Prayer and Promises

THE PROMISE 

But My servant Caleb, because he has had a different spirit and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land which he entered, and his descendants shall take possession of it.  Say to them, “As I live,” says the Lord, “just as you have spoken in My hearing, so I will surely do to you.” 

— Numbers 14:24,28, NASB 

THE TESTIMONY 

The cause of God is suffering for want of men like Caleb and Joshua, men of fidelity and unshaken trust. God calls for men who will give themselves to him to be imbued with his Spirit. The cause of Christ and humanity demand sanctified, self-sacrificing men. 

We need greater faith in the progress of the cause of God. When the Lord gives us a work to do, let us not stop to inquire into the reasonableness of the command or the probable result of our effort to obey. Workers for Christ are never to think, much less to speak, of failure in their work. Though the outward appearance may be unpromising, energy and trust in God will develop resources. 

If we restrain the expression of unbelief, and by hopeful words and prompt movements strengthen our own faith and the faith of others, our vision will grow clearer. 

Be strong, and talk hope. Press your way through obstacles. God’s word is your assurance. Approach your Saviour with the full confidence of living faith, joining your hands with his. Go where he leads the way. Whatsoever he says to you, do. He will teach you just as willingly as he will teach some one else. 

Often the Christian life is beset with dangers, and duty seems hard to perform. The imagination pictures impending ruin before, and bondage or death behind. Yet the voice of God speaks clearly, “Go forward.” Let us obey the command, even though our sight cannot penetrate the darkness. The obstacles that hinder our progress will never disappear before a halting, doubting spirit. Those who defer obedience till every shadow of uncertainty disappears, and there remains no risk of failure or defeat, will never obey. 

“Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Have we not proved this in the past? As we moved out, trusting God’s promises, things unseen, except by the eye of faith, have become things seen. As we have walked and worked by faith, God has fulfilled to us every word he has spoken. The evidence we have of the faithfulness of his promise should check every thought of unbelief. 

— The Review and Herald, May 20, 1902 

THE RESPONSE 

Restrain the expression of unbelief, strengthen your faith by hopeful words. 

Be strong and talk hope. Press your way through obstacles and take God’s word as your assurance. 

Obey His command even though your sight cannot penetrate the darkness. 

Move forward trusting in God’s promises. As you walk and work by faith, God will fulfill every word He has spoken.