Needed: Valiant Fighters

“Fight the Lord’s battles.”
— 1 Samuel 18:17

[The battle in the 21st century church is to get believers to engage in Christian living. But the following comes from Spurgeon in the 19th century when many were connected to their Christianity. But even they needed a prod every now and then to engage the enemy of our souls, that old devil himself! I post this in the hopes that 1) we today will once again enter the fray willingly, and 2) take great hope that though all the world be arrayed against us, we need not fear while Christ is on our side, and we on His. Editorial comments by myself are in brackets]

The sacramental host of God’s elect is warring still on earth, Jesus Christ being the Captain of their salvation. He has said, “Lo! I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” Hark to the shouts of war! Now let the people of God stand fast in their ranks, and let no man’s heart fail him. [We need to be real soldiers and not faint] It is true that just now in England the battle is turned against us, and unless the Lord Jesus shall lift his sword, we know not what may become of the church of God in this land; but let us be of good courage, and play the man. [I love any call to be courageous. I often feel so weak in myself] There never was a day when Protestantism seemed to tremble more in the scales than now that a fierce effort is making to restore the Romish antichrist to his ancient seat. [Not sure exactly what was happening then, but evidently the Roman Catholic church was trying to regain the foothold in England that they once held. They do this often] We greatly want a bold voice and a strong hand to preach and publish the old gospel for which martyrs bled and confessors died. The Saviour is, by his Spirit, still on earth; let this cheer us. [YES] He is ever in the midst of the fight, and therefore the battle is not doubtful. And as the conflict rages, what a sweet satisfaction it is to know that the Lord Jesus, in his office as our great Intercessor, is prevalently pleading for his people! O anxious gazer, look not so much at the battle below, for there thou shalt be enshrouded in smoke, and amazed with garments rolled in blood; but lift thine eyes yonder where the Saviour lives and pleads, for while he intercedes, the cause of God is safe. [Indeed, may our focus not be on the war but on the General of heaven] Let us fight as if it all depended upon us, but let us look up and know that all depends upon him.

Now, by the lilies of Christian purity, and by the roses of the Saviour’s atonement, by the roes and by the hinds of the field, we charge you who are lovers of Jesus, to do valiantly in the Holy War, for truth and righteousness, for the kingdom and crown jewels of your Master. Onward! “for the battle is not yours but God’s.” 

Spurgeon, C. H. (2006). Morning and evening : Daily readings (Complete and unabridged; New modern edition.). Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers.

[Amen!]