R M M’Cheyne
- We conquer even before the battle is over. In all other battles we do not know how the victory is to turn until the battle is won. In the battle of Waterloo, it was long thought that the French had gained the upper hand; and Napoleon sent several despatches to Paris, declaring that he had won. But in the fight with the world, Satan and the flesh, we know already 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 sing already: “I thank God, through Jesus Christ our Lord”. We know that we shall overcome. Though the world were a million times more enraged, though the fires of persecution were again to be kindled, though my heart was a million times more wicked, though all the temptations of hell were let loose
1Reprinted, with editing, from The Christian Treasury. Most of this article is directed to believers.
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 sang, in spite of his thorn, “Therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities”, he was more than a conqueror.
- 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 sobbings 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 up on the Rock. Every arrow of bitterness shot after the believer makes him hide more in the clefts of Jesus. Be content, dear friend, 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 his 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 infolding you. Then I would know that all the hatred of men and all the policy of hell would never prevail against you. If God is for you, who can be against you? If God has chosen you, called you, washed you, justified you, then He will glorify you. Yield to his loving hands, you that are not far from the kingdom of God. May He wash you, for then He will carry you to glory.