SHALL WE PERMIT HIM TO SUCCEED?
By Julia Duffie
THERE is nothing which Satan more dreads than to see Christians happy, especially if this joy is apparent to others. It is an advertisement for Christianity which he cannot afford to let stand unmolested. Hence many of his strongest efforts are directed to this one object. If he can cause gloom and discouragement which shall be outwardly manifested, his point is gained; for his great desire is to represent Christ as a hard master, his promises unsatisfactory, and his service a weary task. But does not Jesus command us to rejoice evermore? And does he require impossibilities? If he bids us to ever rejoice, he must certainly have provided the resources necessary for such a condition. But this does not imply that the Christian shall have no trials; for we are assured that they will have many. But in the trial is just where the value of the provision becomes realized. Satan is permitted to kindle the fire, but the Christian's privilege is to claim a companionship through the flame which will not only bring the tried one through safely but will also bring honor to God's name as it demonstrates his willingness to support his trusting children in all circumstances. Shall we then when trial comes upon us say to the world by our conduct, or even by the expression of our countenance: "Christ does not sustain me, though he promised to do so. He tells us to rejoice in tribulation, but do you not see that I am unable to do so?" Do we not in this way give Satan cause for triumph? Does he not thus succeed in accomplishing his object? and do we not by acquiescence in his plans thus aid him in temporarily defeating God's purpose? Many have died singing God's praise, although enduring all that men and demons could bring against them. There are also many living who can testify that it was only in deep trial or bodily suffering that they first fully proved the Saviour's power and willingness to comfort and bless. Thus we see that God has a grand purpose in permitting all these things both toward ourselves and toward his own name. But Satan also has a purpose, and does it not rest in a great measure with us to determine which shall gain the victory in our case. Jesus says, "My grace is sufficient;" "he shall deliver thee in six troubles; yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee." God has given us many such precious assurances. But Satan comes to the Christian and says, "That doesn't mean you," or "it does not apply at this time." Whom shall we believe? If we truly do believe that the "form of the Fourth" is with us, can we sink under trial? As the angel who is to lighten the earth with his glory succeeds in making a rift in the gross darkness covering the people, Satan especially bestirs himself to prevent the precious rays from reaching "them that mourn in Zion." Nevertheless they may claim beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. For, like the One who speeds him on his glorious mission, this mighty angel comes to bind up the broken-hearted, to open the prison to them that are bound, to do for God's waiting children just that which needs to be done for each one. Many are the devices by which Satan seeks to prevent the Christian from realizing and claiming the power the humblest may wield against his ignoble warfare. He has had too long practice studying and dealing with human nature not to know on which point each one may be most easily wounded, but as he discovers our weak points, God says, "My strength is made perfect in weakness," and, lo! the vulnerable place is immediately shielded by an armor which Satan's keenest shaft can in nowise pierce. Were God to remove his protection from us even in a measure, as he did in Job's case, permitting us to meet Satan's enmity in our own strength for a time, no doubt we would be better prepared to realize what daily cause we have for praise and thankfulness for continual love and watchcare. In the closing verses of the ninety-sixth and ninety-eighth Psalms we have an expression of God's side of the case immediately preceding our Lord's coming "to judge the earth with righteousness and the people with his truth." And now when God is calling upon the heaven and the earth to rejoice and be glad, when the fields and all that is therein are exhorted to be joyful, the floods to clap their hands, and the trees of the wood to rejoice, because the triumphs of his kingdom are at hand, shall the heirs of that kingdom hang their harps upon the willows and aid Satan in prolonging his dark reign?—Oh, no! Let us assert our privilege of beginning to learn the "new song," which shall never grow old, as, "like the voice of many waters," it rises in joyful strains of love and praise before the great white throne.