Today's encouragement comes from a collation of 2 Samuel 8, vv. 6b & 14b, where we read this refrain:
"The LORD preserved David wherever he went. . . . And the LORD preserved David wherever he went."
The Holy Spirit is certainly making a point here. David, the man subject to lots of dangers in his military exploits, and in his being the target of many schem-ing enemies—is preserved by the God who loved him. So it is with every faithful Christian churchman: the way may be tough, the cross is always hard; but the Lord is good, tender, loving, gentle, and kind.
Let us not lose heart, if we belong to Christ. Our victory is sure; and our safe-ty is sealed by God Himself.
[Puritan quote of the day: "Our victory will be further realized as the new man immediately springs to action, and cheerfully fights against lust the moment it appears.” —John Owen, in, "The Mortification of Sin"]