Marching Together
We are not alone in our spiritual journey, but are supported and buoyed up by a mighty host of unseen companions.
Mary Wilder Tileston emphasizes the presence and support of ministering spirits, including angels and the spirits of good men made perfect, who surround and minister to those who will inherit salvation. She encourages believers to take comfort in the fact that they are not alone in their spiritual journey, as they are accompanied by a powerful and victorious host that strengthens and uplifts them in their walk of faith.
Text
Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?
--HEBREWS 1:14
NEAR you in sympathy the angels stand,
Their unseen hosts encompass you around;
Strong and unconquerable the glorious band,
And loud their songs and hymns of victory sound.
And near you, though invisible, are those,
The good and just of every age and clime,
Who while on earth have fought the self-same foes,
And won the fight through faith and love sublime;
Let not the hosts of sin inspire a fear,
For lo! far mightier hosts are ever near!
--JONES VERY
With every evil overcome, and every new likeness of Christ inwardly put on, you are brought more completely within the circle of the great cloud of witnesses, the myriads of angels in full assembly, and the spirits of good men made perfect; their strength passes mightily into your soul and their peace is laid brightly within the heart. This is one of the essential elements of our strength when we are supported and buoyed up in doing the Divine will. You are not marching alone. You feel it; you know it. Visible or invisible, a mighty host is with you; you are marching with them in countless and serried numbers; one spirit moves the whole and lifts their feet, and they keep step to the same music.
--EDMUND H. SEARS
Sermon Outline
- The Presence of Angels
- The Company of Saints
- Our Strength in the Company of Witnesses
- We are brought within the circle of the great cloud of witnesses
- The strength of angels and saints passes into our souls
- We are marching with them in countless numbers
Key Quotes
“With every evil overcome, and every new likeness of Christ inwardly put on, you are brought more completely within the circle of the great cloud of witnesses, the myriads of angels in full assembly, and the spirits of good men made perfect.” — Mary Wilder Tileston
“You are not marching alone. You feel it; you know it. Visible or invisible, a mighty host is with you; you are marching with them in countless and serried numbers; one spirit moves the whole and lifts their feet, and they keep step to the same music.” — Mary Wilder Tileston
“Let not the hosts of sin inspire a fear, For lo! far mightier hosts are ever near!” — Mary Wilder Tileston
Application Points
- We can draw strength and comfort from the presence of angels and saints in our lives.
- We are not alone in our struggles, but are marching with a mighty host of unseen companions.
- The presence of angels and saints can inspire us to greater faith and love in our spiritual journey.