Evening, April 20, edited from Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening

“Fight the Lord’s battles.” — 1 Samuel 18:17

The ordained host of God’s elect is still warring on earth, Jesus Christ being the Captain of their salvation. He has said, “Lo! I am with you always, even to 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 the West the battle is turned against us, and unless the Lord Jesus shall lift his sword, we do not know what may become of the church of God in our lands; but let us be of good courage, and play the man. There never was a day when Christianity seemed to tremble more in the scales than now that a fierce effort is making to restore the Christ-less religions to their ancient seats. We greatly need a bold voice and a strong hand to preach and publish the tried and true gospel for which martyrs bled and believers died. The Savior 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 in doubt. 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 powerfully entreating for his people! O anxious onlooker, look not so much at the battle below, for there you shall be enshrouded in smoke, and stunned by garments rolled in blood; but lift your eyes to the heavens where the Savior 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 Savior’s atonement, by the bucks and by the does 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.”