Victory in Spiritual Battles

(1) God's children usually, in their troubles, overcome by suffering. Here lambs overcome lions, and doves overcome eagles, by suffering. That they may be conformable to Christ, who conquered most when he suffered most.
(2) God's victory is by degrees. They are too hasty spirited that would conquer as soon as they strike the first stroke. The Israelites were sure of their victory in their journey to Canaan, yet they still had to fight it out.
(3) God often works by contraries: when he means to give victory, he will allow us to be foiled at first; when he means to comfort, he will terrify first; when he means to justify, he will condemn us first; when he means to make us glorious, he will abase us first. Even when the believer is conquered by some sins, he gets victory over others more dangerous, such as spiritual pride and security in self.
(4) Christ's work, both in the church and the hearts of Christians, often goes backward so that it may better go forward. A seed rots in the ground in the winter time, but after comes up better. So, we learn to stand by falls, and get strength by weakness discovered. Let us labour to exercise our faith. When we are foiled, let us believe we will overcome; when we have fallen, let us believe we will rise again. Jacob, after he received a blow, yet would not give over wrestling (Gen. 32:25) till he had obtained the blessing. So, let us never give up, but, in our thoughts, knit the beginning, progress, and end together, and then we will see ourselves in heaven out of the reach of all enemies. Weakness with watchfulness will stand when strength with too much confidence fails. Weakness also is the fittest seat and subject for God to perfect his strength in; for consciousness of our infirmities drives us out of ourselves to him in whom our strength lies.

Devotional Readings taken from Puritan Richard Sibbes 'Refreshment for the Soul.'
The Bruised Reed, pp. 94-96 [106-08]
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