All the Days of My Warfare Would I Wait, Till
As soldiers of Jesus Christ, we must endure hardness, watch and pray, and be strong in the Lord to fight the good fight and receive the crown.
F.B. Meyer emphasizes the Christian life as a soldier's campaign, urging believers to endure hardships and remain focused on pleasing Jesus without getting entangled in worldly affairs. He highlights the constant nature of spiritual warfare, where vigilance and prayer are essential, and encourages taking up the full armor of God to withstand evil. Meyer reassures that a time of release will come for those who fight the good fight, drawing parallels to the courage required in both action and waiting. He illustrates that sometimes the greatest battle is the patience to endure and remain steadfast in faith. Ultimately, believers are reminded that their efforts will be rewarded by the righteous Judge.
Text
All the days of my warfare would I wait, till
my release should come. Job xiv. 14 (R.V.).
THE Lord Jesus has chosen us to be his soldiers. We are in the midst of a great campaign: let us endure hardness, as good soldiers of Jesus Christ, and strive above all things to please Him (2 Tim. ii. 4). Amongst other things, let us be sure not to entangle ourselves in the affairs of this life. What purpose could a soldier serve who insisted on taking all his household goods with him on the march!
There is no pause in the warfare. We can never, like Gideon's soldiers, throw ourselves on the bank and quaff the water at our leisure. Every bush may hide a sharp‑shooter; every brake an ambuscade. It becomes us to watch and pray; to keep on our harness of armour; to be on the alert for our Captain's voice. We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against the hosts of wicked spirits in the heavenly places; we need to be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might, and to take unto ourselves the whole armour of God, that we may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand.
But the release will come at last. When the soldier has fought the good fight, the time of his departure will come, and he will go in to receive the crown which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give in that day. "Come," said the dying Havelock to his son, "and see how a Christian can die." Sometimes it demands more of a soldier's courage to wait than to charge. Remember that long waiting on the field at Waterloo, when the day passed from morning to evening. If you can do nothing else, wait. Be steadfast, immovable: lying still to suffer, to bear, to endure. This is fighting of the noblest sort.
Sermon Outline
- The Lord's Soldiers
- The Warfare Continues
- The Armour of God
- The Release Will Come
- The soldier will fight the good fight and receive the crown
- Sometimes it demands more courage to wait than to charge
Key Quotes
“We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against the hosts of wicked spirits in the heavenly places;” — F.B. Meyer
“If you can do nothing else, wait. Be steadfast, immovable: lying still to suffer, to bear, to endure.” — F.B. Meyer
“Sometimes it demands more of a soldier's courage to wait than to charge.” — F.B. Meyer
Application Points
- Let us endure hardness and strive to please the Lord in our daily lives.
- We must be steadfast and immovable in the face of adversity, trusting in the Lord's strength.
- Waiting and perseverance are essential qualities for a soldier of Jesus Christ.