GOD IS OUR SOURCE OF STRENGTH.
God is the strength of his people, and in every age of the world they have found him a strong tower into which they can flee for safety. The strength of God's people does not lie in their own efforts or their own ability, neither does it lie in numbers, nor in any earthly advantage. These things are of great value in their place; but when we make them our dependence and our strength, they become only a snare. "Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts." We can never be weak when God is with us. We can never possess real strength when we are separated from him, although surrounded by earthly support. The people of God combine the elements of strength and weakness in a remarkable manner; they have the strength of God made perfect in their own weakness. They are mighty in God when he is their strength. But none can have this divine strength until they have learned their dependence upon him. Self must die before Christ can live in us. Our first business, therefore, in everything which we undertake for God, is to humble ourselves before him. He will go forth with us to the battle if we make him our refuge and strength. But God will not do the part he has left for us to do. We must do this with carefulness, as though everything depended upon our faithfulness. We must seek God for help, as only those seek him who realize that without him they perish. God is our only source of strength, and he will be the help of his people; and yet if we cherish sin in our hearts it separates us from him and our weakness will be seen. It is in vain that we dare to trust God while cherishing sin in our souls.—Present Truth.