To E. M., March 7, 1853.
Dearly-beloved and longed-for in Christ Jesus,
"Grace, mercy, and peace be multiplied to you by the revelation of Jesus
Christ." "Blessed are all who wait for Him." "Therefore, prepare your minds
for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given
you when Jesus Christ is revealed." "Do do not conform to the evil desires
you had when you lived in ignorance." "Do not conform any longer to the
pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind."
"Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord Almighty."
You mentioned being cast down by Psalm 41:11, "By this I
know that you favor me, because my enemy does not triumph over me," because
your inward enemies seem to triumph over you. Did you not forget that
word, "Gad, a troop shall overcome him, but he shall overcome at the last,"
and I believe, indeed, that most of the Lord's soldiers experience this
before they can say, "By you I have run through a troop;" and "By my God I
have leaped over a wall."
Our own strength must be exhausted--that out of weakness
we may be made strong. And our own efforts in 'creature will and power' be
proved of no avail--that we may feel and know that the battle is the Lord's,
and cry to Him for help, while giving Him all the glory. I was much struck
the other day in observing, that though Joshua bid the captains set their
feet on the necks of the five kings, he himself slew them. So it is with our
spiritual Joshua; He alone could finish transgression and make an end of
sin. He has done it; and in the set time does, in the experience of each of
His children, take away the dominion of their corruptions, though they are
prolonged for a season like those beasts mentioned in Dan. 7:12.
If you, beloved, have not yet had that sensible
overcoming given which you desire, be not cast down, but cry unto the Lord,
and you shall before long find it, as in 1 Chron. 5:20, 22. Many have
realized this who have felt like the Psalmist, in Psalm 6, with regard to
these inward foes. The Lord pardon what I have wrongly expressed. "If
you will, you can make me clean;" and He said, "I will, be clean." Perhaps
your heart will join me once more in saying, "Lord, increase our faith."
I sincerely wish you every blessing and covenant-favor.
My love be with you all in Christ Jesus,
Yours, Ruth—less than the least.