“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light…” – 1 Peter 2:9
“Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily; and thy darkness shall be as the noonday.” [Isaiah 58:8.] If you will put your trust fully in the Lord, and walk and work in Christian simplicity, God will verify this promise to you. I pray that you may unitedly connect yourselves so closely with the Lord, that light will shine forth from you as the morning, and that your spiritual health will spring forth speedily.
You are to give to the people a representation of what the truth, when taught correctly, will accomplish. Work as Christ worked in the simplicity of the gospel. Do not weary the people with lengthy discourses, but labor to create a keen appetite to hear and understand the Word of God. Then your hearers will learn to appreciate a spiritual connection with heaven and will resolve to obey the counsels of God. The Lord will work by His Holy Spirit, and souls will be converted.
Never let self get in the way of the Lord’s working. Watch and pray, and trust in the living Word. We need the power and grace of God. Let the church follow on to know the Lord, that they may know His goings forth are prepared as the morning. I hope that these words will find a place in every heart. Never forget that self is to be brought strictly under discipline to God. Never enter into the work of accusing others; you cannot determine how much harm may thus be done to yourself and to those whom you might otherwise have helped. Speak kindly and truly to one another. Walk trustfully. Speak the truth in love, and let your sympathies go out to poor and needy souls. If you will do this, you will find that your own souls are watered. (1)
Some will excuse themselves on the plea that they have bestowed their charity on unworthy persons, and have become discouraged. To such I present the example of Jesus. He came to save fallen man. He came to bring salvation to his own nation; but they would not accept him. They treated his mercy with insult and contempt, and at length put to death him who came to give them life. But did our Lord turn from the fallen race because of this? Nay, verily; and he is our pattern. Though for ninety-nine times your efforts to do good are unsuccessful, and you receive only insult, reproach, and hate, yet if the hundredth time proves a success, and one soul is saved, oh, what a victory is achieved! This will a thousand times pay you for all your efforts. And to you Jesus will say, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” (2)
Charge for the Day: Pray for a renewal in strength, zeal, and desire to go out and tell others of the gospel.
1. Letter 52, 1909
2. Signs of the Times, February 17, 1887