Page:Spiritual Reflections for Every Day in the Year - Vol 1.pdf/286

 can never be attained. The command, or rather ardent prayer, of Joshua, "Sun, stand thou still!" implores a continuance of the Divine Sun to give life and wisdom to the Israel of God, that they may overcome their spiritual enemies; and as the Lord never leaves those struggling in temptation's conflict, who desire the Divine presence and help, so, to express the continuance of the Divine Love, it is said, "the Sun stood still, and the Moon stayed." The Sun is the emblem of the Divine Love and wisdom, and the Moon, being in itself a dark body, but reflecting the Sun's light, is the church in man, grounded in a pure faith and confidence in the Lord. Thus in states of temptation and conflict, Love and Faith are present—they stay with him, they do net depart or go down, the enemies are conquered, and the land of promise gained! To the Christian, interior light and strength are imparted from the Lord to enable him to conquer the Amorites within him. Then is fulfilled the glorious promise, "thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the Lord shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended." (Isa. lx. 20.) To those who teach falsities instead of truth, how striking the contrast, "The Sun shall go down over the prophets, and the day shall be dark over them." (Mic. iii. 6) O Christian! while struggling with thy inward foes, pray with Joshua, "Sun, stand thou still, and thou moon in the valley," and the sun of love divine will not leave thee nor forsake thee in the conflict—the moon will be stayed; thou shalt surely conquer and gain the promised land.