THE FAMILY ALTAR
July 24.
"Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected." Luke 12:32.
"I love Thy Zion, Lord, The house of Thine abode, The
Church our blest Eedeemer saved With His own precious blood."
And who would not love the Lord's Zion, His holy Church, with
its blessed Gospel of free and saving grace which is our only hope
in life and death ? But have we not cause to fear that the Lord's
Zion, God's holy temple in which every believer is a living stone,
is facing destruction at the hands of its open and secret enemies
in these dangerous and evil days? It is true, God's believing
children in this wicked world resemble a little, helpless flock of
sheep surrounded by snarling, ravenous wolves. But they have
no reason to fear. Their fate lies not in their hands, but in the
hands of their reconciled and omnipotent Father in heaven.
Nothing can pluck them out of those loving hands. No power
on earth or in hell can thwart His holy purpose to give them
His kingdom of grace here and His kingdom of glory hereafter
in heaven. Their salvation is assured for time and eternity. Let
us but see to it that we are members of Christ's true, believing
little flock, then we shall have no cause to fear for our persons
or for the Church we love so much. Like soldiers sure of their
final victory in the battle, we will wage our Savior's battles with
unflinching courage and carry on His saving Gospel-work with
renewed zeal and energy in spite of all opposition. With God,
the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, on our side, we are in over-
whelming majority as compared with our numerous foes. "The
kingdom ours remaineth!"
Fear not, 0 little flock, the foe
Who madly seeks your overthrow;
Dread not his rage and power:
What though your courage sometimes faints,
His seeming triumph o'er God's saints
Lasts but a little hour.
Be of good cheer; your cause belongs
To him who can avenge your wrongs;
Leave it to Him, our Lord.
Though hidden yet from mortal eyes,
His Gideon shall for you arise.
Uphold you and His Word.
