But-- But HIS Eyes Are Upon Me!

My subtlest and strongest 

enemies are within myself!

(Alexander Smellie, "The Secret Place" 1907)

Fighting a long and hard campaign, I shall

be very foolish if I underestimate my foes.

There are many of them, but they serve

under a trinity of wicked captains.

1. "If any man loves the WORLD,"

writes John, "the love of the FATHER

is not in him."

The World is my sworn and

unrelenting enemy--

an enemy all the more dangerous

because it professes to be

something so different--

the best of comrades and

the truest of friends.

I must take my part, and that with

diligence, in the World's business.

Yet what a risk there is, that it should

absorb my thoughts morning and night!

Then I shall become selfish 

and earthly and unspiritual.

I must make acquaintance with

the World's literature, and much of it

is beautiful and good. But I am prone

to give it an undue attention, and to

forget the divine library which GOD'S 

finger has penned. 

I must mingle among the World's

citizens, and many of them are love-

worthy and full of charm. Yet, when I

prize them overmuch, they separate me

from FATHER and SON and HOLY SPIRIT.

Under its kindly face--

the World is a hostile power!

2. "Your adversary the DEVIL,"

writes Peter. Here is another

stupendous antagonist. The accuser 

of the brethren prowls about, unseen

and malignant, sleeplessly plotting

my harm!

Never should I leave off

my spiritual armor.

"The FLESH lusts against the Spirit,"

writes Paul. After all, my subtlest and 

strongest enemies are within myself! 

Old sin comes back, seeking the mastery 

again. And much in me loves it, and goes 

out to meet and embrace it. There, indeed, 

is my greatest hazard--

there my most deadly snare!

"O wretched man that I am!" 

I re-echo the ancient cry, 

"who shall deliver me from 

the body of this death?"

Yes, my worst foes are entrenched 

within the citadel of Man-soul, 

within my own heart!

My GOD I have no might against 

this great company, neither do 

I know what to do! 

But--

but my eyes are upon YOU!

"To HIM who is able to keep you 
from falling and to present you before 
HIS glorious presence without fault and 
with great joy--to the only GOD our SAVIOR 
be glory, majesty, power and authority, 
through JESUS CHRIST our LORD, 
before all ages, now and forevermore!" 
Jude 1:24-25 

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GraceGems has published John Newton's encouraging 1 page letter,
 "All our concerns are in His hands!"