Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/183



" Deliver  me  from  my  enemies,  O  my  God!  and  defend  me  from those  who  rise  up  against  me." (Ps. lviii.  2.)

I. Consider  the  words  of  holy  Job,  "  the  life  of  man  upon earth  is  a  warfare." (Job vii.  i.)  We  have  continually to fight  against  three  most  stubborn  enemies,  which  are ever plotting  our  destruction. These are  the  devil,  the world, and  the  flesh. Christ, as  we  read  in  the  gospel  of this  day,  condescended  to  be  tempted  by  the  devil,  in order  to  show  us  by  His  own  example,  as  our  leader  and commander, how  we  ought  to  conquer  him. Hence David cries  out,  "  Blessed  be  the  Lord  my  God,  who  teacheth  my  hands  to  fight,  and  my  fingers  to  war." (Ps. cxliii. i.)

II. It is  of  infinite  importance  that  we  should  not  be overcome  in  this  warfare,  for  we  are  fighting  for  eternity. Examine yourself  most  strictly,  and  discover  in  what points you  are  weak  and  defective,  and  on  what  occasions you  are  most  frequently  wounded. Rely on  the defence and  conduct  of  your  captain,  who  is  to  visit  your soul to-day  and  "  gird  you  with  strength  unto  battle" (Ps. xvii.  40);  although  "armies  in  camp  stand  together against  you,  your  heart  need  not  fear." (Ps. xxvi.  3.)

III. Soldiers are  accustomed  to  take  the  military  oath; so ought  you  to  be  sworn  to  your  captain. This duty you have  once  performed  in  baptism  by  renouncing  the devil and  all  his  works  and  pomps. But how  often  have