Today's encouragement comes from 1 Samuel 23:14, where we read these words:
"And David stayed in strongholds in the wilderness, and remained in the mountains in the Wilderness of Ziph. Saul sought him every day, but God did not deliver him into his hand."The devil, his demons, and God's human enemies pursue Christ's true churchmen "every day"; but thankfully, our loving Heavenly Father does not allow us to be delivered into their hands. There are times when it is appro-priate for us to hide in God's "strongholds"; and there are other times when we have to go on the offensive, and put our adversaries to flight (cf. Jas. 4:7).
In any case, there is never a permanent reprieve from this spiritual dynamic while we are down here as the church militant. At all times, we are to be watchful and diligent. In Christ, however, we always possess the victory, (cf. Rom. 8:37).
[Puritan quote of the day: "The fragrance of the graces of God's Spirit in His people, which is delightful to God and His saints, puts wicked men into a rage.” —Jeremiah Burroughs, in, "The Excellency of a Gracious Spirit"]
