the Fourth Week after Easter
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Daily Devotionals
John Gossner's Treasury
But as for us, the Lord is our God, and we have not forsaken him. And behold, God himself is with us for our captain, and his priests. 2 Chronicles 13:10-12. Through God we shall do valiantly; for he it is that shall tread down our enemies. Psalms 108:13. If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, when men rose up against us; then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us: then the waters had overwhelmed us, the stream had gone over our soul. Psalms 124:2-4.
The narrative of Abijah’s war against Jeroboam deserves to be read as recorded in the chapter referred to (2 Ch. 13). Abijah, with four hundred thousand men, conquered Jeroboam with eight hundred thousand men. For the latter had cast out the priests of the Lord and introduced idolatry. Abijah could say, "God Himself is with us for our captain, and His priests. " The One is stronger than eight hundred thousand men. He who has God on his side, as the captain of his forces, will always conquer, even though he succumb. As in the battles of this world, so, and much more so, in the spiritual battle against the flesh, the world, and the devil; though sin, evil desires, Satan, the enemies of Christ and the truth, persecute us and reinforce themselves with all the powers of hell, yet they are unable to conquer us if Christ be with us and in us. But he who forsakes the Lord and seeks other protection will be vanquished. The Lord alone is strong and valiant in this war. He alone is able to conquer. Let no man depend upon his own arm. Give up all hopes of self and cling to the Lord. Through God we shall do valiantly and tread down our enemies. The Almighty, the Invincible, the All-conquering, is with us. He is our buckler and defence; who, then, can be against us? Let it be true that the Lord is with us and that we are with Him. Let it not only be a thought and a fancy; an imaginary appropriation of the protection of God does not protect us against a single enemy, much less against thousands. If the Lord be with you, you must be with Him, and remain in Him, through faith, hope and love, through heartfelt, continuous communion and prayer. In this fortress you must constantly remain; for if the enemy find you outside of it, you are lost.
If dangers gather round.
Still keep me calm and fearless;
Help me to bear the cross,
When life is dark and cheerless;
To overcome my foe
With words and actions kind;
When counsel I would know,
Good counsel let me find.
