Sometimes things appear to us so difficult that we are daunted; at other times so easy that we think we are equal to them; and thus in either case we fail. He that is running a race looks not at witnesses admiring, but only at the mark. We need to "discern the Lord's body" [i.e. Christ as having been crucified] (1 Cor. 11:29) for steadfastness of communion with God, no less than to trust in His blood to obtain salvation from wrath to come. (John 6:54.56.) The fulfilling of God's promises depends not upon the creature's strength, and cannot be prevented by the creature's weakness. We need a close walk with God, a having respect to all His commandments, if we would obtain of Him whatsoever we ask. True persevering diligence in spiritual things always begins in self-abasement. It is one mark of growth in spirituality to be more afflicted by the pleasing—than by the distressing—temptations of Satan. We should always take great trials and great temptations as the forerunners of great blessings and growth of fellowship with God. The obedience of grace obtains for us the profitable knowledge of truth, and teaches us to prize it more than much fine gold. Mere knowledge puffeth up, and the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury. (Prov. 14:23.) Deep spirituality of mind is only obtained by a thorough crucifixion of self: self-denial is discipline for life—the work of every hour. To make a good soldier, put him in front of the battle; a good seaman, let him brave the storm: so with the Christian. True readiness to confess sin, and joy in self-abasement, mark a growth in grace and knowledge of the character of God. I know of no one who, with so little promise in his beginnings of faith, had a sunset so glorious as had Jacob. (Gen. 48, 49) It is the constant crucifying the flesh in little things that makes a giant in the Christian warfare. But true self-crucifixion is a thing impossible, save by grace; and to have the needful supplies of that grace we must be in perpetual communion with God: it is only thus we shall overcome in little things. It is a great salvation wrought for us, if the soul be resolved to suffer the will of God, cost what it may. Do you desire a humble mind, a soft heart, an obedient spirit? Ask and receive, that your joy may be full. But remember, "The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing" (Prov. 13:4). Be the clean vessel that God delights to fill and use. Not God's answering prayer in respect of earthly things and earthly gifts, but growth of the new man, is the true proof that we please God. We are commanded to lay aside every weight, and the sin that does so easily beset us: if we contend not against the latter -- that is unbelief—how shall we rightly deal with the former? We have every one in himself his own peculiar hindrances—weights which, if not laid aside, will clog the soul in her race.