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Matthew 16

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1 και G2532 CONJ προσελθοντες G4334 G5631 V-2AAP-NPM οι G3588 T-NPM φαρισαιοι G5330 N-NPM και G2532 CONJ σαδδουκαιοι G4523 N-NPM πειραζοντες G3985 G5723 V-PAP-NPM επηρωτησαν G1905 G5656 V-AAI-3P αυτον G846 P-ASM σημειον G4592 N-ASN εκ G1537 P EP του G3588 T-GSM ουρανου G3772 N-GSM επιδειξαι G1925 G5658 V-AAN αυτοις G846 P-DPM

2 ο G3588 T-NSM δε G1161 CONJ αποκριθεις G611 G5679 V-AOP-NSM ειπεν G2036 G5627 V-2AAI-3S αυτοις G846 P-DPM οψιας G3798 A-GSF γενομενης G1096 G5637 V-2ADP-GSF λεγετε G3004 G5719 V-PAI-2P ευδια G2105 N-NSF πυρραζει G4449 G5719 V-PAI-3S γαρ G1063 CONJ ο G3588 T-NSM ουρανος G3772 N-NSM

3 και G2532 CONJ πρωι G4404 ADV σημερον G4594 ADV χειμων G5494 N-NSM πυρραζει G4449 G5719 V-PAI-3S γαρ G1063 CONJ στυγναζων G4768 G5723 V-PAP-NSM ο G3588 T-NSM ουρανος G3772 N-NSM υποκριται G5273 N-VPM το G3588 T-ASN μεν G3303 P T προσωπον G4383 N-ASN του G3588 T-GSM ουρανου G3772 N-GSM γινωσκετε G1097 G5719 V-PAI-2P διακρινειν G1252 G5721 V-PAN τα G3588 T-APN δε G1161 CONJ σημεια G4592 N-APN των G3588 T-GPM καιρων G2540 N-GPM ου G3756 P T-N δυνασθε G1410 G5736 V-PNI-2P

4 γενεα G1074 N-NSF πονηρα G4190 A-NSF και G2532 CONJ μοιχαλις G3428 N-NSF σημειον G4592 N-ASN επιζητει G1934 G5719 V-PAI-3S και G2532 CONJ σημειον G4592 N-NSN ου G3756 P T-N δοθησεται G1325 G5701 V-FPI-3S αυτη G846 P-DSF ει G1487 COND μη G3361 P T-N το G3588 T-NSN σημειον G4592 N-NSN ιωνα G2495 N-GSM του G3588 T-GSM προφητου G4396 N-GSM και G2532 CONJ καταλιπων G2641 G5631 V-2AAP-NSM αυτους G846 P-APM απηλθεν G565 G5627 V-2AAI-3S

5 και G2532 CONJ ελθοντες G2064 G5631 V-2AAP-NPM οι G3588 T-NPM μαθηται G3101 N-NPM αυτου G846 P-GSM εις G1519 P EP το G3588 T-ASN περαν G4008 ADV επελαθοντο G1950 G5633 V-2ADI-3P αρτους G740 N-APM λαβειν G2983 G5629 V-2AAN

6 ο G3588 T-NSM δε G1161 CONJ ιησους G2424 N-NSM ειπεν G2036 G5627 V-2AAI-3S αυτοις G846 P-DPM ορατε G3708 G5720 V-PAM-2P και G2532 CONJ προσεχετε G4337 G5720 V-PAM-2P απο G575 P EP της G3588 T-GSF ζυμης G2219 N-GSF των G3588 T-GPM φαρισαιων G5330 N-GPM και G2532 CONJ σαδδουκαιων G4523 N-GPM

7 οι G3588 T-NPM δε G1161 CONJ διελογιζοντο G1260 G5711 V-INI-3P εν G1722 P EP εαυτοις G1438 F-3DPM λεγοντες G3004 G5723 V-PAP-NPM οτι G3754 CONJ αρτους G740 N-APM ουκ G3756 P T-N ελαβομεν G2983 G5627 V-2AAI-1P

