Chrysostom
Beloved of All
You cry out with many words, multiplying petitions as if the Lord needed reminding, yet He knows your needs before you ask. This very outpouring reveals a heart aflame with desire, and that is good, but let us examine it. You plead the blood of Christ, you ask for a wall of fire and warrior angels, and you pile Scripture upon Scripture. This is not wrong, for the promises of God are your shield. But do not think that the mere recitation of verses compels the Almighty as though by a spell. The devil himself quoted Scripture, yet remained the devil. The wall of fire is not built by many words but by a life that burns with the same fire, a life that flees from sin and cleaves to holiness. For what if you are free from one danger, yet remain careless about hearing the word and doing it? No one part is sufficient for our salvation, but there is required first a careful hearing, a continual recollection, then fortitude, then contempt of all worldly things.
You ask for deliverance from attacks and abuse, and that is right. But know that it is not the hands of men or the malice of the enemy that ultimately has power; it is the command from God that gives the increase or permits the trial. He is the cause of all things. Why then does He permit these painful things? That you might learn long-suffering, and that your character might be made perfect. From her long-suffering, from her goodness, whether they be insults or stripes or whatever else, the soul arrives at the very serenity of angels. Do not lean on your own understanding, as you rightly prayed, but trust that in the day of salvation He will succor you. And that day is now, not some distant tomorrow. Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. Do not delay repentance, do not postpone amendment of life while waiting for complete deliverance. For you reap no benefit from grace if you live impurely; you only heap up greater aggravation of your sins.
You mention venting behind another’s back and fear. This is precisely the work of the devil, to tear us asunder from one another and to take away love, so that the way of correction is blocked. For want of love, all wanton behavior and discord arise. Therefore, as you seek reconciliation and unity in your family, first root out bitterness from your own heart. The enemy sows division; do not water those seeds with careless talk. Instead, let your words be for edification, for feeding the hungry of heart, for protecting the injured, for succoring the despitefully used. If you want the mighty outpouring of the Holy Spirit, let your life be bright with good works. For though we have all faith and all knowledge of the Scriptures, if we be naked of holy living, there is nothing to hinder us from being hurried into the fire.
You are anxious for the little one and for others. Look at the parents of Moses: they saw the child was proper, and by faith they defied the king’s commandment. The very sight drew them on to faith, for the grace of God was upon him. So too, the children you lift up are under a greater Father than any earthly protector. Instill into them the fear of God from their first youth, and He will be a wall not to be broken. A guard seated within the soul needs no contrivances without. Do not lament as those without hope, as if the loss of human aid were the end. God is the Father of the fatherless and the defender of widows. Train them in faith, love, and sanctification, and they will be more secure than if all the armies of the earth surrounded them.
You ask for healing, for restoration of what is hopelessly broken. The Lord Jesus was bound and led to death for our salvation, and by His stripes we are healed. Even His enemies proclaimed this beforehand. So do not despair. He will restore the years the locusts have eaten, not necessarily by removing every thorn, but by giving you strength to walk through the fire unburned. The breast that once nourished an infant becomes useless when the child is grown; the parents even anoint it with bitter drugs to wean the child. So too, the Lord sometimes allows bitterness to wean you from worldly dependencies, that you may cling to Him alone.
Cease then from the multitude of anxious words, and with a quieted soul put your trust in the God who answers before you call. Continue in prayer, for the weapons of our warfare are mighty, but adorn that prayer with a life that befits the gospel. Let your conduct be worthy of the protection you seek. Do not merely plead the blood of Christ; walk in the light as He is in the light, and that blood will cleanse you from all sin. Then the warrior angels will encamp around you, not because you commanded them by a formula, but because the Lord gives His angels charge over those who fear Him and walk in His ways.
May you obtain that happiness which has no equal: to do all to the glory of God, and boldly to look on Christ, having a pure life and right doctrine.
You ask for deliverance from attacks and abuse, and that is right. But know that it is not the hands of men or the malice of the enemy that ultimately has power; it is the command from God that gives the increase or permits the trial. He is the cause of all things. Why then does He permit these painful things? That you might learn long-suffering, and that your character might be made perfect. From her long-suffering, from her goodness, whether they be insults or stripes or whatever else, the soul arrives at the very serenity of angels. Do not lean on your own understanding, as you rightly prayed, but trust that in the day of salvation He will succor you. And that day is now, not some distant tomorrow. Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. Do not delay repentance, do not postpone amendment of life while waiting for complete deliverance. For you reap no benefit from grace if you live impurely; you only heap up greater aggravation of your sins.
You mention venting behind another’s back and fear. This is precisely the work of the devil, to tear us asunder from one another and to take away love, so that the way of correction is blocked. For want of love, all wanton behavior and discord arise. Therefore, as you seek reconciliation and unity in your family, first root out bitterness from your own heart. The enemy sows division; do not water those seeds with careless talk. Instead, let your words be for edification, for feeding the hungry of heart, for protecting the injured, for succoring the despitefully used. If you want the mighty outpouring of the Holy Spirit, let your life be bright with good works. For though we have all faith and all knowledge of the Scriptures, if we be naked of holy living, there is nothing to hinder us from being hurried into the fire.
You are anxious for the little one and for others. Look at the parents of Moses: they saw the child was proper, and by faith they defied the king’s commandment. The very sight drew them on to faith, for the grace of God was upon him. So too, the children you lift up are under a greater Father than any earthly protector. Instill into them the fear of God from their first youth, and He will be a wall not to be broken. A guard seated within the soul needs no contrivances without. Do not lament as those without hope, as if the loss of human aid were the end. God is the Father of the fatherless and the defender of widows. Train them in faith, love, and sanctification, and they will be more secure than if all the armies of the earth surrounded them.
You ask for healing, for restoration of what is hopelessly broken. The Lord Jesus was bound and led to death for our salvation, and by His stripes we are healed. Even His enemies proclaimed this beforehand. So do not despair. He will restore the years the locusts have eaten, not necessarily by removing every thorn, but by giving you strength to walk through the fire unburned. The breast that once nourished an infant becomes useless when the child is grown; the parents even anoint it with bitter drugs to wean the child. So too, the Lord sometimes allows bitterness to wean you from worldly dependencies, that you may cling to Him alone.
Cease then from the multitude of anxious words, and with a quieted soul put your trust in the God who answers before you call. Continue in prayer, for the weapons of our warfare are mighty, but adorn that prayer with a life that befits the gospel. Let your conduct be worthy of the protection you seek. Do not merely plead the blood of Christ; walk in the light as He is in the light, and that blood will cleanse you from all sin. Then the warrior angels will encamp around you, not because you commanded them by a formula, but because the Lord gives His angels charge over those who fear Him and walk in His ways.
May you obtain that happiness which has no equal: to do all to the glory of God, and boldly to look on Christ, having a pure life and right doctrine.
