May 17 AM

So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him (or chase him away). Isa. 59:19.

When a poor sinner knows what human nature is, and sees his brethren and companions after the flesh, "living without Christ and without God in the world;" making a mock at sin, and ridiculing the truths and ways of Jesus; and finds his own heart touched with a holy, loving fear of the Lord, then he is ready to cry out, Whence is this? He can only say, 'Grace reigneth; the sun of righteousness hath risen upon me. So Lord, it seemeth good in thy sight—I have not deserved this— thou hast spoken in truth, and fulfilled in faithfulness. So thy word runs, so thy gospel is glorified, free as the sun, powerful as the wind.' Jehovah's SHALLS are his people's triumphs. Here are two most absolute declarations for faith to fix upon and plead, in any hour of Satan's attack.

For as sure as the fear of the Lord shall be in our hearts, so also shall the enemy oppose us; for if he dare plead with the Saviour, "Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captive be delivered?" Isa. 49:24. Verily he will follow after his once seized prey, and strive to regain his ransomed captive; yea he will challenge the poor sinner as being his property. One would be ready to ask, Is it not strange that the loving, almighty Saviour suffers the enemy, like a surly dog, to snap and snarl at his dear children, and be ready to tear their victuals out of their hands, and his peace and love out of their hearts? No: it cannot be otherwise in our present state; for we are clothed with an earthly, sensual, devilish nature, to which Satan has easy access.

Humble souls have little reason to complain that they have not known so great a degree of wrath, nor have been terrified with such dreadful apprehensions of hell and damnation as some others. O rather love and praise Jesus, if thy soul is brought to cleave to him in faith, and choose him as thy Saviour and thy all, than wish to have the enemy let loose upon thy soul. But if this is the case, he shall not go beyond the length of his chain; his power is thy Father's permission; he may terrify with wrath, but it shall issue in love. Yea, though he should, like a powerful deluge, come in and distress with blasphemous injections, horrible thoughts, perplexing fears, and pronounce hell and destruction to be thy doom, even then thou art safe. The Saviour's power is thy shield. "The Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard."—The Lamb on the cross. In the stedfast faith of this, "resist the Devil, and he will flee from you." James 4:7.