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I. THE ENEMIES OF GOD'S PEOPLE. We know that the inhabitants of Canaan were emphatically idolaters. This was their special characteristic. Now it is idolatry, in some shape or other, that draws men away from the service of God. Some make pleasure their idol; some make wealth their idol. But their enemies are many in number. There is a special danger in the present day arising from those false doctrines which have arisen in the household of faith and caused hostile parties in the Church. In connection with this I may mention a contrary error — latitudinarianism. Again, the world is very dangerous; the example of those who live in it is most seductive. Again, we meet with those who are men of learning and great talent, and we are exposed to danger even from them. We hear them maintaining opinions which are not scriptural, but we think it is scarcely possible for those who are so learned to be wrong; we are thus left to ask in perplexity, "Who is in the right?" We forget that men must "become fools that they may be wise" as respects spiritual knowledge. But there are enemies within. And here I must not omit to place in the forefront self, in all its varied forms (2 Timothy 3:1-5). Then, again, we have to contend against the whole army of lusts — "the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life." All these are of the world, and all these lust against the Spirit, so that we cannot do the things that we would.

II. Now let us inquire what are the WEAPONS with which we must fight? Scripture teaches us (2 Corinthians 10:4) that "the weapons of our warfare are not carnal." Amongst our defensive weapons I may mention, as the first and chiefest, prayer. With this we must join faith in the promises. And, also, we must remember that throughout our whole life we shall have need of active watchfulness. There are also offensive weapons which we are bound to use. The first of these which I will mention is consistency. Outward consistency of character deters many from attempting their proposed assaults. Nor must we forget the Word of God. Here, indeed, is our great weapon; and so powerful is it, that it is the great desire of Satan to keep it out of our reach.

III. But I own there are great DIFFICULTIES in the way. The first to which I will allude is that which arises from our peculiar position in the world. We must be in the world, and the difficulty at the same time is to take care that we are not of the world. To have a wise discerning judgment; to distinguish between the fulfilment of our duty in that station of life in which God has placed us, and the yielding to the secret subtle snares of Satan, is often a work of great difficulty for the Christian. Again, the Christian's difficulties and afflictions are not all at once removed. Like the enemies of the Jews they are put down, as it were, "little by little." It is a gradual and a progressive work. But assuredly it does progress towards final victory. But numerous as are our enemies, great as are our difficulties, blessed be God, we have —

IV. OUR ENCOURAGEMENTS also. And first among these we know we shall have the victory. The promise of victory has been given, and it is as sure as if it were accomplished. We know that we are on the conquering side. The numbers of our enemies, then, need not terrify us. "Greater is He that is for us than all they that are against us." The past mercies we have received are all pledges of future mercies. If we had but received that one pledge of God's love which He afforded us in the gift of His Son for us, this would of itself be sufficient to encourage the assurance of hope. For (Romans 8:32) we have nothing to fear from present weakness. The Lord has laid help upon One that is mighty to save. Though our gracious Saviour is not Himself personally present He has told us the reason (John 16:7). Still He is spiritually present with us. His Spirit still abides with His Church — and therefore with us, if we be indeed members of that Church — comforting us, assisting us, strengthening us, and ensuring us victory at the last. Furthermore, the Lord is on our side. "The Lord thy God will do this"

(H. M. Villiers, M. A.)

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KJV: Thou shalt not be affrighted at them: for the LORD thy God is among you, a mighty God and terrible.

WEB: You shall not be scared of them; for Yahweh your God is in the midst of you, a great and awesome God.