150
Counsels on Health
but this promise was given on the condition of obedience. Had the
Israelites obeyed the instruction they received, and profited by their
advantages, they would have been the world’s object lesson of health
and prosperity. The Israelites failed of fulfilling God’s purpose and
thus failed of receiving the blessings that might have been theirs. But
in Joseph and Daniel, in Moses and Elijah, and many others, we
have noble examples of the results of the true plan of living. Like
faithfulness today will produce like results. To us it is written, “Ye
are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar
people; that ye should show forth the praises of Him who hath called
you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”
1 Peter 2:9
.
Oh, how many lose the richest blessings that God has in store
for them in health and spiritual endowments! There are many souls
who wrestle for special victories and special blessings that they may
do some great thing. To this end they are always feeling that they
must make an agonizing struggle in prayer and tears. When these
persons search the Scriptures with prayer to know the expressed will
of God, and then do His will from the heart without one reservation
or self-indulgence, they will find rest. All the agonizing, all the tears
and struggles, will not bring them the blessing they long for. Self must
be entirely surrendered. They must do the work that presents itself,
appropriating the abundance of the grace of God which is promised to
all who ask in faith.
“If any man will come after Me,” said Jesus, “let him deny himself,
[140]
and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”
Luke 9:23
. Let us follow
the Saviour in His simplicity and self-denial. Let us lift up the Man
of Calvary by word and by holy living. The Saviour comes very near
to those who consecrate themselves to God. If ever there was a time
when we needed the working of the Spirit of God upon our hearts and
lives, it is now. Let us lay hold of this divine power for strength to live
a life of holiness and self-surrender.