Words of Hope…
We should never study the Bible without prayer. Only the Holy Spirit can cause us to feel the importance of things we understand easily or prevent us from twisting difficult truths. Heavenly angels prepare the heart to comprehend God’s Word. We will be charmed with its beauty and strengthened by its promises. Temptations often seem irresistible because the tempted one cannot quickly remember God’s promises and oppose Satan with the Scripture weapons. But angels are close to those willing to be taught, and they will bring to their memory the truths they need.
“He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance
all things that I said to you” (John 14:26). But we must first store
the teachings of Christ in the mind in order for the Spirit of God to
bring them to our remembrance in the time of danger.
The destiny of all people on earth is about to be decided. Every
follower of Christ should ask earnestly, “Lord, what do You want me
to do?” (Acts 9:6). We should now seek a deep and living experience
in the things of God. We have no time to lose. We are on Satan’s
territory. Sentinels of God, don’t be caught sleeping!
Many congratulate themselves for the wrong acts that they do
not commit. But it is not enough for them to be trees in the garden
of God. They are to bear fruit. In the books of heaven they are
registered as those who use up the ground. Yet God’s heart of longsuffering love still pleads with those who have despised His mercy
and abused His grace.
In the summer there is no noticeable difference between evergreens
and other trees. But when the storms of winter come, the evergreens remain unchanged while other trees lose their leaves. If opposition arises, intolerance again prevails, and persecution is kindled, the halfhearted and hypocritical will give up the faith. But the true Christians will stand firm, their faith stronger, their hope
brighter, than in times of prosperity.
“He will be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out
its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit” (Jeremiah 17:8).
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Source: Ellen G. White, The Great Hope, pp. 57, 58.