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Secret Prayer and Bible Study, October 12
The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
James 5:16
.
The church of God is made up of vessels large and small.... He does not expect
the smaller vessels to hold the contents of the larger ones. He looks for returns
according to what a man has, not according to what he has not. Do your best, and
God will accept your efforts. Take up the duty lying nearest you, and perform it
with fidelity, and your work will be wholly acceptable to the Master. Do not, in your
desire to do something great, overlook the smaller tasks awaiting you.
Beware how you neglect secret prayer and a study of God’s Word. These are
your weapons against him who is striving to hinder your progress heavenward. The
first neglect of prayer and Bible study makes easier the second neglect. The first
resistance to the Spirit’s pleading prepares the way for the second resistance. Thus
the heart is hardened, and the conscience seared.
On the other hand, every resistance of temptation makes resistance more easy.
Every denial of self makes self-denial easier. Every victory gained prepares the way
for a fresh victory. Each resistance of temptation, each self-denial, each triumph
over sin, is a seed sown unto eternal life. Every unselfish action gives new strength
to spirituality. No one can try to be like Christ without growing more noble and
more true.
The Lord will recognize every effort you make to reach His ideal for you. When
you make failures, when you are betrayed into sin, do not feel that you cannot pray,
that you are not worthy to come before the Lord. “My little children, these things
write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the
Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” With outstretched arms He waits to welcome the
prodigal. Go to Him, and tell Him about your mistakes and failures. Ask Him to
strengthen you for fresh endeavor. He will never disappoint you, never abuse your
confidence.
Trial will come to you. Thus the Lord polishes the roughness from your character.
Do not murmur. You make the trial harder by repining. Honor God by cheerful
submission. Patiently endure the pressure. Even though a wrong is done you, keep
the love of God in the heart....
“In quietness and in confidence shall be your strength.” Christ knows the strength
of your temptations and the strength of your power to resist. His hand is always
stretched out in pitying tenderness to every suffering child. To the tempted, dis-
couraged one He says, Child for whom I suffered and died, can not you trust me?
“As thy days, so shall thy strength be” (
Deuteronomy 33:25
) (
Youth’s Instructor,
June 26, 1902
).
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