Morning, June 8

Warrior, fighting under the banner of the Lord Jesus, observe this verse with holy joy, for as it was in the days of old so is it now, if the war is of God—the victory is sure. The sons of Reuben, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh could barely muster forty-five thousand fighting men, and yet in their war with the Hagrites, they slew "a hundred thousand men," "for they cried to God in the battle, and He was entreated of them, because they put their trust in Him."

The Lord saves not by many nor by few; it is ours to go forth in Jehovah's name if we be but a handful of men, for the Lord Almighty is with us for our Captain. They did not neglect shield, and sword, and bow, neither did they place their trust in these weapons; we must use all fitting means—but our confidence must rest in the Lord alone, for He is the sword and the shield of His people.

The great reason of their extraordinary success lay in the fact that "God was fighting against them." Beloved, in fighting with sin without and within, with error doctrinal or practical, with spiritual wickedness in high places or low places, with devils and the devil's allies—you are waging Jehovah's war, and unless He himself can be conquered, you need not fear defeat. Do not cringe before superior numbers, do not shrink from difficulties or impossibilities, do not flinch at wounds or death; smite with the two-edged sword of the Spirit, and the slain shall lie in heaps! The battle is the Lord's and He will deliver His enemies into our hands. With steadfast foot, strong hand, dauntless heart, and flaming zeal—rush to the conflict, and the armies of evil shall fly like chaff before the gale.

Stand up! stand up for Jesus!
The strife will not be long;
This day the noise of battle,
The next the victor’s song:
To him that overcometh,
A crown of life shall be;
He with the King of glory
Shall reign eternally.

Courtesy of Grace Gems! Used by permission.