The conquering saints do not turn "back from the sword." Many of God's people live in constant fear that Christ will demand something of them that will cause pain and sorrow. They are afraid to turn over their life to God. They are afraid of Divine judgment. They are afraid they are not pleasing to God and that if they attempt to please God He will make such terrible demands on them they will lose everything of value.

If Christ asks for the little loaf of their life so He may be able to bless it and break it into pieces for the feeding of the multitude, they howl in anguish and unbelief.

Isn't the above attitude ridiculous? But it is not ridiculous to the multitude of believers who are afraid to trust in the goodness of God. Many of God's believers hover in the grip of unbelief and worry. Their unbelief prevents them from understanding that everything they possess was given to them by the Lord, and that He has the power at any instant to remove every one of their possessions without asking. They are helpless to resist.

They huddle in their doubt and fear, clutching their rags and ashes.

The conquering saints want nothing whatever to do with such unbelief, fear, timidity, indecision, and confusion. They bring themselves and all their possessions to the Lord. They ask for His judgment on them and their deeds. They want the light of God's will to shine on them. They run to the light. They welcome the judgments of Scripture and of the Holy Spirit so they can perfect their way before the Lord.

The conquering saints are accustomed to having fiery arrows shot at them. They realize they are in a battle but they do not flee from the battle. They know Jesus is Victor and that the safest, most joyous place in the entire creation is the will of God in Christ.

The saint who is living in the shelter of the most High is completely safe, perfectly protected. He is much safer than the fearful believer who is cowering in the "protection" of the flesh.

The conquering saints go forth to the Lord's battles with such "fierceness and rage" against the enemy that they cover ground quickly. They appear to "swallow the ground" because they are moving so swiftly in the Lord.

The Spirit seems to be speaking today that there will be delay no longer. God intends to bring the wheat and the tares to maturity in a decisive, complete manner.

In time past there has been much hesitation, much cajoling of people as teachers and pastors have encouraged the Lord's people to consecrate their lives to Him. Some have consecrated their lives. Many more have not. It has been a long, slow process in which people have fallen away from the Lord and then returned to the Lord.

But it seems in the Spirit that this day of hesitation is over. It is the will of God that all middle ground be cut away. Every believer must make a clear choice. What is going to be done will be done quickly.

For I am the Lord: I will speak, and the word that I shall speak shall come to pass; it shall be no more prolonged: for in your days, O rebellious house, will I say the word, and will perform it, saith the Lord God. (Ezekiel 12:25)

For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth. (Romans 9:28)

To be continued.