Grace Is Provided
Jesus says, "Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." Your Leader is a conqueror. Advance to victory. "Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." "Without me ye can do nothing."
How precious are these assurances that we shall never be left to take one step in our own finite strength; for he has said, "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." We are fighting in the presence of invisible hosts. Unseen intelligences survey the whole array of evil, and help is at hand. We shall not only be provided with that which is necessary, but shall be placed upon vantage ground. Let us be more hopeful; let us encourage one another in the most holy faith. It is as essential that Christ should touch our hearts now by his Holy Spirit, as that he should redeem our souls by his most precious life. To every Christian comes the word that was addressed to Peter, "Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: but I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not." Thank God we are not left alone. This is our safety. Satan can never touch with eternal disaster one whom Christ has prepared for temptation by his previous intercession; for grace is provided in Christ for every soul, and a way of escape has been made, so that no one need fall under the power of the enemy.
YI, December 20, 1894