R M M’Cheyne
1. We conquer even before the battle is over. In all other battles we do not know how the victory is to turn out until the battle is won. In the battle of Waterloo, it was long thought that the French had gained the victory, and Napoleon sent several despatches to Paris declaring that he had won. But in the fight with the world, Satan and the flesh, we already know who is to have the victory. Christ has engaged to carry us through. He will guard us against the darts of the law, by hiding us in His blood. He defends us from the power of sin by His Holy Spirit put within us. He will keep us, in the secret of His presence, from the strife of tongues. The thicker the battle, the closer He will keep to us; so that we can say already: “I thank God, through Jesus Christ our Lord”. We know that we shall overcome.
Though the world would be a million times more enraged, though the fires of persecution would again be kindled, though my heart was a million times more wicked, though all the temptations of hell were let loose upon me, I know I shall overcome through Him that loved me. When Paul and Silas sang in the low dungeon, they were more than conquerors. When Paul said, in spite of his thorn, “I will glory in my infirmities”, he was more than a conqueror.
2. We gain by our conflict. Often a victory is a loss. So it was in that battle in Israel, after the dark night in Gibeah. All Israel mourned, for a tribe was nearly cut off out of Israel; and so, in most victories, the song of triumph is mingled with the sobbing of the widow and orphan. Not so in the good fight of faith. We are more than conquerors. We gain by our enemies. (1.) We cling closer to Christ. Every wave of trouble for Christ’s sake lifts the soul higher upon the Rock. Every arrow of bitterness shot after the believer makes him hide more in the clefts of Jesus. Be content to bear these troubles which make you cling closer to your Beloved. (2.) They shake us loose from sin. If ye were of the world, the world would love its own. If the world smiled and fawned upon you, you would lie on its lap. But when it frowns, then Jesus is our all. (3.) Great is your reward in heaven. We gain a brighter crown. Be not afraid; nothing shall ever separate you from the love of Christ.
O that I could know that you were all in Christ’s love – that the arms of Jesus were enfolding you – then I would know that all the hatred of men and all the policy of hell would never prevail against you. “If God be for us, who can be against us?” If God has chosen you, called you, washed you, justified you, then He will glorify you. O you that are not far from the kingdom of God, yield to His loving hands. Let Him wash you, for then He will carry you to glory.
1Taken, with editing, from The Christian Treasury for 1845.