In this time of trial we need to be encouraged and comforted by
one another. The temptations of Satan are greater now than ever
before, for he knows that his time is short and that very soon
every case will be decided, either for life or for death. It is
no time now to sink down beneath discouragement and trial; we
must bear up under all our afflictions and trust wholly in the
Almighty God of Jacob. The Lord has shown me that His grace is
sufficient for all our trials; and although they are greater than
ever before, yet if we trust wholly in God, we can overcome every
temptation and through His grace come off victorious.
If we overcome our trials and get victory over the temptations
of Satan, then we endure the trial of our faith, which is more
precious than gold, and are stronger and better prepared to meet
the next. But if we sink down and give way to the temptations
of Satan, we shall grow weaker and get no reward for the trial
and shall not be so well prepared for the next. In this way we
shall grow weaker and weaker, until we are led captive by Satan
at his will. We must have on the whole armor of God and be ready
at any moment for a conflict with the powers of darkness. When
temptations and trials rush in upon us, let us go to God and agonize
with Him in prayer. He will not turn us away empty, but will give
us grace and strength to overcome, and to break the power of the
enemy. Oh, that all could see these things in their true light
and endure hardness as good soldiers of Jesus! Then would Israel
move forward, strong in God, and in the power of His might.
God has shown me that He gave His people a bitter cup to drink,
to purify and cleanse them. It is a bitter draught, and they can
make it still more bitter by murmuring, complaining, and repining.
But those who receive it thus must have another draught, for the
first does not have its designed effect upon the heart. And if
the second does not effect the work, then they must have another,
and another, until it does have its designed effect, or they will
be left filthy, impure in heart. I saw that this bitter cup can
be sweetened by patience, endurance, and prayer, and that it will
have its designed effect upon the hearts of those who thus receive
it, and God will be honored and glorified. It is no small thing
to be a Christian and to be owned and approved of God. The Lord
has shown me some who profess the present truth, whose lives do
not correspond with their profession. They have the standard of
piety altogether too low, and they come far short of Bible holiness.
Some engage in vain and unbecoming conversation, and others give
way to the risings of self. We must not expect to please ourselves,
live and act like the world, have its pleasures, and enjoy the
company of those who are of the world, and reign with Christ in
glory.
We must be partakers of Christ's sufferings here if we would share
in His glory hereafter. If we seek our own interest, how we can
best please ourselves, instead of seeking to please God and advance
His precious, suffering cause, we shall dishonor God and the holy
cause we profess to love. We have but a little space of time left
in which to work for God. Nothing should be too dear to sacrifice
for the salvation of the scattered and torn flock of Jesus. Those
who make a covenant with God by sacrifice now will soon be gathered
home to share a rich reward and possess the new kingdom forever
and ever.
Oh, let us live wholly for the Lord and show by a well-ordered
life and godly conversation that we have been with Jesus and are
His meek and lowly followers. We must work while the day lasts,
for when the dark night of trouble and anguish comes, it will
be too late to work for God. Jesus is in His holy temple and will
now accept our sacrifices, our prayers, and our confessions of
faults and sins and will pardon all the transgressions of Israel,
that they may be blotted out before He leaves the sanctuary. When
Jesus leaves the sanctuary, then they who are holy and righteous
will be holy and righteous still; for all their sins will then
be blotted out, and they will be sealed with the seal of the living
God. But those that are unjust and filthy will be unjust and filthy
still; for then there will be no Priest in the sanctuary to offer
their sacrifices, their confessions, and their prayers before
the Father's throne. Therefore what is done to rescue souls from
the coming storm of wrath must be done before Jesus leaves the
most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary. -