the Third Week after Easter
Daily Devotionals
Golden Treasury
If a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned except he strive lawfully. 2 Timothy 2:5. Namely, in faith, by which we have victory. And as the enemies return again and again, and always become more crafty and more strong, we must continually be in arms. Until now, the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence. Matthew 11:12.
If those cannot expect to be crowned, who strive, but not lawfully, what must become of those who do not strive at all!
O Lord, strengthen me, therefore, to get the victory, for it greatly exalts thy glory, if the power of mine enemies is broke; and the least degree of thy grace and strength, is able to overcome the greatest power of sin at last, which is thy promise, and cannot fail of being performed, since in the former, there is the promise of life, and growth, whilst the latter is condemned to death, and actually dies, more and more, if nailed to the cross of Christ.
Stand up, my soul, shake off thy fears,
And gird the gospel armour on,
March to the gates of endless joy.
Where thy great Captain, Saviour’s gone.
What though the prince of darkness rage,
And waste the fury of his spite.
Eternal chains confine him down
To fiery deeps and endless night.
What though thine inward lusts rebel?
’Tis but a struggling gasp for life;
The weapons of victorious grace
Shall slay thy sins and end the strife.
