Thus says the Lord: "Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls.
But they said, 'We will not walk in it.'" --Jeremiah 6:16

 

14 June, 2007   comments: (0) Classic Devotion   The Enemy Doesn't Grow Weary    Quoting William Gurnall . . . The persistence of the enemy requires perseverance. The devil never retreats or declares a truce. If an enemy repeatedly assaults a city and those within it cease to resist, you know who will win. The prophet who was sent to Bethel did his errand well and withstood Jeroboam's temptation. But on his way home he was drawn aside by the old prophet and at last slain by a lion (1 Kings 13). Thus many flee from one temptation, only to be vanquished by another. Many precious servants of God, not making such vigorous resistance in their last days as in their first, have fallen miserably, as we see in Solomon, Asa, and others. You know it is hard to hold anything in your hand for very long and not have your fingers grow numb. This is also true in a spiritual sense. Therefore, we are frequently admonished to hold fast the profession of our faith. And surely when we see our enemy always keeping watch to catch us when we fall, we will be challenged to strengthen our grip, not loosen it. Our eternal reward is contingent upon perseverance. The saint's crown stands at the goal; he who comes to the end of the race wins it. "To him that overcometh will I grant," says Christ (Revelation 3;21). In his letter to Timothy, Paul said, "I have fought a good fight...henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness" (2 Timothy 4:7-8). Why "henceforth"? Was it not laid up before? Yes, but having persevered and come within sight of home, ready to die, he now takes surer hold of the promise. Indeed, in this sense, a gracious soul is nearer his salvation after every victory than he was before, because he approaches nearer to the end of his race, which is the time for receiving his promised salvation (Romans 8:10). Then, and not until then, the garland will be placed on his head. From:  The Christian in Complete Armour, (year 1665)   Posted by: Jim B.   Link: http://www.oldtruth.com/blog.cfm/id.2.pid.718   Be the first to post a comment about this article        Home  |   About  |  Videos   |  Calvinism