July 19

The people of Jebus said to David, “You will never get in here.” Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion (that is, the City of David). — 1 Chr 11:5 BSB

Many of you spend so much time fighting small battles because you haven’t had one sharp, decisive victory at the start. It is much easier to win one great battle than to spend a lifetime skirmishing. I know people who spend forty years fighting their “besetting sin,” wasting strength they could have used to evangelize the world.

Dear friends, is it worth throwing away your life like this? Have one battle, win one victory, and then praise God. Just as the Israelites had rest from their enemies, you can have rest too. Yes, entering into this rest requires labor. The height is steep, and the way of the cross is not easy. But once you enter in, there is perfect rest. May God grant us this perfect rest.

O come and leave thy sinful self forever
Beneath the fountain of the Savior's blood;
O come, and take Him as thy Sanctifier,
Come thou with us and we will do thee good.

Come to the land where all the foes are vanquished,
And sorrow, sin, disease, and death subdued;
O weary soul! by Satan bruised and baffled,
Come thou with us and we will do thee good.