Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 171, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 July 1913 — Short Sermons FOR A Sunday Half=Hour [ARTICLE]

Short Sermons FOR A Sunday Half=Hour

THE BATTLE OF LIFE.

BY REV. GEORGE DANIEL HADLEY

The •word of the Lord, and «f Gideon.—Judge*, vll, 20. It is the peculiar battle cry of that still more peculiar battle of long ago. Gideon had been Misy threshing wheat for his father when suddenly he heard the voice of the Lord saying: —"Go, and thou shalt save Israel.” He felt very small and Insignificant and held back. Finally he realized that, although he was only Gideon, yet wtth the Lord of Hosts as his might and his power the weakness of man might be turned Into strength If the cause were righteous and the ambition unselfish. So Gideon obeyed; tor the Mldlanltes were threatening God’s people, and he blew a trumpet and called t» gether an the mighty men of valor, and to each of the three hundred fearless and alert soldier* who stood his test he handed, not a shining sword, not a glittering spea*% nor even z bow and arrow, but a. trumpet, an empty pitcher and. a lamp! Softly but firmly they crept into the enemy’s oamp and at the proper signal they smashed their pitchers and waved their lamps and shouted through their trumpets "The sword of the Lord, and of Gideon!” And the Mldlanltes, terrified beyond measure, fled in wild confusion. Bnt why was not the battle cry merely “The sword of the Lord”? Why should be added or even considered in the same connection the phrase “and of Gideon"? Was not that rather resumptuous? Not that the last part of that battle cry not only indicates no vain arrogance, but tt Is absolutely essential to the victory. Gideon in pulpit and pew, in his office or his home, whatever his calling may t>e, business professional or domestic, Is not only tolerated by God, but is vitally necessary to Qod‘*s plans. When God wishes to accomplish thing* among men he uses men for the work. The struggle of God and of Gideon in the world Is one and the same struggle for righteous advancement. As soon as we realize this, making Gpd’s fight our fight, realizing that our victories are His victories and oqr defeats His defeats, religion becomes something active and inspiring and our daily labors become noble. And as we go forth to life’s battle, deeming It more than worth while if in our small way we can overcome even one of God’s enemies, behold we find that our army is a plain business suit covering a character determined and brave and thoughtful, and the sword of the Lord is no glittering or gleaming weapon, but a common lamp or pitcher or such tools as we use in our home or our office' or our shop every day. And the greatness and goodness of life depend upon whether we look upon all we possess as our own alone or as our own for Him, to he wielded by us In His battle. "May His shield of love be over our heads in temptation, and may His sword, which 1b the living word, never have Its edge turned In our hands by vanity or fear or neglect."