Mon., 8/12/19 Devotion (1 Sam. 2:1b)

Today's encouragement comes from 1 Samuel 2:1b, where we read these words:

" . . . I smile at my enemies, because I rejoice in Your salvation."

This little phrase (above), originally spoken by Hannah the mother of the prophet Samuel, inspires us today. When the Bible speaks of God, or His churched children, "smiling" at their foes, what it means is that they are relish-ing their victory over them (in Christ).

The poor devil is quite a miserable creature. He envies the freedom of the true children of God; and though he troubles us as best he can, in the end everything Satan seeks to do against us (the church) only forwards our happi-ness (in the end). The same can be said for the flesh, and the world. In light of this, let us "smile at [all our] enemies."

[Puritan quote of the day: "Take heed, that you do not lay the stress and weight of all your comfort upon duty . . . “ —William Bridge, in, "A Lifting Up for the Downcast"]