8 γνους G1097 G5631 V-2AAP-NSM δε G1161 CONJ ο G3588 T-NSM ιησους G2424 N-NSM ειπεν G2036 G5627 V-2AAI-3S αυτοις G846 P-DPM τι G5101 I-ASN διαλογιζεσθε G1260 G5736 V-PNI-2P εν G1722 P EP εαυτοις G1438 F-3DPM ολιγοπιστοι G3640 A-VPM οτι G3754 CONJ αρτους G740 N-APM ουκ G3756 P T-N ελαβετε G2983 G5627 V-2AAI-2P

9 ουπω G3768 ADV νοειτε G3539 G5719 V-PAI-2P ουδε G3761 ADV μνημονευετε G3421 G5719 V-PAI-2P τους G3588 T-APM πεντε G4002 A-NUI αρτους G740 N-APM των G3588 T-GPM πεντακισχιλιων G4000 A-GPM και G2532 CONJ ποσους G4214 Q-APM κοφινους G2894 N-APM ελαβετε G2983 G5627 V-2AAI-2P

10 ουδε G3761 ADV τους G3588 T-APM επτα G2033 A-NUI αρτους G740 N-APM των G3588 T-GPM τετρακισχιλιων G5070 A-GPM και G2532 CONJ ποσας G4214 Q-APF σπυριδας G4711 N-APF ελαβετε G2983 G5627 V-2AAI-2P

11 πως G4459 ADV-I ου G3756 P T-N νοειτε G3539 G5719 V-PAI-2P οτι G3754 CONJ ου G3756 P T-N περι G4012 P EP αρτου G740 N-GSM ειπον G2036 G5627 V-2AAI-1S υμιν G5213 P-2DP προσεχειν G4337 G5721 V-PAN απο G575 P EP της G3588 T-GSF ζυμης G2219 N-GSF των G3588 T-GPM φαρισαιων G5330 N-GPM και G2532 CONJ σαδδουκαιων G4523 N-GPM

12 τοτε G5119 ADV συνηκαν G4920 G5656 V-AAI-3P οτι G3754 CONJ ουκ G3756 P T-N ειπεν G2036 G5627 V-2AAI-3S προσεχειν G4337 G5721 V-PAN απο G575 P EP της G3588 T-GSF ζυμης G2219 N-GSF του G3588 T-GSM αρτου G740 N-GSM αλλ G235 CONJ απο G575 P EP της G3588 T-GSF διδαχης G1322 N-GSF των G3588 T-GPM φαρισαιων G5330 N-GPM και G2532 CONJ σαδδουκαιων G4523 N-GPM

13 ελθων G2064 G5631 V-2AAP-NSM δε G1161 CONJ ο G3588 T-NSM ιησους G2424 N-NSM εις G1519 P EP τα G3588 T-APN μερη G3313 N-APN καισαρειας G2542 N-GSF της G3588 T-GSF φιλιππου G5376 N-GSM ηρωτα G2065 G5707 V-IAI-3S τους G3588 T-APM μαθητας G3101 N-APM αυτου G846 P-GSM λεγων G3004 G5723 V-PAP-NSM τινα G5101 I-ASM με G3165 P-1AS λεγουσιν G3004 G5719 V-PAI-3P οι G3588 T-NPM ανθρωποι G444 N-NPM ειναι G1511 G5750 V-PXN τον G3588 T-ASM υιον G5207 N-ASM του G3588 T-GSM ανθρωπου G444 N-GSM

14 οι G3588 T-NPM δε G1161 CONJ ειπον G2036 G5627 V-2AAI-3P οι G3588 T-NPM μεν G3303 P T ιωαννην G2491 N-ASM τον G3588 T-ASM βαπτιστην G910 N-ASM αλλοι G243 A-NPM δε G1161 CONJ ηλιαν G2243 N-ASM ετεροι G2087 A-NPM δε G1161 CONJ ιερεμιαν G2408 N-ASM η G2228 P T ενα G1520 A-ASM των G3588 T-GPM προφητων G4396 N-GPM

