“My religious beliefs teach me to feel as safe in battle as in bed. God has fixed the time of my death. I do not concern myself with that, but to be always ready whenever it may overtake me. That is the way all men should live, and all men would be equally brave.” — Stonewall Jackson
It is well with the Christian whether he is in the fight or whether he is saying, "goodnight." He rests in the sovereignty of Christ om waking or sleeping. He has work to do and there is nothing the world can do to stop it. He cannot live a second longer than he wants and he cannot die a moment earlier than evil may plot.
"I know I shall die, and I shall die on time. Therefore, I must make the most of the moments between here and there.” — St. Boniface
There are good works prepared beforehand for each of us. It is not ours to know the hour of our death, but it is ours to know the time of day. We must make the most of the day while there are still time left on the clock.
Ephesians 5:16
Redeem the time, because the days are evil.
You cannot afford to lose a minute, but you can afford to lose a battle. God does not rob the Christian of his courage by guaranteeing the outcome. For the Christian, the rest is in the obedience, not in the result.
2 Samuel 10:12
Be of good courage, and let us play the men for our people, and for the cities of our God: and the Lord do that which seemeth Him good.
The secret things belong to God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children that we may do them by grace through faith with courage in Christ alone. We fight hard to win and leave the score to Sovereignty.
2 Samuel 15:21
And Ittai answered the king, and said, "As the Lord liveth, and as my lord the king liveth, surely in what place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also will thy servant be."
We go with God wherever that may lead. If to death, then may we die with Him that we may rise like Him. If to victory, then may we ride with Him that we may rule well.
Let us stand fast in what is right and prepare ourselves for trial.
Let us neither be dogs that do not bark, nor silent onlookers,
nor paid servants who run away before the wolf.
Instead, where the battle rages, let us find ourselves.
Run towards the roar of the lion!
Run towards the roar of battle!
That is where Christ's most glorious victories shall be won!
— St. Boniface
In Christ, it is always victory. Since He defeated defeat by crucifying the cross, we are free to win in whatever means He has for us. In death, in life, it is always and only Christ.
Romans 14:8
For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.
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