December 6 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Isaiah 37:21–25

Devotional

Reassured by the Word of the Lord, the poor trembling citizens of Zion grew bold and shook their heads at Sennacherib’s boastful threats. Strong faith enables the servants of God to look with calm contempt on their most haughty foes.

We know that our enemies are attempting impossibilities. They seek to destroy the eternal life which cannot die while Jesus lives. They seek to overthrow the citadel against which the gates of hell shall not prevail. They kick against the goads to their own wounding. And they rush upon Jehovah’s iron fists to their own hurt.

We know their weakness. What are they but humans? And what is a human but a worm? They roar and swell like waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame. When the Lord arises, they will blow away as chaff before the wind, and be consumed as thorns crackling in a fire. Their utter powerlessness to do damage to the cause of God and his truth may make the weakest soldiers in Zion’s ranks mock them.

Above all, we know that the Most High is with us, and when he dresses himself in arms, where are his enemies? If he comes forth from his place, the clay fragments of the earth will not long contend with their Maker. His rod of iron shall dash them in pieces like pottery and their very remembrance shall perish from the earth.

Away, then, all fears, the kingdom is safe in the King’s hands. Let us shout for joy, for the Lord reigns, and his foes shall be as straw trampled down in the manure.

“As true as God’s own word is true;
nor earth, nor hell, with all their crew,
against us shall prevail.
A jest, and by-word, are they grown;
God is with us, we are his own,
our victory cannot fail.”
(Johann Michael Altenburg, 1631 [translated Catherine Winkworth, 1855], from the hymn, “Fear Not, O Little Flock, the Foe”)

[July 21]

Extracted from C. H. Spurgeon, Morning and Evening (public domain), language modernized by Larry E. Wilson.