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Testimonies for the Church Volume 7
appear in all hardships, order in confusion, the success and wisdom of
God in that which has seemed to be failure.
My brethren and sisters, in your ministry come close to the people.
Uplift those who are cast down. Treat of calamities as disguised
blessings, of woes as mercies. Work in a way that will cause hope to
spring up in the place of despair.
The common people are to take their place as workers. Sharing
the sorrows of their fellow men as the Saviour shared the sorrows of
humanity, they will by faith see Him working with them.
“The great day of the Lord is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly.”
Zephaniah 1:14
. To every worker I would say: Go forth in humble
faith, and the Lord will go with you. But watch unto prayer. This is
the science of your labor. The power is of God. Work in dependence
upon Him, remembering that you are laborers together with Him. He
is your Helper. Your strength is from Him. He will be your wisdom,
your righteousness, your sanctification, your redemption. Wear the
yoke of Christ, daily learning of Him His meekness and lowliness. He
will be your Comfort, your Rest.
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Power from on High
As the divine endowment—the power of the Holy Spirit—was
given to the disciples, so it will today be given to all who seek aright.
This power alone is able to make us wise unto salvation and to fit us
for the courts above. Christ wants to give us a blessing that will make
us holy. “These things have I spoken unto you,” He says, “that My
joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.”
John 15:11
.
Joy in the Holy Spirit is health-giving, life-giving joy. In giving us
His Spirit, God gives us Himself, making Himself a fountain of divine
influences, to give health and life to the world.
As God so liberally bestows His gifts on you, remember that it is
in order that you may return them to the Giver, multiplied by being
imparted. Bring into the lives of others light and joy and peace. Every
day we need the discipline of self-humiliation, that we may be prepared
to receive the heavenly gift, not to hoard it, not to rob God’s children
of His blessing, but to give it in all its rich fullness to others. When
more than now shall we need a heart open to receive, aching, as it
were, with its longing to impart?