charge you who are lovers of Jesus, to do valiantly in
the Holy War, for truth and righteousness, for the kingdom and
crown jewels of your Master. Onward! "for the battle is not
yours but God's."