Wednesday, October 17, 2007

He permits trial and disappointment to come to us that we may realize our helplessness, and learn to call upon him for aid . . .

The character of the one who comes to God in faith will bear witness that the Saviour has entered into his life, directing all, pervading all. Such a one is continually asking, "Is this Thy will and way, O my Saviour?" Constantly he looks to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of his faith. He consults the will of his divine Friend in reference to all his actions, for he knows that in this confidence is his strength. He has made it a habit to lift up the heart to God in every perplexity. . . .

He who accepts God as his sovereign must take the oath of allegiance to Him. He must put on the Christian uniform and bear aloft the banner that shows to whose army he belongs. He must make an open avowal of his allegiance to Christ. Concealment is impossible. Christ's impress must appear in the life in sanctified works.

"I am the Lord your God, which have separated you from other people. . . . Ye shall be holy unto me; for I the Lord am holy, and have severed you from other people, that ye should be mine" (Lev. 20:24-26).... "This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth my praise" (Isa. 43:21). That I May Know Him 296

But of old the Lord led his people to Rephidim, and he may choose to lead us there also, to test our loyalty. He does not always bring us to pleasant places. If he did, in our self-sufficiency we should forget that he is our helper. He longs to manifest himself to us, and to reveal the abundant supplies at our disposal, and he permits trial and disappointment to come to us that we may realize our helplessness, and learn to call upon him for aid. He can cause cooling streams to flow from the flinty rock. We shall never know, until we are face to face with God, when we shall see as we are seen, and know as we are known, how many burdens he has borne for us, and how many burdens he would have been glad to bear, if, with childlike faith, we had brought them to him. RH, April 7,1903



He replied, “What is impossible for people is possible with God.” Luke 18:27 (New Living Translation)