The sword is the symbol of aggressive warfare. The first three parts of the armor protect us as to our own state, the second two are defensive, the sixth is aggressive. We have but one weapon to use against the enemy—the word of God. But if we know how to handle it, or, what is equally important, how to draw it, no enemy can resist it. Any one may draw the carnal sword, though any one may not be able to strike with it. But not so the sword of the Spirit. We can only draw it aright when guided by the Holy Spirit. It is the sword of the Spirit. That is, we must be walking in communion with God, and in the un-grieved power of the Holy Spirit, to use it either offensively or defensively. Thus the right passage will be suggested to the mind and applied with divine power. Mere human intelligence and human capacity are of no avail in this warfare. The word of God is our only but all-sufficient weapon. It baffles the power of Satan, it detects his wiles, it disables every adversary, it silences the voice of self, it brings light into the scene of conflict, and discovers the dark deceptions of the foe.
But it may be well for thee, my soul, to turn aside for a little and meditate on the Lord’s use of the word when in conversation with the Jews and when in conflict with Satan in the wilderness. The former he so answered from scripture that no man durst ask him any more questions; the latter he vanquished with all his hosts and spoiled him of his goods. Oh! for divine skill to use, after the manner of our Lord, the word of God—the Spirit’s sword! Lord, help us to quote the right passage and at the right time; and so to maintain our position according to the word, that the enemy may gain no advantage over us!
But the sword of the Spirit is also used actively in our spiritual warfare. Christianity is essentially aggressive in its character. It judges all that is opposed to its pure and heavenly doctrines. It wages war with the mighty empire of unbelief in its ten thousand forms. The gospel is to be preached to every creature under heaven and this side of hell. It openly attacks carelessness, worldliness, formality, infidelity, superstition, error, and vice of every kind. It assails no political body, state, or kingdom; but it storms the citadel of individual hearts and consciences, and seeks to win souls one by one to the Captain of our salvation, Christ Jesus the Lord.
When the empire of Satan is thus invaded and threatened, we may rest assured that he will leave no stratagem untried, no force unused, to hinder our progress, and to quench the light of our testimony. Hence the continual, the unending, the unmitigated warfare. But our weapons are spiritual, our victories are peace, the sharp sword of the Spirit piercing the conscience, subdues the heart, and brings the conquered soul in triumph to the feet of Jesus.
Prayer in The Spirit.
We have now had before us the several parts of the armor of God—the panoply of heaven—that which refers to our state both inwardly and outwardly—self-judgment, governed affections, practical godliness, confidence in God, a peaceful and peace-making walk, joy in salvation, the active energy of the Spirit, both in the sword and girdle, by the word. But behind all these, there is a hidden spring of power, which gives connection and strength to the whole armor, and without which all would be of no avail. It is dependence on God: a dependence which expresses itself in prayer. “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.”
The strength and blessedness of this position cannot be over-estimated. In all thy meditations, Ο my soul, there is no point more worthy of thy closest, deepest study. It places the soul in connection with God, and in dependence on Him. Thus, remember, all thy battles are to be fought, and all thy battles will be victories. Observe for a moment the structure of this remarkable verse. It is, “Praying always”—on all occasions—habitual and complete dependence. And, “in the Spirit”—in the power of the Holy Spirit—in communion. “And watching thereunto with all perseverance,” active, vigilant. “And supplication for all saints”—earnestness, interest in others, affection which turns everything into prayer. This is the soul’s strong tower—every soul’s strong tower. All have not gifts for public ministry—for fighting in the front lines, but all have the privilege of thus drawing near to God, and abiding there.
The spirit of prayer in the christian warfare is like wisdom in the human mind—like gravitation in the material world. It combines, it keeps the different pieces of armor in their respective places, and maintains a mutual dependence the one upon the other. And remember this, my soul, and remember it always, whether in peace or in war. Nothing will keep thee more in the fight than “praying always”—nothing will give thee a deeper sense of thine own weakness—nothing brings thee more into communion with the strength and favor of God, and nothing the enemy dreads more.
Be watchful and diligent then, Ο my soul, in the use of this weapon. See and avoid everything that would make thee unspiritual—that would lead thee away from God, or interrupt thy communion with Him. Thy strength lies in communion. May the spirit of entire dependence on God characterize thee as a child in the family, a member in the body, and a servant in the kingdom.
NOT A CLOUD CAN ARISE.
Not a cloud can arise to darken the skies
But is sent from my Father above;
Not a breath e’en can blow on His child below
Save as bearing some message of love.
So good is the Lord, and so true to His word,
Not a sparrow without Him can fall;
His children may be ofttimes toss’d on life’s sea,
But He’ll still the rough winds at their call.
He ever is near—to their call will give ear,
When, not doubting, they look unto Him
Who is able to save from death, hell, and the grave—
His power, as His love, is supreme.
The sun must obey, and his journeying stay,
When the Lord gives the word of command:
Yea, Satan will fly at His child’s feeble cry,
Who relies on His love and strong hand.
All things work for good, to those saved by the blood
Of the Lamb that was slain in their stead;
Not a trial can come but shall hasten them home
Long the path He designs them to tread.
Faith rests upon God, and through fire and through flood
Urges on to its home in the skies,
Where Jesus is gone to prepare it a crown,
And it counts every hour as it flies.
It longs to be home, and its language is, “Come,”
“Come, Lord Jesus!” and call me away:
I sigh thee to see, and e’er with thee to be
In those regions of ne’er-ending day.
My crown thou art there—I thy glory shall share,
The reward of thy suff’ring and shame—
The blessing is mine, but the glory is thine,
And my boast is alone in thy name.
Bristol, May, 1871. T. S.