26
Testimonies for the Church Volume 8
Zeal for God moved the disciples to bear witness to the truth with
mighty power. Should not this zeal fire our hearts with a determination
to tell the story of redeeming love, of Christ and Him crucified? Is
not the Spirit of God to come today, in answer to earnest, persevering
prayer, and fill men with power for service? Why, then, is the church
so weak and spiritless?
It is the privilege of every Christian, not only to look for, but to
hasten the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Were all who profess His
name bearing fruit to His glory, how quickly the whole world would
be sown with the seed of the gospel. Quickly the last harvest would be
ripened, and Christ would come to gather the precious grain.
[23]
My brethren and sisters, plead for the Holy Spirit, God stands
back of every promise He has made. With your Bibles in your hands,
say: “I have done as Thou hast said, I present Thy promise, ‘Ask, and
it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be
opened unto you.’” Christ declares: “What things soever ye desire,
when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.”
“Whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father
may be glorified in the Son.”
Matthew 7:7
;
Mark 11:24
;
14:13
.
The rainbow about the throne is an assurance that God is true; that
in Him is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. We have sinned
against Him and are undeserving of His favor; yet He Himself has
put into our lips that most wonderful of pleas: “Do not abhor us, for
Thy name’s sake, do not disgrace the throne of Thy glory: remember,
break not Thy covenant with us.”
Jeremiah 14:21
. He has pledged
Himself to give heed to our cry when we come to Him confessing
our unworthiness and sin. The honor of His throne is staked for the
fulfillment of His word to us.
* * * * *
Christ dispatches His messengers to every part of His dominion to
communicate His will to His servants. He walks in the midst of His
churches. He desires to sanctify, elevate, and ennoble His followers.
The influence of those who believe in Him will be in the world a savor
of life unto life. Christ holds the stars in His right hand, and it is His
purpose to let His light shine forth through them to the world. Thus He
desires to prepare His people for higher service in the church above.