“HOW are you getting on today, Tom? Are you happy in the Lord?” I asked a young plow-boy who had been converted about two weeks before this.
“Thanks be to God, I am happy, but Satan has been troubling me, as you said he would, trying to make me doubt whether I am really saved or not.”
“What do you meet him with on these occasions, Tom?” I asked, being desirous of knowing on what he rested for his salvation, and the assurance of it. The young boy drew from his pocket a Testament, and opening it, said,
“I just give him the verses through which I was led to the Saviour. The first is in Romans 5:8,8But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8) ‘While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us,’ and the other in John 3:36,36He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. (John 3:36) ‘He that believeth on the Son, hath everlasting- life.’ When I read these verses out loud, my soul is happy, and Satan leaves me.”
These are the true weapons of warfare wherewith to meet the great adversary. He cannot stand against the Word of God. The work of Christ is the cause and Rock of our salvation; and the Word of God gives us the ground of our assurance.
But like the happy boy, you must first discover your need of Christ; then receive Him as your personal Saviour before you can stand firm on the Rock, and thus meet the adversary of your soul with the Word of God.
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: whom resist steadfast in the faith.” 1 Peter 5:8,98Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. (1 Peter 5:8‑9).
ML 11/08/1925