September 13

"When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him."—Isaiah 59:19.

WHEN a nation is invaded by a numerous and powerful enemy, the sound of the trumpet heard, the alarm of war given, and nothing is expected but immediate death or perpetual slavery; how every heart is gladdened, and every eye sparkles with joy, when a mighty and merciful prince comes to their relief with an army of courageous soldiers! The Christian is sometimes placed in similar circumstances, but he has a great and glorious Leader. Observe

THE ENEMY. Who are the enemies of the Church?

Satan. He is the accuser of the brethren, the great adversary of souls. This enemy is always more ready to attack the Christian after he has been admitted into close communion with God. Thus Peter denied his Lord after he had been celebrating the last supper; and Paul was buffeted after he had been caught up to the third heaven.

Sia. This is the common enemy of all believers. It is a crafty enemy. "The heart is deceitful above all things." It is a covetous enemy. It will not be satisfied with the possession of one faculty of the soul, or one member of the body, but has extended its tyrannical reign over all the members of the one, and all the faculties of the other. It has obscured the understanding, degraded the affections, perverted the will, and filled the heart with enmity against God.

Wicked men. The seed of the woman, and the seed of the serpent, have always been at enmity with each other. Abel had a cruel brother Cain, who slew him. Esau was at variance with Jacob. The Israelites were persecuted by the Egyptians. There was Pharaoh with his cruel counsellors; Goliath with his army of Philistines; Sennacherib, king of Assyria, with his blaspheming Rabshakeh. The primitive Christians had their enemies. How much opposition did the apostles meet with in their labors to promote the triumphs of the cross! "Yea, all that will live godly in Christ Jesus must suffer persecution." What need is there for watchfulness and prayer on the part of the Christian? Let us rejoice in the provisions made for this warfare, and the promises of final success.