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I. WHO IS THE ENEMY THAT COMES IN LIKE A FLOOD? The devil, called sometimes "the god of this world."

1. Satan has a strong party within, to wit, indwelling sin.

2. The world without us is another main auxiliary of hell — the profits, pleasures and preferments of the world, called by the apostle, "the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eves and the pride of life."

II. WHY THIS ENEMY IS LIKENED TO A FLOOD.

1. Because of the noise, made by error, persecution, defections, and violences of all kinds. The poor soul is many times put in such confusion, through the noise of these mighty waters, that it cannot hear the voice of God either in His Word or providences.

2. Because of their multitude.

3. Because of their unity in bending all one way in their opposition against Christ and His cause.

4. Floods are mighty, violent and rapid in their motion.

5. They are of a sweeping nature, and are ready to hurl down everything that is not well fixed.

6. A flood is in a continual motion; so the actings of sin and Satan and the world, against Christ and His cause, are incessant.

III. THE PROGRESS OF THE ENEMY. How far may he come in!

1. The enemy may come in within the borders of Zion (Micah 5:5, 6).

2. The enemy comes in, not only within the borders, but even into the palaces of Zion, her public assemblies for divine worship (Job 1:6).

3. The enemy may come into the pulpits of the Church by an erroneous and corrupt ministry (Jude 1:4).

4. The enemy may come into the judicatories of the Church, which are the thrones of judgment; so far may the enemy come in as to influence those judicatories to join hands with the spoilers and oppressors of the people of God, instead of defending them.

5. The enemy may come into the dwellings of Jacob. The devil lodgeth in the house of the wicked, and he may come in and work much mischief in the house of a godly David.

6. He may come into your closets, and go along with you to your knees, when you would be alone with God.

7. The enemy may come into your very heart.

IV. THE CERTAINTY OF ALL THIS.

1. Plain Scripture testimony (Revelation 2:10).

2. The state of the believer in this world — a militant state.

3. The experience of the saints of God in all ages.

V. INFERENCES.

1. This world is not the believer's resting-place. If it were, of all men he would be the most miserable.

2. See, hence, why it is the believer frequently expresseth such longing desire to be away.

3. See, hence, the need that we have of Christ in his kingly office, to subdue, restrain, and conquer all His and our enemies.

4. See, hence, encouragement to poor tossed and tempted believers. Though the enemy come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him.

(E. Erskine.)

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KJV: So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.

WEB: So shall they fear the name of Yahweh from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun; for he will come as a rushing stream, which the breath of Yahweh drives.