September 15

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

"ALL harmonious sounds," says Bishop Hall, "are advanced by a silent darkness; and the Gospel never sounds so sweetly as in the night of persecution, or of our own private affliction." The passage before us is an harmonious note struck from the chord of Scripture, which must vibrate delightfully with every Christian's heart. We proceed to notice

THE DEFEAT. When has the Spirit of the Lord lifted up a standard against the enemy? He did so

At the fall. When the serpent seduced our first parents to sin, the enemy gained ground, and came in like a flood. Then for a moment there was joy in hell; Satan and his crew thought they had baffled the designs of the Almighty, with regard to the universe he had made, and man whom he had created. But this joy was only like a flash of lightning, darting from one part of the firmament to the other, and in a moment lost in darkness; for the light of the glorious Gospel soon broke forth, and a standard was lifted up in the first promise. Surely this came like a thunderbolt on the old dragon, and left him in despair.

At the crucifixion of Christ. The enemy seemed to come far into the Church when they murdered her glorious Head; but through death he destroyed him that had the power of death. Behold the Saviour on the cross, bowing his head, and giving up the ghost, — then the enemy came in like a flood: see him rising from the tomb, — then the Spirit of the Lord lifted up a standard against them.

At the Reformation. What an overwhelming flood was there when Antichrist prevailed! but what a standard did God lift up, when he employed Luther and the glorious company of the Reformers to go forth against the enemy; and when he put it into the hearts of the kings of the earth to cast off their subjection to Romish bondage! The man of sin was in the height of his power, and saying, "I shall never be moved." The noble army of martyrs went forth to battle in God's name, gave the enemy a death-blow, and thus defeated the design of Satan, and saved the Church.

In the experience of every Christian. Can you not refer to times of distress, when God has graciously and wonderfully appeared on your behalf? How often has the standard been raised! Be not afraid of the flood of inward corruption and outward trial. God is on your side.