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Peace in His Presence, February 19
I will remember the works of the Lord: surely I will remember thy
wonders of old. I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy
doings.
Psalm 77:11, 12
.
Great things are before us, and we want to call the people from their
indifference, to get ready for that day.... We are not now to cast away our
confidence, but to have firm assurance, firmer than ever before. Hitherto
hath the Lord helped us, and He will help us to the end. We will look to
the monumental pillars, reminders of what the Lord hath done for us, to
comfort and to save us from the hand of the destroyer. We want to have
fresh in our memory every tear the Lord has wiped from our eyes, every
pain He has soothed, every anxiety removed, every fear dispelled, every want
supplied, every mercy bestowed, and strengthen ourselves for all that is before
us through the remainder of our pilgrimage.
We can but look onward to new perplexities in the coming conflict, but we
may well look on what is past as well as what is to come, and say, “Hitherto
hath the Lord helped us” (
1 Samuel 7:12
). “As thy days, so shall thy strength
be” (
Deuteronomy 33:25
). The trial will not exceed the strength which shall
be given us to bear it.
Then let us take up our work just where we find it, without one word of
repining, imagining nothing can come but that strength will come proportion-
ate to the trial. Our children are in the hands of God. Our faith must awaken
to grasp the promises and we not repine, we not be mournful, for then we
dishonor God. We must encourage a cheerful, hopeful frame of mind. Our
present peace must not be disturbed by anticipated trials, for God will never
leave nor forsake one soul who trusts in Him. God is better unto us than
our fears. If we would encourage a diligent remembrance and recital of our
mercies, counting up instances in which God has wrought for us, has been
better to us than our fears, in which He has interposed His power and His
grace when sorely perplexed, sustained us when falling, comforted us when
sorrowing, we would see that it is unbelief to distrust God or be filled with
anxiety. Let mercies be remembered and enjoyed daily. We must live by faith
daily.... Rejoice in God always. Today praise God for His grace, and continue
to praise Him every day.—
Letter 11a, February 19, 1884
, to Elder and Mrs.
Uriah Smith.
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