15 λεγει G3004 G5719 V-PAI-3S αυτοις G846 P-DPM υμεις G5210 P-2NP δε G1161 CONJ τινα G5101 I-ASM με G3165 P-1AS λεγετε G3004 G5719 V-PAI-2P ειναι G1511 G5750 V-PXN

16 αποκριθεις G611 G5679 V-AOP-NSM δε G1161 CONJ σιμων G4613 N-NSM πετρος G4074 N-NSM ειπεν G2036 G5627 V-2AAI-3S συ G4771 P-2NS ει G1488 G5748 V-PXI-2S ο G3588 T-NSM χριστος G5547 N-NSM ο G3588 T-NSM υιος G5207 N-NSM του G3588 T-GSM θεου G2316 N-GSM του G3588 T-GSM ζωντος G2198 G5723 V-PAP-GSM

17 και G2532 CONJ αποκριθεις G611 G5679 V-AOP-NSM ο G3588 T-NSM ιησους G2424 N-NSM ειπεν G2036 G5627 V-2AAI-3S αυτω G846 P-DSM μακαριος G3107 A-NSM ει G1488 G5748 V-PXI-2S σιμων G4613 N-VSM βαρ G920 A AM ιωνα G920 A AM G2495 N-GSM οτι G3754 CONJ σαρξ G4561 N-NSF και G2532 CONJ αιμα G129 N-NSN ουκ G3756 P T-N απεκαλυψεν G601 G5656 V-AAI-3S σοι G4671 P-2DS αλλ G235 CONJ ο G3588 T-NSM πατηρ G3962 N-NSM μου G3450 P-1GS ο G3588 T-NSM εν G1722 P EP τοις G3588 T-DPM ουρανοις G3772 N-DPM

18 καγω G2504 P-1NS-C δε G1161 CONJ σοι G4671 P-2DS λεγω G3004 G5719 V-PAI-1S οτι G3754 CONJ συ G4771 P-2NS ει G1488 G5748 V-PXI-2S πετρος G4074 N-NSM και G2532 CONJ επι G1909 P EP ταυτη G3778 D-DSF τη G3588 T-DSF πετρα G4073 N-DSF οικοδομησω G3618 G5692 V-FAI-1S μου G3450 P-1GS την G3588 T-ASF εκκλησιαν G1577 N-ASF και G2532 CONJ πυλαι G4439 N-NPF αδου G86 N-GSM ου G3756 P T-N κατισχυσουσιν G2729 G5692 V-FAI-3P αυτης G846 P-GSF

19 και G2532 CONJ δωσω G1325 G5692 V-FAI-1S σοι G4671 P-2DS τας G3588 T-APF κλεις G2807 N-APF της G3588 T-GSF βασιλειας G932 N-GSF των G3588 T-GPM ουρανων G3772 N-GPM και G2532 CONJ ο G3739 -ASN εαν G1437 COND δησης G1210 G5661 V-AAS-2S επι G1909 P EP της G3588 T-GSF γης G1093 N-GSF εσται G2071 G5704 V-FXI-3S δεδεμενον G1210 G5772 V- PP-NSN εν G1722 P EP τοις G3588 T-DPM ουρανοις G3772 N-DPM και G2532 CONJ ο G3739 -ASN εαν G1437 COND λυσης G3089 G5661 V-AAS-2S επι G1909 P EP της G3588 T-GSF γης G1093 N-GSF εσται G2071 G5704 V-FXI-3S λελυμενον G3089 G5772 V- PP-NSN εν G1722 P EP τοις G3588 T-DPM ουρανοις G3772 N-DPM

