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The Spirit of Prophecy Volume 4
and would have caused great suffering to his people. In the hour of
peril and distress let it never be forgotten that “the angel of the Lord
encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.”
[
Psalm 34:7
]
With earnest longing, God’s people await the tokens of their
coming King. As the watchmen are accosted, “What of the night?”
the answer is given unfalteringly, “‘The morning cometh, and also
the night.’ Light is gleaming upon the clouds above the mountain
tops. Soon will there be a revealing of His glory. The Sun of
Righteousness is about to shine forth. The morning and the night
come hand in hand,—the opening of endless day to the righteous,
the settling down of eternal night to the wicked.”
As the wrestling ones urge their petitions before God, the vail
separating them from the unseen seems almost withdrawn. 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: “Lo, I am with you. Be not afraid. I am
acquainted with all your sorrows; I have borne your griefs. 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 precious Saviour will send help just when we need it. The
way to Heaven is consecrated by his footprints. Every thorn that
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wounds our feet has wounded his. Every cross that we are called to
bear, he has borne before us. The Lord permits conflicts, to prepare
the soul for peace. If we had no storms, no shadows, we could not
appreciate the sunshine. The time of trouble is a fearful ordeal for
God’s people; but it is the time for every true believer to look up,
and by faith he may see the bow of promise encircling him.
“The redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing
unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head; they shall
obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away. I,
even I, am he that comforteth you; who art thou, that thou shouldst
be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall
be made as grass; and forgettest the Lord thy Maker; ... and hast
feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor, as
if he were ready to destroy? and where is the fury of the oppressor?