May 12

Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. - Ephesians 6:10.

THE Fall has left us as much without strength as without righteousness. Many are not willing to admit this. It is much easier to convince such of their guilt than of their weakness. Though they neglect for the present the “things which belong to their peace,” they never question their ability to do them. Therefore, at some future season, when they have leisure-and when circumstances are more favourable-they mean to do this. But, ah! the trial, the real trial, would convince them of their inability of themselves to believe, to repent, to obey, and to become “new creatures;” this would bring them upon their knees, and then these important results would soon be exemplified.

But Christians themselves acquire the knowledge of their weakness slowly and gradually. At first they are found to rely very much upon their convictions, purposes, resolutions, and perhaps vows too, but their “iniquities, like the wind, after all carry them away,” and by their failings and falls they are taught that they only are safe who are “kept by the mighty power of God through faith unto salvation.” They also learn to pray more and more- “Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe.” This was the case with Peter. But a very few hours after his warm, sincere, and vehement protestations of fidelity-“Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee”-have elapsed before we find him denying the Saviour, and that with oaths and curses. Let us

“Beware of Peter’s word,

Nor confidently say,

‘I never will deny thee, Lord,’

But grant I never may.”

Christians learn by experience more and more where alone their strength lies, and they are led at length to trust in the Lord only, “for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength.” They find that all their “sufficiency is of God;” that his grace and his strength alone is sufficient for them. Hence the command-”Be strong in the Lord,” &c. Hence the promise-“I will strengthen thee, yea I will help thee, yea I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” Hence the prayer-“Be thou my strong rock, for a house of defence to save me.” And hence the devout and confident acknowledgment-“I can do all things through Christ strengthening me.” When cast down under a sense of weakness, and of the duties, difficulties, and dangers of our course, let us remember that

-“The Mighty God

Still feeds the strength of every saint.”

There are two things with regard to this strength, we must remember. The one is, the supplies of it are communicated seasonally-“As thy day so shall thy strength be.” His grace is communicated in time of need, active grace for active service, suffering grace for a suffering hour, and dying grace for a dying hour. And the other is, that it is obtained by the use of means-“They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.” Our souls can never prosper if we neglect the use of means. It is “the diligent soul that shall be made fat.”