20 τοτε G5119 ADV διεστειλατο G1291 G5668 V-AMI-3S τοις G3588 T-DPM μαθηταις G3101 N-DPM αυτου G846 P-GSM ινα G2443 CONJ μηδενι G3367 A-DSM ειπωσιν G2036 G5632 V-2AAS-3P οτι G3754 CONJ αυτος G846 P-NSM εστιν G2076 G5748 V-PXI-3S ιησους G2424 N-NSM ο G3588 T-NSM χριστος G5547 N-NSM

21 απο G575 P EP τοτε G5119 ADV ηρξατο G756 G5662 V-ADI-3S ο G3588 T-NSM ιησους G2424 N-NSM δεικνυειν G1166 G5721 V-PAN τοις G3588 T-DPM μαθηταις G3101 N-DPM αυτου G846 P-GSM οτι G3754 CONJ δει G1163 G5904 V-PQI-3S αυτον G846 P-ASM απελθειν G565 G5629 V-2AAN εις G1519 P EP ιεροσολυμα G2414 N-ASF και G2532 CONJ πολλα G4183 A-APN παθειν G3958 G5629 V-2AAN απο G575 P EP των G3588 T-GPM πρεσβυτερων G4245 A-GPM και G2532 CONJ αρχιερεων G749 N-GPM και G2532 CONJ γραμματεων G1122 N-GPM και G2532 CONJ αποκτανθηναι G615 G5683 V-APN και G2532 CONJ τη G3588 T-DSF τριτη G5154 A-DSF ημερα G2250 N-DSF εγερθηναι G1453 G5683 V-APN

22 και G2532 CONJ προσλαβομενος G4355 G5642 V-2AMP-NSM αυτον G846 P-ASM ο G3588 T-NSM πετρος G4074 N-NSM ηρξατο G756 G5662 V-ADI-3S επιτιμαν G2008 G5721 V-PAN αυτω G846 P-DSM λεγων G3004 G5723 V-PAP-NSM ιλεως G2436 A-NSM-ATT σοι G4671 P-2DS κυριε G2962 N-VSM ου G3756 P T-N μη G3361 P T-N εσται G2071 G5704 V-FXI-3S σοι G4671 P-2DS τουτο G5124 D-NSN

23 ο G3588 T-NSM δε G1161 CONJ στραφεις G4762 G5651 V-2APP-NSM ειπεν G2036 G5627 V-2AAI-3S τω G3588 T-DSM πετρω G4074 N-DSM υπαγε G5217 G5720 V-PAM-2S οπισω G3694 ADV μου G3450 P-1GS σατανα G4567 N-VSM σκανδαλον G4625 N-ASN μου G3450 P-1GS ει G1488 G5748 V-PXI-2S οτι G3754 CONJ ου G3756 P T-N φρονεις G5426 G5719 V-PAI-2S τα G3588 T-APN του G3588 T-GSM θεου G2316 N-GSM αλλα G235 CONJ τα G3588 T-APN των G3588 T-GPM ανθρωπων G444 N-GPM

24 τοτε G5119 ADV ο G3588 T-NSM ιησους G2424 N-NSM ειπεν G2036 G5627 V-2AAI-3S τοις G3588 T-DPM μαθηταις G3101 N-DPM αυτου G846 P-GSM ει G1487 COND τις G5100 X-NSM θελει G2309 G5719 V-PAI-3S οπισω G3694 ADV μου G3450 P-1GS ελθειν G2064 G5629 V-2AAN απαρνησασθω G533 G5663 V-ADM-3S εαυτον G1438 F-3ASM και G2532 CONJ αρατω G142 G5657 V-AAM-3S τον G3588 T-ASM σταυρον G4716 N-ASM αυτου G846 P-GSM και G2532 CONJ ακολουθειτω G190 G5720 V-PAM-3S μοι G3427 P-1DS

