Evening, May 26
Go To Morning Reading
“Continue in the faith.”
Acts 14:22
Perseverance is the badge of true saints. The Christian life is not
a beginning only in the ways of God, but also a continuance in the same as long as life lasts. It is with a Christian as it was
with the great Napoleon: he said, “Conquest has made me what I am, and conquest must maintain me.” So, under God, dear brother in the Lord, conquest has made you what
you are, and conquest must sustain you. Your motto must be, “Excelsior.” He only is a true conqueror, and shall be crowned at the last, who
continueth till war’s trumpet is blown no more. Perseverance is, therefore, the target
of all our spiritual enemies. The world does not object to your being a Christian for a time, if she can
but tempt you to cease your pilgrimage, and settle down to buy and
sell with her in Vanity Fair. The flesh will seek to ensnare you, and to prevent your pressing on to glory.
“It is weary work being a pilgrim; come, give it up. Am I always to
be mortified? Am I never to be indulged? Give me at least a furlough
from this constant warfare.” Satan will make many a fierce attack on your perseverance; it will be the
mark for all his arrows. He will strive to hinder you in service : he will insinuate that you are doing no good; and that you want
rest. He will endeavour to make you weary of suffering , he will whisper, “Curse God, and die.” Or he will attack your steadfastness : “What is the good of being so zealous? Be quiet like the rest; sleep
as do others, and let your lamp go out as the other virgins do.” Or he will assail your doctrinal sentiments : “Why do you hold to these denominational creeds? Sensible men are getting
more liberal; they are removing the old landmarks: fall in with the
times.” Wear your shield, Christian, therefore, close upon your armour, and
cry mightily unto God, that by his Spirit you may endure to the end.