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The Ministry of Health and Healing
into the nets that Satan has spread for the feet of the straying. Instead
of thinking of your discouragements, think of the power you can
claim in Christ’s name. Let your imagination take hold upon things
unseen. Let your thoughts be directed to the evidences of the great
love of God for you. Faith can endure trial, resist temptation, bear
up under disappointment. Jesus lives as our advocate. All is ours
that His mediation secures.
Christ values those who live wholly for Him. He visits those
who, like the beloved John in exile, are for His sake in hard and
trying places. God will not suffer one of His truehearted workers to
be left alone, to struggle against great odds and be overcome. He
preserves as a precious jewel everyone whose life is hid with Christ
in Him. Of every such one He says: ““I ... will make you like a
signet ring; for I have chosen you.’”
Haggai 2:23
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Then talk of the promises. Talk of Jesus’ willingness to bless. He
does not forget us for one brief moment. When, despite disagreeable
circumstances, we rest confidingly in His love and shut ourselves in
with Him, the sense of His presence will inspire a deep, tranquil joy.
Of Himself Christ said: “‘I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father
taught Me, I speak these things. And He who sent Me is with Me.
The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that
please Him.’”
John 8:28, 29
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The Father’s presence encircled Christ, and nothing befell Him
but that which infinite love permitted for the blessing of the world.
Here was His source of comfort, and it is for us. Those who are
imbued with the Spirit of Christ abide in Christ. Whatever comes to
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them comes from the Savior, who surrounds them with His presence.
Nothing can touch them except by the Lord’s permission. All our
sufferings and sorrows, all our temptations and trials, all our sadness
and griefs, all our persecutions and privations—in short, all things—
work together for our good. All experiences and circumstances are
God’s workmen whereby good is brought to us.
If we have a sense of the longsuffering of God toward us, we
shall not be found judging or accusing others. When Christ was
living on the earth, how surprised His associates would have been if,
after becoming acquainted with Him, they had heard Him speak one
word of accusation, of fault-finding, or of impatience. Let us never
forget that those who love Him are to represent Him in character.