25 ος G3739 -NSM γαρ G1063 CONJ αν G302 P T θελη G2309 G5725 V-PAS-3S την G3588 T-ASF ψυχην G5590 N-ASF αυτου G846 P-GSM σωσαι G4982 G5658 V-AAN απολεσει G622 G5692 V-FAI-3S αυτην G846 P-ASF ος G3739 -NSM δ G1161 CONJ αν G302 P T απολεση G622 G5661 V-AAS-3S την G3588 T-ASF ψυχην G5590 N-ASF αυτου G846 P-GSM ενεκεν G1752 ADV εμου G1700 P-1GS ευρησει G2147 G5692 V-FAI-3S αυτην G846 P-ASF

26 τι G5101 I-ASN γαρ G1063 CONJ ωφελειται G5623 G5743 V-PPI-3S ανθρωπος G444 N-NSM εαν G1437 COND τον G3588 T-ASM κοσμον G2889 N-ASM ολον G3650 A-ASM κερδηση G2770 G5661 V-AAS-3S την G3588 T-ASF δε G1161 CONJ ψυχην G5590 N-ASF αυτου G846 P-GSM ζημιωθη G2210 G5686 V-APS-3S η G2228 P T τι G5101 I-ASN δωσει G1325 G5692 V-FAI-3S ανθρωπος G444 N-NSM ανταλλαγμα G465 N-ASN της G3588 T-GSF ψυχης G5590 N-GSF αυτου G846 P-GSM

27 μελλει G3195 G5719 V-PAI-3S γαρ G1063 CONJ ο G3588 T-NSM υιος G5207 N-NSM του G3588 T-GSM ανθρωπου G444 N-GSM ερχεσθαι G2064 G5738 V-PNN εν G1722 P EP τη G3588 T-DSF δοξη G1391 N-DSF του G3588 T-GSM πατρος G3962 N-GSM αυτου G846 P-GSM μετα G3326 P EP των G3588 T-GPM αγγελων G32 N-GPM αυτου G846 P-GSM και G2532 CONJ τοτε G5119 ADV αποδωσει G591 G5692 V-FAI-3S εκαστω G1538 A-DSM κατα G2596 P EP την G3588 T-ASF πραξιν G4234 N-ASF αυτου G846 P-GSM

28 αμην G281 HEB λεγω G3004 G5719 V-PAI-1S υμιν G5213 P-2DP εισιν G1526 G5748 V-PXI-3P τινες G5100 X-NPM των G3588 T-GPM ωδε G5602 ADV εστηκοτων G2476 G5761 V- AP-GPM οιτινες G3748 -NPM ου G3756 P T-N μη G3361 P T-N γευσωνται G1089 G5667 V-ADS-3P θανατου G2288 N-GSM εως G2193 CONJ αν G302 P T ιδωσιν G1492 G5632 V-2AAS-3P τον G3588 T-ASM υιον G5207 N-ASM του G3588 T-GSM ανθρωπου G444 N-GSM ερχομενον G2064 G5740 V-PNP-ASM εν G1722 P EP τη G3588 T-DSF βασιλεια G932 N-DSF αυτου G846 P-GSM

   

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Turn to the Lord for His Protection

Napsal(a) Bill Woofenden

"They fought from heaven; the stars in their courses fought against Sisera." Judges 5:20

Additional readings: Judges 5:1-20, Matthew 16:13-28

We recall the story. It was in the period of the Judges. Joshua had conquered the land and divided it among the twelve tribes. But there were still enemies in the land, and sometimes they prevailed over Israel. Jabin, king of Hazor, had assembled his army of Canaanites, with nine hundred chariots of iron. He had been oppressing Israel for twenty years, and the people were disheartened. Deborah, a prophetess, was called to be Judge, and under assurance from the Lord she called Barak to be captain of Israel's armies. Barak was given the victory, and the verse of our text is part of the song of Deborah and Barak after the battle was won.

