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God Will Not Forget His Children, December 26
He that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.
Zechariah 2:8
.
As the decree issued by the various rulers of Christendom against commandment
keepers shall withdraw the protection of government and abandon them to those who
desire their destruction, the people of God will flee from the cities and villages and
associate together in companies, dwelling in the most desolate and solitary places.
Many will find refuge in the strongholds of the mountains. Like the Christians of
the Piedmont valleys, they will make the high places of the earth their sanctuaries
and will thank God for “the munitions of rocks” (
Isaiah 33:16
). But many of all
nations and of all classes, high and low, rich and poor, black and white, will be cast
into the most unjust and cruel bondage. The beloved of God pass weary days, bound
in chains, shut in by prison bars, sentenced to be slain, some apparently left to die
of starvation in dark and loathsome dungeons. No human ear is open to hear their
moans; no human hand is ready to lend them help.
Will the Lord forget His people in this trying hour? Did He forget faithful Noah
when judgments were visited upon the antediluvian world? Did He forget Lot when
the fire came down from heaven to consume the cities of the plain? Did He forget
Joseph surrounded by idolaters in Egypt? Did He forget Elijah when the oath of
Jezebel threatened him with the fate of the prophets of Baal? Did He forget Jeremiah
in the dark and dismal pit of his prison house? Did He forget the three worthies in
the fiery furnace? or Daniel in the den of lions? ...
Though enemies may thrust them into prison, yet dungeon walls cannot cut
off the communication between their souls and Christ. One who sees their every
weakness, who is acquainted with every trial, is above all earthly powers; and angels
will come to them in lonely cells, bringing light and peace from heaven. The prison
will be as a palace; for the rich in faith dwell there, and the gloomy walls will be
lighted up with heavenly light as when Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises at
midnight in the Philippian dungeon (
The Great Controversy, 626, 627
).
With earnest longing, God’s people await the tokens of their coming King....
Light is gleaming upon the clouds above the mountaintops. Soon there will be a
revealing of His glory.... The heavens glow with the dawning of eternal day, and
like the melody of angel songs the words fall upon the ear; “Stand fast to your
allegiance. Help is coming.” Christ, the almighty Victor, holds out to His weary
soldiers a crown of immortal glory; and His voice comes from the gates ajar: “...
You are not warring against untried enemies. I have fought the battle in your behalf,
and in My name you are more than conquerors” (
The Great Controversy, 632, 633
).
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