In every believer’s heart there is a constant struggle between the old nature and the new. The old nature is very active, and loses no opportunity in plying all the weapons of its deadly armoury against newborn grace; while on the other hand, the new nature is ever on the watch to resist and destroy its enemy. Grace within us will employ prayer, and faith, and hope, and love, to cast out the evil; it takes unto it the “whole armour of God,” and wrestles earnestly. These two opposing natures will never cease to struggle so long as we are in this world. The battle of “Christian” with “Apollyon” lasted three hours, but the battle of Christian with himself lasted all the way from the Wicket Gate to the river Jordan. The enemy is so securely entrenched within us that he can never be driven out while we are in this body: but although we are closely beset, and often in sore conflict, we have an Almighty helper, even Jesus, the Captain of our salvation, who is ever with us, and who assures us that we shall eventually come off more than conquerors through Him. With such assistance the new-born nature is more than a match for its foes. Are you fighting with the adversary today? Are Satan, the world, and flesh, all against you? Be not discouraged nor dismayed. Fight on! For God Himself is with you; Jehovah Nissi is your banner, and Jehovah Rophi is the healer of your wounds. Fear not, you shall overcome, for who can defeat Omnipotence? Fight on, “looking unto Jesus”; and though long and stern be the conflict, sweet will be the victory, and glorious the promised reward.
“From strength to strength go on;
Wrestle, and fight, and pray,
Tread all the power of darkness down;
And win the well-fought day.”
Morning & Evening, Charles Spurgeon, Page 308
On Saturday I completed lesson ‘P’ (prayer) of my discipleship course. What a blessing it has been to me! I want to share something that I found very helpful. At the end of the study I was given a list of verses (below) and told to create a prayer list for myself, using the verses as guides. Sometimes it’s hard to know exactly what to pray for, so I found this a blessing to my prayer life. Hope you do too.
- Matthew 6:11
- James 1:5
- Matthew 26:41
- Psalm 19:14
- Psalm 34:4
- Psalm 37:5
- Psalm 51:2, 10
- Psalm 119:18
- Psalm 119:34
- Psalm 119:133
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