Manasseh and Josiah
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Of the abundant provision made for every tempted soul, the apostle
Paul bears eloquent testimony. To him was given the divine assurance,
“My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect
in weakness.” In gratitude and confidence the tried servant of God
responded: “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities,
that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in
infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses
for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”
2 Corinthians
12:9, 10
.
We must cherish and cultivate the faith of which prophets and
apostles have testified—the faith that lays hold on the promises of God
and waits for deliverance in His appointed time and way. The sure
word of prophecy will meet its final fulfillment in the glorious advent
of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, as King of kings and Lord of
lords. The time of waiting may seem long, the soul may be oppressed
by discouraging circumstances, many in whom confidence has been
placed may fall by the way; but with the prophet who endeavored to
encourage Judah in a time of unparalleled apostasy, let us confidently
declare, “The Lord is in His holy temple: let all the earth keep silence
[388]
before Him.”
Habakkuk 2:20
. Let us ever hold in remembrance the
cheering message, “The vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the
end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it
will surely come, it will not tarry.... The just shall live by his faith.”
Verses 3, 4
.
“O Lord, revive Thy work in the midst of the years,
In the midst of the years make known;
In wrath remember mercy.