The general lesson of the text is that the powers of the heavens are on the side of right. The Psalmist expresses the same thought in these words, "He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me" (Psalm 55:18).

Often we get discouraged. We are aware of our weakness, but we take little account of the Lord and His power which is working for us. We are prone to trust in ourselves. We know about this world and the forces that are against us, but we forget the spiritual forces which are available to us. So we become depressed, like men who can see great difficulties ahead of them and forget that they have allies.

The text teaches us that we should not allow ourselves to come into such a state. We all know from experience that the majority of our troubles are imaginary, and we should also know that we are, in unseen ways, guided and protected by an infinite and all-wise Providence which has our eternal welfare at heart. And we should know that about each one of us there are heavenly forces sufficient, if we will avail ourselves of them, to give us power over every trial through which we may have to pass. "For He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways" (Psalm 91:11).

"In all thy ways." This is true on every plane of life. Even on the natural plane the Lord desires to make us happy, and to protect us from every danger. If He does not do it, it is not because He has forgotten us or lacks the desire or the power, but because we will not look to Him in such a way as to make His help available.

On the spiritual plane He has done all that is necessary for our salvation. If we look to ourselves and seek to set up our own ideals and ambitions, we are inevitably led away from security and peace. If we would forsake our own natural desires and seek to be led by the Lord, to learn and do His will, none of the evil forces could do us any harm, for we should be continually surrounded and guarded by the heavenly forces. So it is written that if we look to the Lord, no evil will befall us. We need not be afraid "for the terror by night, nor for the arrow that flieth by day, nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness, nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday" (Psalm 91:6).

We may not be exempt from pain, from sickness, from poverty and calamity, trial and temptation. But none of these things will harm us. If evil tidings come, we shall not be afraid. If we fall, we shall not be utterly cast down. All things will work together for good, and even in defeat we shall not suffer the enemy to triumph over us, because we shall recognize the Divine Providence in the outcome.

When we recognize that the earth is the Lord's, that it is under His control, and that nothing can take place without His knowledge and permission, our souls can be at peace. "Why art thou cast down, O my soul, and why art thou disquieted within me?" (Psalm 42:5, 11, Psalm 43:5).

Sometimes things seem to go very strangely in this world. Sometimes it seems that everything is in confusion. We see much that offends and distresses us. Yet however confused the affairs of men may be, there is a Divine order which is leading man, as quickly as he will let himself be led, out of confusion and distress toward the establishment of the Lord's kingdom. And whatever the way we must go, we can know that all the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth.

The truth is that we are not only overshadowed and surrounded by spiritual forces, but we are sustained and upheld by them. Even in the natural world the real and dominating forces are spiritual forces.

Our text gives a very vivid picture of things as they are. Everything that exists in this world exists because it corresponds to something in the world of spirit. And we are told that when we come into the world of spirit, things will appear much as they do here, only in far greater beauty. We are further told that—speaking after the manner of man—the heavens of every earth are near that on earth itself, and that the inhabitants of every earth are in association with those heavens. The stars of our text correspond to the spiritual truths which are given for our guidance, and they are also symbols of the heavenly societies which surround and protect us. For we are indeed surrounded by hosts of heavenly beings, beyond whose presence and supervision we cannot wander; and we are constantly under the Divine care and protection, whether we know it or not.

This truth is taught also in another Bible story. The king of Syria was making war against Israel in the days of Elisha the prophet. Through his gift of seership Elisha anticipated the movements of the king of Syria and warned the king of Israel of his danger. At last the Syrian king, learning the real cause of his continual discomfiture, turned his forces against Elisha instead of against the king, and surrounded the prophet in Dothan. In the morning, Elisha's servant discovered the danger in which they were, and was afraid. Then Elisha prayed that the young man's eyes might be opened, and the Lord granted his prayer, so that Elisha's servant saw into the world of spirit, "and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha" (2 Kings 6:17).

