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The Greatest Need, October 1
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be
whiter than snow.
Psalm 51:7
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A revival of true godliness among us is the greatest and most urgent of
all our needs. To seek this should be our first work. There must be earnest
effort to obtain the blessing of the Lord, not because God is not willing to
bestow His blessing upon us, but because we are unprepared to receive it.
Our heavenly Father is more willing to give His Holy Spirit to them that ask
Him than are earthly parents to give good gifts to their children. But it is our
work, by confession, humiliation, repentance, and earnest prayer, to fulfill
the conditions upon which God has promised to grant us His blessing.
A revival need be expected only in answer to prayer. While the people are
so destitute of God’s Holy Spirit, they cannot appreciate the preaching of the
Word; but when the Spirit’s power touches their hearts, then the discourses
given will not be without effect. Guided by the teachings of God’s Word,
with the manifestation of His Spirit, in the exercise of sound discretion, those
who attend our meetings will gain a precious experience, and returning home
will be prepared to exert a healthful influence.
The old standard-bearers knew what it was to wrestle with God in prayer,
and to enjoy the outpouring of His Spirit. But these are passing off from the
stage of action; and who are coming up to fill their places? How is it with the
rising generation? Are they converted to God? Are we awake to the work that
is going on in the heavenly sanctuary, or are we waiting for some compelling
power to come upon the church before we shall arouse? Are we hoping to
see the whole church revived? That time will never come.
There are persons in the church who are not converted, and who will not
unite in earnest, prevailing prayer. We must enter upon the work individually.
We must pray more, and talk less.—
The Review and Herald, March 22, 1887
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