Prayer and Promises

You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. — Isaiah 26:3 NKJV 

An intensity such as never before was seen is taking possession of the world. In amusements, in money-making, in the contest for power, in the very struggle for existence, there is a terrible force that engrosses body and mind and soul. In the midst of this maddening rush, God is speaking. He bids us come apart and commune with Him. “Be still, and know that I am God.” 

“Come unto Me,” Christ says, “and I will give you rest…” But many who profess to be His followers have an anxious, troubled heart, because they are afraid to trust themselves with God. They do not make a complete surrender to Him; for they shrink from the consequences that such a surrender may involve. Unless they do make this surrender, they can not find peace. 

Rest in the shadow of Christ’s love, and learn from Him the lesson of quiet trust. Not a pause for a moment in His presence, but personal contact with Christ, to sit down in companionship with Him,—this is our need. Many, even in their seasons of devotion, fail of receiving the blessing of real communion with God. They are in too great haste. With hurried steps they press through the circle of Christ’s loving presence, pausing perhaps a moment within the sacred precincts, but not waiting for counsel. They have no time to remain with the divine Teacher. With their burdens they return to their work.

These workers can never attain the highest success until they learn the secret of strength. They must give themselves time to think, to pray, to wait upon God for a renewal of physical, mental, and spiritual power. They need the uplifting of His Spirit. Receiving this, they will be quickened by fresh life. 

Nothing of the world can make sad those whom Jesus makes glad by His presence. In perfect acquiescence there is perfect peace. “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee; because he trusteth in Thee.” Our lives may seem a tangle; but as we commit ourselves to the keeping of the Master-worker, He will bring out the pattern of life and character that will be to His own glory.

— Signs of the Times, July 6, 1904 

Thank You, O Lord, for the peace I find when I come apart from the maddening rush of the world and commune with You. My life is such a tangle, I surrender it all all to You. I put my trust in You alone. I need Your loving presence and the uplifting of Your Spirit. I wait on You for Your counsel and as I wait I continue to seek for spiritual, mental and physical renewal in You.