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We are all familiar with the idea that the life of the Christian and the progressive advance of the kingdom of heaven involves a conflict, a never-ceasing warfare. We are, however, I think, sometimes unmindful that that warfare must assume very various phases according to the varying conditions and circumstances; and that much watchfulness, skill, determination and patience is needed for the frequent re-organization of forces, the re-adaptation of resources, and the revision of methods. Thus, with the individual, there are often constitutional tendencies which can only be counteracted by, it may be, a lifelong watchfulness and sustained assault; there are often strongholds of confirmed habit which have been allowed to entrench themselves within us, and which nothing short of a tedious system of siege operations can reduce. How true it is, we must all know, that spiritual growth and development of the Christian character are retarded because we have left such-like strongholds unreduced. Our forgetfulness of this aspect of our militant position may arise from a yielding to the temptation that these tedious siege operations can be dispensed with. We hope that if left alone these strongholds of evil tendency and habit will surrender while we make the easier conquests; or we hope that we may enter into possession of our promised land and leave these fortresses standing, content with a resolution to watch them; or we decide that, as we cannot hope to reduce them absolutely, we will make, as we think, safe terms with them, so that they shall not molest us or disturb our peace. Or it may be that we fail to gain permanent possession of them because we are tempted to evade the truth that no stronghold carried by assault is secured unless we are ready at once to occupy the position and to hold it. Evil habits are not eradicated until they are permanently replaced by good habits; it is only the gradual intrusion and establishment of good habits that ousts the evil and at last permanently excludes them. And this securing a permanent footing for habits of acting aright is an exceeding slow process. In order to form a habit, a series of individual actions must be persistently repeated for a considerable time, and before the habit has become irrevocably established we must expect to meet many reverses and engage in many desperate rallies. We live in impatient days; there is a tendency to resort to methods of spiritual warfare which seem to produce speedy results; adventurous raids are made here and there, while the strongholds stand unassailed, and ground gained is not held for want of those less showy operations which are needful if we would make each step secure. To my younger hearers especially I would say, Be not deceived; steady, persevering effort is needed if you would become real masters of yourselves. Depend upon it, as with Israel of old, you cannot advance far towards getting possession of your promised land, possession and control of your passions, your will, without finding a fortress to be subdued. What is true of the individual growth in grace, is true also with the extension of Christ's kingdom upon earth. There are occasions where the Church finds herself confronted by towering strongholds of formidable strength which have long held captive the minds and hearts of her fellow-men, strongholds which cannot be carried by simple assault, but which must be reduced by the slow and persistent advance of regular approaches. At such times there is a demand made upon the Church's faith, and the same temptation to shirk the trying duty presents itself. It is also true that in regard to the Church's advances, much unpretending monotonous labour has to be expended in securing the ground gained. We have need not only of men who will carry on the message, but also of men who will unobtrusively sacrifice themselves to the often unexciting and sometimes very trying, but most important work of slowly building up the new life in the new believers; helping them by slow degrees to assimilate the life, the character, the habits, personal, domestic, and social, of the new man which they have newly put on. "Who will lead us into these strong cities?" We answer, "Christ"; and then, when we further ask, "How can we best bring the power of Christ to bear upon them?" we reply, "First endeavour to secure that the fountain shall be pure, that the stream of life going forth from your English shores shall be living, and strong, and clear; then let us have men devoted, who can explain the nature of the living stream, and direct inquiries to the source of its virtue as a healing power; thirdly, let the consecrated intellect of England help us to express Divine truth more truly and exhaustively; and then such a threefold cord may well be expected to be a mighty instrument for the pulling down of the strongholds."

(Bishop E. R. Johnson.)

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KJV: Who will bring me into the strong city? who will lead me into Edom?

WEB: Who will bring me into the strong city? Who has led me to Edom?