When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him.– Isa. 59:19
When a poor sinner knows, what human nature is, and sees his brethren and companions after the flesh "living without Christ and without God in the world ;" making a mock at sin, and ridiculing his truths and ways; and finds his own heart touched with a holy, loving fear of the Lord, he is ready to cry out, Whence is this? He can only say, "Grace reigneth; the Sun of righteousness hath risen upon me. So, Lord, it seemeth good in thy sight. I have not deserved this. Thou hast spoken in truth, and fulfilled in faithfulness. So thy word runs, so thy Gospel is glorified, free as the sun, powerful as the wind." Jehovah's word is his people's triumph. Here are most absolute declarations for faith to fix upon, and plead, in any hour of Satan's attack.
For, so sure as we fear the Lord, the enemy will oppose us. For, if he dare plead with the Saviour, "Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captive be delivered?" Isa. 49:24. Verily, he will follow after his once seized prey, and strive to regain his ransomed captive; yea, he will challenge the sinner as his property. But, is it not strange that the loving, almighty Saviour suffers the enemy to molest his dear children, and strive to tear his peace and love from their hearts? No: it cannot be otherwise in our present state; for we are clothed with a nature "earthly, sensual, devilish," to which Satan has easy access.
Humble souls have little reason to complain that they have not known so great a degree of wrath, nor have been terrified with such dreadful apprehensions of hell and damnation as some others. O rather love and praise Jesus if thy soul is brought to choose him in faith, and follow him as thy Saviour and thy all, than wish to have the enemy ]et loose upon thy soul. But if this is the case, he shall not go beyond the length of his chain. His power is thy Father's permission. He may terrify with wrath, but it shall issue in love. Yea, though he should, like a powerful deluge, come in and distress with blasphemous thoughts, perplexing fears, and pronounce hell and destruction to be thy doom, even then thou art safe The Saviour's power is thy shield. "The Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard"–the Lamb on the cross. In the faith of this, "resist the devil and he will flee from you." James 4:7
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