We read in 2 Samuel 5:17, “When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, they went up in full force to search for him.”

The moment we receive anything from the Lord worth fighting for, the Devil comes seeking to destroy us.

When the Enemy confronts us at the threshold of any great work for God, we should accept it as evidence of our salvation, and claim double the blessing, victory, and power. Power is developed through resistance.

The force and the amount of damage created by an exploding artillery shell appear to be greater because of the resistance at the point of impact.

A power plant produces additional electricity by using the friction of the rotating turbines.

And one day, we too will understand that even Satan has been used as one of God’s instruments of blessing.

DAYS OF HEAVEN UPON EARTH

A hero is not fed on sweets, Daily his own heart he eats; Chambers of the great are jails, And head winds right for royal sails. RALPH WALDO EMERSON

Tribulation is the door to triumph. The valley leads to the open highway, and tribulation’s imprint is on every great accomplishment.

Crowns are cast in crucibles, and the chains of character found at the feet of God are forged in earthly flames.

No one wins the greatest victory until he has walked the winepress of woe.

With deep furrows of anguish on His brow, the “man of sorrows” (Isaiah 53:3 NASB) said, “In this world you will have trouble” (John 16:33).

But immediately comes the psalm of promise, “Take heart! I have overcome the world.”

The footprints are visible everywhere. The steps that lead to thrones are stained with spattered blood, and scars are the price for scepters.

We will wrestle our crowns from the giants we conquer.

It is no secret that grief has always fallen to people of greatness.

The mark of rank in nature Is capacity for pain; And the anguish of the singer Makes the sweetest of the strain.

Tribulation has always marked the trail of the true reformer.

It was true in the story of Paul, Luther, Savonarola, Knox, Wesley, and the rest of God’s mighty army.

They came through great tribulation to their point of power.

Every great book has been written with the author’s blood.

“These are they who have come out of the great tribulation” (Revelation 7:14).

In spite of his blindness, wasn’t Homer the unparalleled poet of the Greeks?

And who wrote the timeless dream of Pilgrim’s Progress?

Was it a prince in royal robes seated on a couch of comfort and ease?

No! The lingering splendor of John Bunyan’s vision gilded the dingy walls of an old English jail in Bedford, while he, a princely prisoner and a glorious genius, made a faithful transcript of the scene.

Great is the easy conqueror; Yet the one who is wounded sore, Breathless, all covered o’er with blood and sweat, Sinks fainting, but fighting evermore— Is greater yet.

Just as old soldiers compare their battle scars and stories of war when they get together, when we arrive at our heavenly home, we will tell of the goodness and faithfulness of God, who brought us through every trial along the way.

I would not like to stand with the multitude clothed in robes made “white in the blood of the Lamb” (Revelation 7:14) and hear these words: “ ‘These are they who have come out of the great tribulation’— all except you.”

How would you like to stand there and be pointed out as the only saint who never experienced sorrow? Never! You would feel like a stranger in the midst of a sacred fellowship. Therefore may we be content to share in the battle, for we will soon wear a crown of reward and wave a palm branch of praise. CHARLES H. SPURGEON

During the American Civil War, at the battle of Lookout Mountain, Tennessee, a surgeon asked a soldier where he was hurt. The wounded soldier answered, “Right near the top of the mountain.” He was not thinking of his gaping wound but was only remembering that he had won the ground near the top of the mountain.

May we also go forth to higher endeavors for Christ, never resting until we can shout from the mountaintop, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

Finish your work, then rest, Till then rest never; Since rest for you with God Is rest forever.

God will examine your life not for medals, diplomas, or degrees but for battle scars. A medieval singer once sang of his hero: With his trusty sword for aid; Ornament it carried none, But the notches on the blade.

What nobler medal of honor could any godly person seek than the scars of service, personal loss for the crown of reward, disgrace for the sake of Christ, and being worn out in the Master’s service!

Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the Lord shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended.

He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth.

These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.

They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.

For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters.

God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

I know, O Lord , that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.

O Lord , thou art our father, we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.

It is the Lord : let him do what seemeth him good.

Righteous art thou, O Lord , when I plead with thee: yet let me talk with thee of thy judgments.

He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.

Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord.

Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered.

Rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died.—It is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.—I am the LORD. The blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you.

There is . . . no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.

What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

The life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.

Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.—The blood of the Lamb.—The precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.—Without shedding of blood is no remission.—The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

By his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.—Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith.

Ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

Who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap.

I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and peoples, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands. These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more: neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.

For the Lamb, which is in the midst of the throne, shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

There is no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.—Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free.

The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.

We are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.

I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing.

Ye are washed, . . . ye are sanctified, . . . ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

The King's daughter is all glorious within.

Perfect through my comeliness, which I had put upon thee, saith the Lord GOD.

Let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us.

These are they which . . . have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

A glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but . . . holy and without blemish.

Ye are complete in him.

In the world ye shall have tribulation.—The whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.—We that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.

These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb, Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.

They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.

For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters; and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.