Psalm 68:28

It is our wisdom, as well as our necessity, to ask God earnestly and continually to strengthen what He has worked in us. It is because of their neglect in this that many Christians may blame themselves for those trials and afflictions of spirit which arise from unbelief. It is true that Satan seeks to flood the fair garden of the heart and make it a scene of desolation, but it is also true that many Christians leave open the floodgates themselves, and let in the dreadful deluge through carelessness and lack of prayer to their strong Helper.

We often forget that the Author of our faith must also be its Preserver. The lamp which was burning in the temple was never allowed to go out, but it had to be daily refilled with fresh oil; in the same way, our faith can only live by being sustained with the oil of grace, and we can only obtain this from God Himself.

We shall prove to be foolish virgins if we do not secure the needed provision for our lamps. He who built the world upholds it, or it would fall in one tremendous crash; He who made us Christians must maintain us by His Spirit, or our ruin will be swift and final.

Let us, then, evening by evening, go to our Lord for the grace and strength we need. We have a strong argument to plead, for it is His own work of grace which we ask Him to strengthen—that which thou hast wrought for us. Do you think He will fail to protect and sustain that?

Only let your faith take hold of His strength, and all the powers of darkness, led on by the master demon of hell, cannot cast a cloud or shadow over your joy and peace. Why faint when you may be strong? Why suffer defeat when you may conquer? Oh! Take your wavering faith and drooping graces to Him who can revive and restore them, and earnestly pray, Strengthen, O God, that which thou hast wrought for us.