This Day With God

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A Standard Against the Enemy, July 9

When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him. Isaiah 59:19. TDG 199.1

God desires every man to understand his duty and obey the call, working in the way of the Lord, not after his own devising. God always rewards the confidence of His people. The way to the throne of mercy is always open. God sees the wants of His people as clearly in the darkness of midnight which surrounds them as in the splendor of noonday. To look to God for help at all times, this is our safety. TDG 199.2

When God grants us His protection, and says of us, “Ye are labourers together with me,” if you keep the way of the Lord you are safe in the midst of the greatest dangers. When Satan seeks to deceive the child of faith and trust, God lifts up a standard against the enemy in behalf of those who are conscientiously working in harmony with Him. The standard which He uplifts is His law. Those who work righteousness have an ever-present Friend to help them. In every time of need and trouble and perplexity He is near them. When they are tempted He presents Himself as their defense, saying, “I will guide thee with Mine eye. I will deliver thee from perplexity, and be a covert for thee against the strife of tongues.” TDG 199.3

The Lord sees not as man sees. Those whom He loves and honors most are often the objects of the scorn and derision of the enemy. He desires us to learn the lesson that we shall not gain success in the work by following the criterion of the world or the devising of human beings.... TDG 199.4

Hypocrisy and pretense can find no place with God. All that we put our hands to is performed [as] in the sight of the heavenly intelligences. All the thoughts of the mind, all the aspirations of the soul, are read by Him with whom we have to do. The victories gained by the soul are not measured by outside appearance or by the praise of men, but by goodness and mercy and tender compassion and a firm adherence to God's law.... TDG 199.5

God's people are in danger, notwithstanding the great light that shines upon their pathway, of following the customs of the world.... TDG 199.6

Let us be true to our colors. Let us raise the standard on which is inscribed, “The commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.”—Letter 99, July 9, 1900, to a physician in Australia. TDG 199.7