November 6, 1897
I arise at 1:30. {Ms 70, 1897, par. 44}
Every soul will be tried and tested, and at such time words should be few. Silence is true eloquence. God has made provision that His grace shall be abundantly provided. When His people look to Him, and call upon His name, He will hear their cry, and say, “Here I AM.” [Isaiah 58:9.] He declares: {Ms 70, 1897, par. 45}
“Fear thou not; for I am with thee; be not dismayed, for I am thy God; I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Behold all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded; they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish. Thou shalt seek them, and shalt not find them, even them that contended with thee; they that war against thee shall be as nothing, and as a thing of naught. For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee; fear not, thou worm Jacob; and ye men of Israel; I will help, thee, saith the Lord, and thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel. {Ms 70, 1897, par. 46}
“Behold, I will make thee a new sharp threshing instrument having teeth: thou shalt thresh the mountains, and beat them small, and shalt make the hills as chaff. Thou shalt fan them, and the wind shall carry them away, and the whirlwind shall scatter them, and thou shalt rejoice in the Lord, and glory in the Holy One of Israel. When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the Lord will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them. {Ms 70, 1897, par. 47}
“I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys: I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water. I will plant in the wilderness the shittah tree, the cedar, and the myrtle, and the oil tree; I will set in the desert the fir tree, and the pine and the box tree together: that they may see, and know, and consider, and understand together, that the hand of the Lord hath done this, and the Holy One of Israel hath created it.” [Isaiah 41:10-20.] {Ms 70, 1897, par. 48}
And again, “Fear not, little flock; it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” [Luke 12:32-34.] {Ms 70, 1897, par. 49}
We do not honor God if, when oppressed and afflicted, we mourn and repine, and speak words of complaining, when we cherish sadness, and doubt of the goodness of God. We dishonor God when we permit our souls to be down cast. Even when in trouble our faith should not fail. In the night seasons I am troubled in regard to our great lack of faith and trust in God. Unbelief, when cherished, creates an atmosphere about the soul that is malarious. Distrust in God is an offense to Him. None need to feel that God has forsaken them. There must not be expressions of unbelief. This pleases and glorifies the enemy, and you do not reveal to the world that you recognize in Jesus a very present help in every time of need. {Ms 70, 1897, par. 50}
The more we reveal the power of an indwelling Saviour, the more of His power will be manifested unto us. “And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory of the only begotten of the Father) full of grace and truth.” “And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.” [John 1:14, 16.] “Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.” [Psalm 85:10.] {Ms 70, 1897, par. 51}
Many and abundant are the promises that God has made to all those who will be obedient to all His commandments. All who have faith in Christ obtain a rich experience in His goodness and love, which is of more value than gold. It is a goodness that has been recognized in times of great necessity. Then let not any of God’s chosen ones suffer their faith to fail, at the time when they should reveal the inward power of the Christian’s hope. It is our duty to be very jealous of the glory of God, and bring no evil report even by the sadness of the countenance, or by the ill-advised words, as though the requirements of God were a restriction upon our liberty. The whole person is privileged to bear a decided testimony in every line—in features, in temper, in words, in character, that the service of the Lord is good. Thus they proclaim: “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul.” [Psalm 19:7.] {Ms 70, 1897, par. 52}
Let your words be positive on the side of the Lord, “Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord. Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart. They also do no iniquity, they walk in his ways. Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently. O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes! Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments. I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.” “I will run in the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge mine heart.” “O how love I thy law; it is my meditation all the day.” “Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies, for they are ever with me.” [Psalm 119:1-7, 32, 97, 98.] {Ms 70, 1897, par. 53}
God loves His commandment keeping people, because through their obedience they give honor to His holy name, testifying of their love for God. The men of the world are surprised, when they hear the sacred truths of the Word of God, that the people professing to believe these high and holy truths, have not a more intense and earnest zeal to work for the salvation of the souls of their fellow beings. Our faith and intensity of zeal should be proportionate to the great light which shines upon our pathway. Faith, humble, trusting faith in God, in our homes, in our neighborhood, in our churches, will reveal itself. The Holy Spirit’s working will not, cannot, be hindered. God delights to reveal Himself to His people as a Father, as a God in whom they can trust implicitly. {Ms 70, 1897, par. 54}
