December 1 – The Life of a Christian is…

Hope for Today: A Daily Devotion from Reasons for Hope*Jesus

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“Do not be overcome by evil — but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:21

“Who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good?” 1 Peter 3:13

The life of a Christian is a warfare, and the conflict between sin and holiness and between sorrow and comfort is often very violent. Sin, Satan, self, and the world are his daily enemies. He is also exposed to poverty, affliction, reproaches, and persecution.

O my Savior, help me to overcome every evil in the strength of Your grace; give me a heart to do good to all who may seek to hurt me.

“Who,” my Christian associates, “is he who will harm you, if you become followers of what is good?”  It is not..

• the Father — for He loves you. Not Jesus — He died for you.
• the Spirit — His work is to comfort you.
• good men — they love those who follow that which is good.
• wicked men, nor devils — for though enemies, they are confined and cannot stir one step beyond what your God and Savior permits them.

When you meet with a trial, look not to men — but to Jesus. Pray for patience to bear it and look up for a blessing upon it. Then all things shall work together for good (Romans 8:28). Let every temptation make you more careful and put you on closer watch against the enemy. Cleave to Jesus by faith and prayer, like a child to its parent, when it sees an enemy coming toward it. Behold Him, flee to Him, rest upon Him, and then you will rejoice in Him.

My soul, I charge you to flee to Christ from all danger, and for every needed blessing.

Devotion by Karl Heinrich von Bogatzky (1690—1774)