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Selected Messages Book 2
Thy favors, O my God,” is my cry. My only hope is in a crucified and
risen Saviour. I claim the merits of the blood of Christ. Jesus will save
to the uttermost all who put their trust in Him.
It is sometimes hard for me to preserve a cheerful countenance
when my heart is rent with anguish. But I would not permit my
sorrow to cast a gloom upon all around me. Seasons of affliction
and bereavement are often rendered more sorrowful and distressing
than they should be, because it is customary to give ourselves up to
mourning without restraint. By the help of Jesus, I determined to shun
this evil; but my resolution has been severely tested. My husband’s
death was a heavy blow to me, more keenly felt because so sudden.
As I saw the seal of death upon his countenance, my feelings were
almost insupportable. I longed to cry out in my anguish. But I knew
that this could not save the life of my loved one, and I felt that it would
be unchristian to give myself up to sorrow. I sought help and comfort
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from above, and the promises of God were verified to me. The Lord’s
hand sustained me. It is a sin to indulge, without restraint, in mourning
and lamentation. By the grace of Christ, we may be composed and
even cheerful under sore trial.
Let us learn a lesson of courage and fortitude from the last interview
of Christ with His apostles. They were about to be separated. Our
Saviour was entering the bloodstained path which would lead Him to
Calvary. Never was scene more trying than that through which He was
soon to pass. The apostles had heard the words of Christ foretelling
His sufferings and death, and their hearts were heavy with sorrow, their
minds distracted with doubt and fear. Yet there were no loud outcries;
there was no abandonment of grief. Those last solemn, momentous
hours were spent by our Saviour in speaking words of comfort and
assurance to His disciples, and then all united in a hymn of praise....
A Time for Prayer and Praise
When difficulties and trials surround us, we should flee to God, and
confidently expect help from Him who is mighty to save and strong to
deliver. We must ask for God’s blessing if we would receive it. Prayer
is a duty and a necessity; but do we not neglect praise? Should we not
oftener render thanksgiving to the Giver of all our blessings? We need
to cultivate gratitude. We should frequently contemplate and recount