​September 28

Your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: whom resist steadfast in the faith — 1 Pet. 5:8, 9.
 
This thought of Satan's opposition to us, and that we are contending not merely with flesh and blood but with principalities and powers and wicked spirits in high positions of power, would be appalling to us did we not on the other hand realize that by positiveness of decision we acquire great helps and assistances by other unseen powers. From that moment of our positive resistance of temptation and positive standing up for the Lord and His cause, we become stronger in the Lord and in the power of His might, and greater is He that is for us than all that be against us. … Hesitancy after the wrong is seen increases the power of the temptation—Z '04, 11; '00, 32 (R 3300, 2565).
 
Satan is not only the enemy of mankind in general, but especially of the Lord's people, and that because of their loyalty to God. Satan desires to destroy their lives; and nothing gives him more pleasure than the destruction of the new heart, mind and will. A veritable lion he is, seeking to devour us as his prey. Mere passivity on our part will not overcome him. Nor will even a strong temporary resistance finally repulse him. We must persevere in resistance, using not carnal but spiritual weapons, even the Word and Spirit of the Lord. The Spirit, cutting with the keen, Damascene blade of the Word into his vitals, effectually drives him away from us—P '33, 147.
 
Parallel passages: 1 Pet. 1:13; Luke 21:34; Rom. 13:13; 1 Cor. 16:13; 1 Thes. 5:6, 8; 1 Pet. 4:7; Job 1:7, 9-12; 2:2-7; Luke 22:31; John 8:44; 1 Chron. 21:1; Zech. 3:1, 2; Matt. 4:1-11; 13:19, 38, 39; John 13:2, 27; 2 Cor. 2:11; 11:3, 14, 15; Eph. 6:11-17; Jas. 4:7.

Hymns: 145, 1, 13, 20, 130, 136, 183.
Poems of Dawn, 130: Be Vigilant.
Tower Reading: Z '13, 54 (R 5183).

Questions: Have I this week soberly guarded myself against Satan? How? With what results?

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BE VIGILANT

UP then, and linger not, thou saint of God,
Fling from thy shoulders each impending load;
Be brave and wise, shake off earth's soil and sin,
That with the Bridegroom thou mayst enter in.
O watch and pray!

Clear hath the voice been heard, Behold I've come— 
That voice that calls thee to thy glorious home,
That bids thee leave these vales and take swift wing,
To meet the hosts of thy descending King;— 
And thou mayst rise!

Here's a thick throng of foes, afar and near;
The grave in front, a hating world in rear;
Yet flee thou canst not, victory must be won,
Ere fall the shadows of thy setting sun:— ​
And thou must fight.

Gird on thine armor; face each weaponed foe;
Deal with the Sword of heaven the deadly blow;
Forward, still forward, till the prize Divine
Rewards thy zeal, and victory is thine;
Win thou the crown.

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