280
Testimonies for the Church Volume 5
for our good? “He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up
for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?”
Even in the night of affliction how can we refuse to lift heart and voice
in grateful praise, when we remember the love to us expressed by the
cross of Calvary?
What a theme for meditation is the sacrifice that Jesus made for lost
sinners! “He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for
our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with
His stripes we are healed.” How shall we estimate the blessings thus
brought within our reach? Could Jesus have suffered more? Could He
have purchased for us richer blessings? Should it not melt the hardest
heart when we remember that for our sakes He left the happiness and
glory of heaven and suffered poverty and shame, cruel affliction and a
terrible death? Had He not by His death and resurrection opened for
us the door of hope, we should have known nothing but the horrors
of darkness and the miseries of despair. In our present state, favored
and blessed as we are, we cannot realize from what depths we have
been rescued. We cannot measure how much deeper our afflictions
would have been, how much greater our woes, had not Jesus encircled
us with His human arm of sympathy and love, and lifted us up.
We may rejoice in hope. Our Advocate is in the heavenly sanctuary,
pleading in our behalf. Through His merits we have pardon and
[317]
peace. He died that He might wash away our sins, clothe us with
His righteousness, and fit us for the society of heaven, where we may
dwell in light forever. Dear brother, dear sister, when Satan would fill
your mind with despondency, gloom, and doubt, resist his suggestions.
Tell him of the blood of Jesus, that cleanses from all sin. You cannot
save yourself from the tempter’s power, but he trembles and flees
when the merits of that precious blood are urged. Then will you not
gratefully accept the blessings Jesus bestows? Will you not take the
cup of salvation that He presents, and call on the name of the Lord?
Do not show distrust of Him who has called you out of darkness into
His marvelous light. Do not for a moment pain the heart of the pitying
Saviour by your unbelief. He watches with the most intense interest
your progress in the heavenly way; He sees your earnest efforts; He
notes your declensions and your recoveries, your hopes and your fears,
your conflicts and your victories.