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Christ’s Object Lessons
the grave of Lazarus, “If thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the
glory of God.”
John 11:40
.
But many have not a living faith. This is why they do not see more
of the power of God. Their weakness is the result of their unbelief.
They have more faith in their own working than in the working of God
for them. They take themselves into their own keeping. They plan and
devise, but pray little, and have little real trust in God. They think they
have faith, but it is only the impulse of the moment. Failing to realize
their own need, or God’s willingness to give, they do not persevere in
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keeping their requests before the Lord.
Our prayers are to be as earnest and persistent as was the petition
of the needy friend who asked for the loaves at midnight. The more
earnestly and steadfastly we ask, the closer will be our spiritual union
with Christ. We shall receive increased blessings because we have
increased faith.
Our part is to pray and believe. Watch unto prayer. Watch, and
co-operate with the prayer-hearing God. Bear in mind that “we are
labourers together with God.”
1 Corinthians 3:9
. Speak and act in
harmony with your prayers. It will make an infinite difference with
you whether trial shall prove your faith to be genuine, or show that
your prayers are only a form.
When perplexities arise, and difficulties confront you, look not
for help to humanity. Trust all with God. The practice of telling our
difficulties to others only makes us weak, and brings no strength to
them. It lays upon them the burden of our spiritual infirmities, which
they cannot relieve. We seek the strength of erring, finite man, when
we might have the strength of the unerring, infinite God.
You need not go to the ends of the earth for wisdom, for God is
near. It is not the capabilities you now possess or ever will have that
will give you success. It is that which the Lord can do for you. We
need to have far less confidence in what man can do and far more
confidence in what God can do for every believing soul. He longs to
have you reach after Him by faith. He longs to have you expect great
things from Him. He longs to give you understanding in temporal as
well as in spiritual matters. He can sharpen the intellect. He can give
tact and skill. Put your talents into the work, ask God for wisdom, and
it will be given you.
Take the word of Christ as your assurance. Has He not invited
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