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Mind, Character, and Personality Volume 2
in their welfare, and their fear and repining grieve the Holy Spirit.
Not because we see or feel that God hears us are we to believe. We
are to trust His promises. When we come to Him in faith, we should
believe that every petition enters into the heart of Christ. When we
have asked for His blessing, we should believe that we receive it, and
thank Him that we have it. Then we are to go about our duties, assured
that the blessing will be sent when we need it most. When we have
learned to do this, we shall know that our prayers are answered. God
will do for us “exceeding abundantly,” “according to the riches of His
glory” and “the working of His mighty power.”—
Gospel Workers,
261, 262
(1915).
Freedom From Guilt Brings Freedom From Fear—Aaron as
well as the people shrank away from Moses, and “they were afraid to
come nigh him.” Seeing their confusion and terror, but ignorant of the
cause, he urged them to come near. He held out to them the pledge
of God’s reconciliation and assured them of His restored favor. They
perceived in his voice nothing but love and entreaty, and at last one
ventured to approach him. Too awed to speak, he silently pointed to
the countenance of Moses, and then toward heaven. The great leader
understood his meaning. In their conscious guilt, feeling themselves
still under the divine displeasure, they could not endure the heavenly
light, which, had they been obedient to God, would have filled them
with joy. There is fear in guilt. The soul that is free from sin will not
wish to hide from the light of heaven.—
Patriarchs and Prophets, 329,
330
(1890).
What to Do When Fearful—Only the sense of God’s presence
can banish the fear that, for the timid child, would make life a burden.
[479]
Let him fix in his memory the promise, “The angel of the Lord en-
campeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them” (
Psalm
34:7
). Let him read that wonderful story of Elisha in the mountain
city, and, between him and the hosts of armed foemen, a mighty encir-
cling band of heavenly angels. Let him read how to Peter, in prison
and condemned to death, God’s angel appeared; how, past the armed
guards, the massive doors and great iron gateway with their bolts and
bars, the angel led God’s servant forth in safety.
Let him read of that scene on the sea, when to the tempest-tossed
soldiers and seamen, worn with labor and watching and long fasting,
Paul the prisoner, on his way to trial and execution, spoke those grand