But cherished unbelief withholds from us the richest manifestations of the grace of God. Our lack of faith keeps from us the working of the Holy Spirit. It is a grievous mistake on the part of those who are the chosen of God, to be His people and His representatives, to cherish the habit of dwelling upon their disagreeable experiences, as though the Way, the Truth, and the Life were a very disagreeable companion to have. They talk doubt and unbelief, and darkness is the result. {Ms 70, 1897, par. 55}
When the farmers seek to recommend or exhibit their products, they do not gather up the poorest but the best specimens. The women possess a zeal to bring the very best golden lumps of butter, molded and prettily stamped. The men bring the best yield of vegetables of every kind. The very best and most attractive fruit is brought, and their appearance does the skilful workers credit. The variety of fruits—the apples, peaches, apricots, oranges, lemons, and plums—all these are very attractive, and make those who look upon the fruit from the orchards and gardens, desire to be in the country where they can till the soil. {Ms 70, 1897, par. 56}
No one would bring the most dwarfed specimens, but the very choicest which the land can produce. And why should not Christians living in these last days reveal the most attractive fruit in unselfish actions? Why should not the fruit of the commandment keeping people of God appear in the very best representation of good works? Their words, their deportment, their dress should bear fruit of the very best quality. By their fruits, Christ said, ye shall know them. “Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit; neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth forth not good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” [Matthew 7:16-20.] {Ms 70, 1897, par. 57}
Let the church members have the precious traits of character of Christ, and there will be much more said in praise and thanksgiving to God for the treasure of His grace. {Ms 70, 1897, par. 58}
“Elect, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Christ: Grace unto you, and peace be multiplied. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance [incorruptible] and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed at the last time. Wherein we greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, may be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.” [1 Peter 1:2-7.] {Ms 70, 1897, par. 59}
Read these verses carefully. Mark how full and complete is the provision made for all who accept it. Trials are Christ’s workmen to perfect the Christian graces; but these tests are not to sink the believer’s faith, but raise it equal to the occasion, that unto all it may be made to appear more precious than gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire. Every trial permitted is designed to exalt the truth to a higher appreciation, that praise to God alone shall be upon the lips of the true disciple of Christ. And the growth in grace is to the honor and glory of God at the appearing of Jesus Christ, “whom having not seen ye love: in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you.” [Verses 8-10.] {Ms 70, 1897, par. 60}
As Christians we fail in faith and richness of experience, far below our privilege. Keep the worthless, cheap words under bit and bridle. “Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind,” says the apostle, “be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance but as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” [Verses 13-16.] Leviticus 11:44, 45. {Ms 70, 1897, par. 61}
“And if ye call upon the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation, received by tradition of your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” [1 Peter 1:17-19.] {Ms 70, 1897, par. 62}
Here our duty and work is plainly stated in very simple language. God requires that the fruit of the lips shall be sanctified. Let us consider how largely the words we speak dishonor God. The passionate speech is under the control of Satan. We greatly dishonor God in the many words spoken in conversation. {Ms 70, 1897, par. 63}
The bright and cheerful side of our religion will be represented by all who are daily consecrated to God. They will express their gratitude to God in bringing Him their thank offerings. We do not want to dishonor God by the mournful relation of trials that appear grievous. All trials that are received as educators will produce joy. The whole religious life will be uplifting, elevating, ennobling, fragrant with good words and works. The enemy is well pleased to have souls complaining and stumbling their way along, depressed, downcast, mourning, and groaning; because Satan wants just such impressions made as to the effects of our faith. God designs that the mind shall take no low level. {Ms 70, 1897, par. 64}
Says the psalmist, “Give unto the Lord, O ye mighty, give unto the Lord glory and strength. Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.” “I will extol thee O Lord, for thou hast lifted me up, and hast not made my foes to rejoice over me. O Lord, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me. ... Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.” [Psalm 29:1, 2; 30:1, 2, 4.] {Ms 70, 1897, par. 65}
“I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together. I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me out of all my fears. They looked unto him and were lightened; and their faces were not ashamed. This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.” [Psalm 34:1-8.] {Ms 70, 1897, par. 66}
Let this chapter be read and committed to memory. Precious is the Word of the Lord. If we will take these precious lessons to heart, and cut away all this nasty, passionate speech, all these cheap words that are full of levity, if we will empty the mind, cleanse the soul temple, and invite the heavenly Guest to come in, there will be no question as to whether we shall impart grace for grace. With sinners, that sanctified mind and heart will be a powerful influence. The fruit will testify of the character of the tree. {Ms 70, 1897, par. 67}