+I. The number and might of the enemies of the Gospel.+ It is always
unwise to underrate the forces of the enemy. Injury has been done to
the cause of missions by this action. Good men in the ardour of their
zeal seemed to speak as though heathendom was to be won by one new
crusade, and that the walls of Satan's kingdom would fall flat at a
single blast of their rams' horns. But Scripture takes opposite
ground, and intimates that there must be a continuous and persistent
struggle. Our great General does not conquer in a single campaign; He
goes forth "conquering and to conquer." These numerous and powerful
enemies of Christ's kingdom arise from our own corrupt nature; from
the peculiar circumstances of the heathen world; from every class of
society, and are perpetually set in motion by the powers of darkness.
Though they are "the multitude of all the nations," they have one
prince, "the prince of the powers of darkness." To prevent our
forming exaggerated pictures of success, let us remember: 1. _That
the original enmity of the human heart is always and everywhere the
same._ Every sinful passion of the human heart starts up an armed
enemy against Christ and His truth. If at home after centuries of
Christian work, the obstacles to the gospel are so great, how much
more formidable must they be in pagan lands! 2. _The power of Satan
is at all times the same._ And if here he rules supreme in the
children of disobedience, what must his power be in those heathen
lands where he is so strongly entrenched in superstition, idolatry
and prejudices, crimes and passions of men confederated with him
since Adam fell! 3. _The world at large, in its spirit and pursuits,
is decidedly hostile._ Even in our own country, how few can be looked
upon as the genuine disciples of Christ, the true soldiers of the
Cross! How mighty the forces sent out even here against the Lord and
against His anointed! This part of the earth is still in the hands of
the wicked.
+II. The utter futility and certain overthrow of their projects.+
1. _Their schemes are all fallacious and visionary._ "It shall be as
when a hungry man dreameth." What more delusive than a dream!
2. _Their disappointment is certain._ The history of the past is
against them. Past history has verified the words of the Master, "And
the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" (Matt. xvi. 18). The
prophecy of the covenant of grace, the very progress of civilisation,
but more than all the very existence of God, is against them. "The
Lord reigneth; let the earth rejoice" (Ps. xcvii. 1).
+III. The glory that shall rise from thence to Zion's King+ (Ps.
lxxii. 10, 11, 15). His wisdom will baffle all their designs, His
power crush every hostile force, and His kingdom rise on the ruin of
their dark confederacies (1 Cor. xv. 25).--_Samuel Thodey._