For Victory over the World
‘’“Whatsoever is “born of God orercometh ttie world,” — 1 John v. 4.
0 ETERNAL, everlasting God, Thou art glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, continually doing wonders. Heaven and earth are full of the majesty of Thy glory. Thou, the almighty keeper of Israel, never slumberest. There is not the moment I am away from Thy wakeful vigilance. In the defenceless hours of sleep, as well as amid life’s activities and toils, Thou art ever the same — “compassing my path and my lying down, and intimately acquainted with all my ways.”
1 rejoice to think that I have the assurance of such unwearying watchfulness and care, in a world “lying in wickedness.” Blessed Jesus, in the world Thou hast forewarned me to expect tribulation, but, nevertheless, I will “be of good cheer, for Thou hast overcome the world.” Thou hast traversed its wilderness-depths — Thou hast passed through the shadow of its darkest valley. I cannot dread what Thou hast trodden and conquered.
But, alas! I have to mourn that the world which crucified Thee, should be so much loved by me — that its pleasures should be so fascinating — its pursuits so engrossing. Wean me from it. Break its alluring spell. Strip it of its counterfeit charms. Discover to me its hollowness — the treachery of its promises — the precariousness of its best blessings — the fleeting nature of its most enduring friendships. I take comfort in the thought,” The Lord God is a sun and shield.-’ The world has deceived me, but Thou never hast. Guide me by Thy counsel. Saviour-God, let me come up from the wilderness leaning on Thine arm, exulting, amid its legion-foes, that greater is He that is with me than all they that can be against me.
O Thou who, in Thy last prayer on earth, didet so touchingly say of Thy pilgrim people,” These are in the world;” do Thou still bend Thy pitying eye upon me, as I travel, burdened with sin and sorrow, through the valley of tears. Do Thou so “sanctify me through Thy truth,” that, though in the world, I may not be of it — not conformed to its sinful practices and lying vanities. Bring me to say, with regard to all in it that was once so fascinating, “My soul is even as a weaned child.” With my face Zion wards, may I declare plainly that I seek “a better country.”
Grant that this day, in all my worldly intercourse, I may have the realizing sense of Thy presence and nearness. May I set a watch on my heart, and keep the door of my lips. May cherished feelings of love and devotedness to Thee be intermingled with all life’s duties and engagements. May I know that a simple faith in Jesus is the great secret of victory over the world. O may the trembling magnet of my vacillating affections be ever pointing to Him, and then I shall be made “more than conqueror.”
Through His all-prevailing merits and advocacy, hear my prayer. In His most precious blood, forgive all my sins. By His indwelling grace, sanctify my nature, that my whole body, soul, and spirit may be preserved blameless until His coming. Amen.
“CAUSE ME TO HEAR THY LOVING-KINDNESS IN THE MOKNING, FOR IN THEE DO I TRUST.”