Sept. 4
VICTORY WITHOUT BATTLE
"But I will have mercy upon the house of Judah, and will save them
by the Lord their God, and will not save them by bow, nor by sword,
nor by battle, by horses, nor by horsemen" Hosea 1:7
Precious word! Jehovah Himself will deliver His people in the
greatness of His mercy, but He will not do it by the ordinary means.
Men are slow to render to God the glory due unto His name. If they go
to battle with sword and bow, and win the victory, they ought to
praise their God; yet they do not, but begin to magnify their own
right arm, and glory in their horses and horsemen. For this reason our
Jehovah often determines to save His people without second means, that
all the honor may be to Himself alone.
Look, then, my heart, to the Lord alone, and not to man. Expect to
see God all the more clearly when there is no one else to look to. If
I have no friend, no adviser, no one at my back, let me be none the
less confident if I can feel that the Lord Himself is on my side; yea,
let me be glad if He gives victory without battle, as the text seems
to imply. Why do I ask for horses and horsemen if Jehovah Himself has
mercy upon me, and lifts up His arm for my defense? Why need I bow or
sword if God will save? Let me trust, and not be afraid, from this day
forth and for evermore. Amen.