Again, at the time of the Lord's birth at Bethlehem, an angel appeared to the shepherds, and "suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace, good will toward men" (Luke 2:14).

In none of these instances were the subjects of the vision transported to some distant place, but standing just where they were they were permitted to see their angelic associates, by the opening of their spiritual sight. If our spiritual eyes could be opened, we should behold spiritual beings surrounding us. We are wont to think of joining those who have gone on before, when we pass into the spiritual world at death. But every moment of our natural lives we ale associated with spiritual beings, either good or evil according to our internal states at the time, and if our spiritual sight were opened, we should see the character of our associates.

There are many instances of help which has come to people through agents in the spiritual world. We read of how people have been warned before making a journey, or warned of some impending disaster. Literature abounds in such incidents. And as we look back on our own lives, though we may not be able to point to any visions or warning or instructive dreams, we should all be able to see at least one instance where Providence has clearly been over us. Spiritual forces are very real, and we should know that we are continually under their care.

We are taught that "the angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them" (Psalm 34:7). Nothing can happen in the universe without the Lord's provision or permission. We should know this, and that the moment we question it, we question His power, and when we question His power, we deny Him.

This is taught directly in the Word, where it is said that not a sparrow falls to the ground without our Father, and that the hairs of our heads are all numbered; which means that not only the most outward events in our lives, which correspond to the hairs of the head, but also the most trivial thoughts which pass through our minds are under the Divine Providence.

This is further taught, so far as our thoughts are concerned, in the Psalms: "He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names" (Psalm 147:4).

The Divine helpfulness through the agency of the heavenly hosts is illustrated in the history of the children of Israel by the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night, and by the many times angels were sent to instruct and guide them in the way. It is pictured by the noise of horses and chariots and of a great host which the Syrians heard but did not see at the siege of Samaria. These instances and many others illustrate the presence and power of the Lord for the guidance and salvation of man. These miraculous instances are recorded in the Word to teach us spiritual lessons regarding the operation of spiritual forces. For these forces are just as real today as they ever were, though they may not come to our conscious knowledge or perception.

But the truth taught in our text is not merely that of the existence of these spiritual forces, but that of the superiority of good over evil. "The Lord taketh our part with them that help us; therefore we shall see our desire on them that hate us" (Psalm 118:7). Angels have all power, for they act from the Lord who is power itself; but evil spirits have no power except such as we give them by our love of evil. We need have no fear. "The Lord of Hosts is with us, the God of Jacob is our refuge" (Psalm 46:7, 11). We may have temporal misfortunes, but no harm will come to our eternal condition. And indeed, if we trust in the Lord, we shall be saved from many of our earthly trials; and those seeming misfortunes which sometimes come upon us we shall accept as a means to spiritual progress.

"Delight thyself in the Lord, and He will give thee the desires of thy heart" (Psalm 37:4).

Good influences are stronger than evil, as heaven is superior to hell. And the Lord's thoughts are always for us, that we may be made happy forever. In His love and wisdom God is guiding us, if only we will be led, to the attainment of this purpose. He is concerned with our spiritual and eternal life, and with the bodily and temporal only as they can be made to contribute to this. For "what is a man profited if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" (Matthew 16:26, Mark 8:36).

If this were not so, there would be no real purpose or intelligence in our Creator, and there would be no way of attaining happier times for mankind upon the earth. Life is not only a struggle against our own personal weaknesses, follies, and sins; it is also a battle for the right, and for peace and joy for mankind here, now, and in the ages yet to come.

And in the battle of life, we are not alone or unaided. The God of Battles is fighting with us. The victory is assured if we are faithful to the end. With the help of a God who we can understand, trust, and love, there should be no doubt as to the outcome.

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, and to give you an expected end....And I will be fond of you, and I will gather you from all nations, and from all places whither I have driven you, saith the Lord, and I will bring you again unto the place whence I have caused you to be carried away captive" (Jeremiah 29:11-14).

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