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Seek Divine, Not Human, Counsel, April 3
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men
liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
James 1:5
.
There are so many who, when they are in trouble, ... forget the invitations
God has abundantly given, and begin to look and plan for human help. They go to
human beings for aid, and this is the way in which their experience becomes feeble
and confused. In all our trials we are directed to seek the Lord most earnestly,
remembering that we are His property, His children by adoption. No human being
can understand our necessities as Christ [can]. We shall receive help, if we ask
Him in faith. We are His by creation; we are His by redemption. By the cords of
divine love we are bound to the Source of all power and strength. If we will only
make God our dependence, asking Him for what we want, as a little child asks his
father for what he wants, we shall obtain a rich experience. We shall learn that
God is the source of all strength and power....
God has been greatly dishonored by His people leaning upon human beings.
He has not told us to do this. He has told us that He will teach us, He will guide
us. We may come to Him and receive help....
What did Christ promise His disciples if they would believe in Him as their
personal Saviour? “Lo, I am with you alway,” He said, “even unto the end of the
world” (
Matthew 28:20
). Again He says, “I am at thy right hand to help thee”
(see
Psalm 16:8
). Think of how many promises He has given us, which we may
grasp by the hand of faith. When we go to the Source of power, we know that
we shall receive that intelligence and wisdom which comes from a pure source,
which is not mixed with anything of humanity. As we pray, it is our privilege to
know that God wants us to pray, to ask Him for help. “Ask, and ye shall receive”
(
John 16:24
). It is for you to believe that you will receive. He wants us to become
acquainted with Him, to speak to Him, to tell Him of our difficulties, and obtain
an experience in asking of One who never misjudges and never makes a mistake....
We dishonor God by striving to get someone who we think understands our
case to help us. Has He not given us His only begotten Son? Is not Christ close
beside us, and will He not give us the help we need?...
We forget that the threshold of heaven is flooded with the glory proceeding
from the throne of God, that the light may fall directly on those who are seeking the
help that Christ alone can give.—
Manuscript 144, April 3, 1901
, “Early Morning
Meeting.”
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