Thursday, December 24, 2015

           Christian! seek not yet repose,
           Hear thy guardian angel say;
           Thou art in the midst of foes;
           “Watch and pray.”

           Principalities and powers,
           Mustering their unseen array,
           Wait for thy unguarded hours:
           “Watch and pray.”

           Gird thy heavenly armor on,
           Wear it ever night and day;
           Ambushed lies the evil one;
           “Watch and pray.”

           Hear the victors who o’ercame;
           Still they mark each warrior’s way;
           All with one sweet voice exclaim,
           “Watch and pray.”

           Hear, above all, hear thy Lord,
           Him thou lovest to obey;
           Hide within thy heart his word,
           “Watch and pray.”

           Watch, as if one that alone
           Hung the issue of the day;
           Pray, that help may be sent down:
           “Watch and pray.”
                                   Charlotte Elliott


Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:  1 Peter 5:8

.....Be sober, be vigilant; for your adversary the devil goeth about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.  Here he gives us a warning, and would open our eyes, and it would be well worthy that the text should be written in golden letters.  Here you perceive what this life is, and how it is described, so that we might well be ever wishing that we were dead.  We are here in the devil’s kingdom, just as in case a pilgrim should arrive at an inn, where he knew that all in the house were robbers; if he must enter there he will yet arm himself in the best way he can devise, and will sleep but little:  so are we now on earth, where the prince is an evil spirit, and has the hearts of men in his power, doing by them as he will.  It is a fearful thought if we properly regard it.  Therefore St. Peter would warn us to take heed to ourselves, and act the part of a faithful servant, who knows the state of things here......
     And here observe especially, that he says the devil goeth about.  He does not pass before your eyes, when you are armed against him, but looks out before and behind you, within and without, where he may attack you.....  
     Let every one now look to this; surely each shall trace something of this in his own experience.  He that has examined knows it well.  Therefore it is so sad for us that we go about so heedlessly.....Job has spoken thus:  “Man’s life on earth is nothing but an encampment, a mere conflict and strife.”  Why then does God thus leave us in life and misery?  In order that faith may be exercised and grow, and that hastening out of this life, we may have a desire of death, and an anxiety to depart.....                                           
                                                                                                                          Martin Luther

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