'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — January 17

Saints should consider the power of God as available for them. They should impress it upon their souls until all their doubts and fears are silenced. We may count this attribute our portion and reap the comfort it yields as freely as one may harvest the crop of his own field: God said to Abraham, ‘I am God Almighty'; this is your portion, live upon it. The apostle teaches: ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you' (Heb. 13:5). Every believer may boldly say; 'God will help', not 'perhaps he will'. We may boldly assert it before men and devils because the Almighty said it. Our obedience and comfort become strong or weak according to our faith in this principle. Abraham was strong in faith, and what a heroic act of obedience he performed in offering up his son! No act of faith so strengthens us for duty as our belief that God's almighty power is engaged for our assistance. 'Go in this might of yours', God said to Gideon, 'do not I send you?' It is as if God said, 'Can I not, will I not carry you through your work?’ Away goes Gideon in trust that God does wonders. A soul not persuaded of this is uneven and unstable in the course of obedience. Every threat from man dismays him. He has eyes to behold the power of man, but lacks a spiritual eye to see God at his back. 'Should such a man as I run away?' said good Nehemiah (Neh. 6:11). 'O God, strengthen my hands' (verse 9). He would rather die there, than dishonour his God with a dishonourable retreat. The Christian's comfort also increases when we trust in God's almighty power. Many fears like waves roll over us. He who sees himself folded in almighty arms, O how he mounts up before the wind with his sails filled with joy and peace! Let storms arise, this one may sing merrily with the sharpest thorn at his breast.

Devotional Readings taken from Puritan Devotional Readings 'Voices From The Past Vol.1.'
William Gurnall, The Christian in. Complete Armour, I:31-33
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