Chapter 258—Power in the Promises
That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and
patience inherit the promises.
Hebrews 6:12
.
We must keep close to the Word of God. We need its warnings and
encouragement, its threatenings and promises.
The Scriptures are to be received as God’s word to us, not written merely,
but spoken. When the afflicted ones came to Christ, He beheld not only
those who asked for help, but all who throughout the ages should come to
Him in like need and with like faith. When He said to the paralytic, “Son,
be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee” (
Matthew 9:2
) ..., He spoke to
other afflicted, sin-burdened ones who should seek His help. So with all the
promises of God’s word. In them He is speaking to us individually, speaking
as directly as if we could listen to His voice. It is in these promises that
Christ communicates to us His grace and power. They are leaves from that
tree which is “for the healing of the nations” (
Revelation 22:2
). Received,
assimilated, they are to be the strength of the character, the inspiration and
sustenance of the life. Nothing else can have such healing power.
God loves His creatures with a love that is both tender and strong. He
has established the laws of nature, but His laws are not arbitrary exactions.
Every “thou shalt not,” whether in physical or moral law, contains or implies
a promise. If it is obeyed, blessings will attend our steps; if it is disobeyed,
the result is danger and unhappiness. The laws of God are designed to bring
His people closer to Himself. He will save them from the evil and lead them
to the good if they will be led, but force them He never will.
We are too faithless. Oh, how I wish that I could lead our people to have
faith in God! They need not feel that in order to exercise faith they must be
wrought up into a high state of excitement. All they have to do is to believe
God’s Word, just as they believe one another’s word. He hath said it, and
He will perform His Word. Calmly rely on His promise, because He means
all that He says. Say, He has spoken to me in His Word, and He will fulfill
every promise that He has made. Do not become restless. Be trustful. God’s
Word is true. Act as if your heavenly Father could be trusted.
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