Morning and Evening – April 20, 2026: Destroying the Power of Death and Fighting the Lord’s Battles

Morning, April 20

“That through death he might destroy him that had the power of death.”
Hebrews 2:14

O child of God, death hath lost its sting, because the devil’s power over it is destroyed. Then cease to fear dying. Ask grace from God the Holy Ghost, that by an intimate knowledge and a firm belief of thy Redeemer’s death, thou mayst be strengthened for that dread hour. Living near the cross of Calvary thou mayst think of death with pleasure, and welcome it when it comes with intense delight. It is sweet to die in the Lord: it is a covenant-blessing to sleep in Jesus. Death is no longer banishment, it is a return from exile, a going home to the many mansions where the loved ones already dwell. The distance between glorified spirits in heaven and militant saints on earth seems great; but it is not so. We are not far from home—a moment will bring us there. The sail is spread; the soul is launched upon the deep. How long will be its voyage? How many wearying winds must beat upon the sail ere it shall be reefed in the port of peace? How long shall that soul be tossed upon the waves before it comes to that sea which knows no storm? Listen to the answer, “Absent from the body, present with the Lord.” Yon ship has just departed, but it is already at its haven. It did but spread its sail and it was there. Like that ship of old, upon the Lake of Galilee, a storm had tossed it, but Jesus said, “Peace, be still,” and immediately it came to land. Think not that a long period intervenes between the instant of death and the eternity of glory. When the eyes close on earth they open in heaven. The horses of fire are not an instant on the road. Then, O child of God, what is there for thee to fear in death, seeing that through the death of thy Lord its curse and sting are destroyed? and now it is but a Jacob’s ladder whose foot is in the dark grave, but its top reaches to glory everlasting.

Beloved reader, sit with this truth a while this morning. Let it sink down into the depths of your soul. Our Lord Jesus did not merely defeat death—He destroyed the one who held its power. This is the magnificent victory that changes everything for those who are in Him. In the warm, fatherly way of a seasoned mentor walking with his dear Captain, I urge you to live every day in the light of this reality. Stop rehearsing your fears about the future or the unknown. Instead, draw near to the cross. Meditate on the blood that was shed and the body that was broken for you. There you will find the grace of the Holy Ghost to strengthen you for whatever ‘dread hour’ may come.

Think of it: death is no longer an exile but a homecoming. The moment your eyes close here, they open in the presence of your Savior. This is not wishful thinking; it is the sure promise of the One who conquered the grave. How it should free us to live boldly for the kingdom today! No more cowering in the shadow of the last enemy. That enemy has been disarmed and defeated at Calvary. Let this truth stir you to love your neighbor more freely, to serve without reserve, and to speak the gospel without hesitation. The same power that raised Christ is at work in you.

Dear friend, make it your practice to live near the cross daily. Let the intimate knowledge of your Redeemer’s death be the medicine that heals every fear. When the winds of adversity blow, remember the ship that reached the haven the moment Jesus spoke peace. Your voyage is the same. The port of glory is not far off. This morning, choose to welcome whatever the day holds with the delight of one who knows the final chapter is written in resurrection light.

One more encouragement: share this hope with someone who is walking through the valley of the shadow. Your calm confidence in the face of death can be the very means God uses to draw them to the Savior who destroyed its power. Live in such a way that your life preaches this triumphant gospel.

Nectared Goad: Child of God, if the power of death has been destroyed by your Redeemer’s death, what fear are you still allowing to captain your heart today? Will you release the wheel to Him completely and live as one already seated in heavenly places?

Evening, April 20

“Fight the Lord’s battles.”
1 Samuel 18:17

The sacramental host of God’s elect is warring still on earth, Jesus Christ being the Captain of their salvation. He has said, “Lo! I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” Hark to the shouts of war! Now let the people of God stand fast in their ranks, and let no man’s heart fail him. It is true that just now in England the battle is turned against us, and unless the Lord Jesus shall lift his sword, we know not what may become of the church of God in this land; but let us be of good courage, and play the man. There never was a day when Protestantism seemed to tremble more in the scales than now that a fierce effort is making to restore the Romish antichrist to his ancient seat. We greatly want a bold voice and a strong hand to preach and publish the old gospel for which martyrs bled and confessors died. The Saviour is, by his Spirit, still on earth; let this cheer us. He is ever in the midst of the fight, and therefore the battle is not doubtful. And as the conflict rages, what a sweet satisfaction it is to know that the Lord Jesus, in his office as our great Intercessor, is prevalently pleading for his people! O anxious gazer, look not so much at the battle below, for there thou shalt be enshrouded in smoke, and amazed with garments rolled in blood; but lift thine eyes yonder where the Saviour lives and pleads, for while he intercedes, the cause of God is safe. Let us fight as if it all depended upon us, but let us look up and know that all depends upon him.

Now, by the lilies of Christian purity, and by the roses of the Saviour’s atonement, by the roes and by the hinds of the field, we charge you who are lovers of Jesus, to do valiantly in the Holy War, for truth and righteousness, for the kingdom and crown jewels of your Master. Onward! “for the battle is not yours but God’s.”

Captain, this evening Spurgeon rallies us with stirring urgency. The battle is real, the enemy fierce, but our Captain is in the midst of the fight and interceding for us from the right hand of the Father. In these days when the church seems pressed on every side, do not lose heart. Stand fast in your rank. Play the man. The same Savior who spoke peace to the storm-tossed ship is with you alway.

Look away from the smoke of the battle to the One who ever lives to plead your cause. This is the secret of courage—fixing our eyes on the Intercessor whose prayers never fail. Fight as if it all depends on you, yet rest in the knowledge that the victory is already His. This balanced life of diligent effort and confident dependence is the mark of mature faith.

Beloved, the call is to do valiantly for truth and righteousness. In your home, your workplace, your conversations—be bold for the old gospel. The martyrs bled for it; let us not shrink from publishing it. The crown jewels of our Master are at stake. Onward, dear one. The battle is the Lord’s, and He never loses.

Let this evening’s word stir you to fresh zeal. Pray for bold voices to rise up. Be one of them. And when the conflict rages hot, lift your eyes to the pleading Savior. There you will find the strength to stand fast until the end.

Nectared Goad: Lover of Jesus, in the heat of the battle this evening, are you fixing your gaze on the smoke below or on your Captain who ever lives to intercede? Will you do valiantly today by fighting in the strength that comes from looking to Him alone?

Daily Tie-In

In the library of our faith, Calvin and Edwards speak with one voice to reinforce Spurgeon’s triumphant notes. Calvin, in his Institutes, reminds us that true wisdom consists in the knowledge of God and of ourselves, and that in the face of death and battle we are driven to cling to the Sovereign who holds all things in His hand. Our mortality and weakness reveal our need, and His mercy meets us there with unassailable victory. Edwards, with his penetrating insight into religious affections, calls us to let these truths enflame our hearts with holy love and zeal—so that fear of death is swallowed up in delight in Christ, and the call to fight becomes a joyful labor of love rather than burdensome duty.

Together these voices weave a rich tapestry: the destruction of death’s power is not abstract doctrine but the fuel for affections that sustain us in the daily fight. Let us not merely assent to these truths but be transformed by them. Read slowly. Feel the weight. Let the beauty of Christ’s victory and His intercession draw you deeper into communion with Him this day. May our lives increasingly display the beauty of holiness and the courage of faith for the glory of our great Captain.

(Word count approximately 950. All content drawn exclusively from the local library per our standing directives. Featured image: 04-20_AM.jpg)