Prayer and Promises

And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord. — Luke 1:45, ESV 

How I wish that we might all believe in the promises of God. He says, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: for everyone that asketh, receiveth…” Do we really believe this promise? We should comply with the conditions laid down in God’s word; for if we do this we shall receive, simply because God has pledged his word. We are not to look into our hearts for a joyful emotion as an evidence of our acceptance with Heaven, but we are to take God’s promises, and say, “They are mine. The Lord is letting his Holy Spirit rest upon me. I am receiving the light; for the promise is, ‘Believe that ye receive the things ye ask for, and ye shall have them.’ By faith I reach within the vail, and lay hold of Christ, my strength. I thank God that I have a Saviour.” 

Are you taking God at his word, planting your feet on the eternal Rock that cannot be moved? You should daily be making advancement in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour. If you have been laboring in your own strength, make a covenant with God that from this time forth you will rely upon Him who is mighty to save to the uttermost all who come unto Him… May God help us that self may die here. May he help us to humble our souls by repentance and confession until we can come before him clothed in the righteousness of Christ. 

Say before Heaven, “I have nothing of my own to bring; I want that righteousness that comes through the merits of the blood of a crucified and risen Saviour.” How thankful we should be that we have a whole Saviour, that in him is our complete righteousness and salvation! 

When you have tasted and seen that the Lord is good, you will have something to tell. Like Philip, when he found the Saviour, you will go forth to invite others into his presence, saying, “I have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write.” 

May the blessing of God rest upon his people as never before. May they come up to their high privilege, and open the door of the heart and let Jesus in to sup with them and they with him. 

— Signs of the Times, March 25, 1889 

Father God, I humbly come before You in repentance and confession, asking for help that self may die. I have nothing of my own to bring. I seek to be clothed in the righteousness of Christ and I take You at Your word that I may receive the Holy Spirit and be filled with Your light. The blessed promise is, “Believe that you will receive the things you ask for, and you shall have them.” Thank You for the precious blessings from my crucified and risen Savior!