Prayer and Promises

THE PROMISE

Now thanks be to God who always causes us to triumph in Christ and through us reveals the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.

— 2 Corinthians 2:14, MEV

THE TESTIMONY

The Lord has given us precious blessings in the simple flowers of the field, in the fragrance so grateful to our senses... God is a lover of the beautiful, and he would adorn our characters with his own rich graces. He would have our words as fragrant as the flowers of the field.

We should pray as did David, “Open thou my lips; and my mouth shall show forth thy praise.” The Lord would have us lay hold of these promises for ourselves. 

Faith should be cultivated. If it has become weak, it is like a sickly plant that should be placed in the sunshine, and carefully watered and tended. The Lord would have every one who has had light and evidence, cherish that light, and walk in its brightness. 

We are not to look at the thorns and the thistles in our experience. We are to go into the garden of God’s word, and pluck the lilies, the roses, and the fragrant pinks of his promises. Those who look upon the difficulties in their experience, will talk doubt and discouragement; for they do not behold Jesus. 

We should keep our minds upon the love, the mercy, the graciousness of our God, in order that we may become changed into his image, by beholding the divine character. Thus joy will be brought into our experience; for by studying the word of God we shall see that we are not left to our weakness, to our doubts... Talk faith; act faith. Cultivate the faith that works by love, and purifies the soul.

This morning my heart was drawn away from the things that are seen and temporal, to the things that are unseen and eternal. I said, O God, I will pluck the roses and the lilies and the pinks! I will call upon the name of the Lord! I will take the cup of salvation! 

— The Review and Herald, May 19, 1896 

THE RESPONSE

Pray like David, “Open my lips and my mouth will show forth Your praise.” Lay hold of these promises for yourself. 

Go into the garden of God’s word and pluck the lilies and fragrant pinks of His promises. Look to and behold Jesus. 

Keep the mind on the love, the mercy, the graciousness of your God. Talk faith; act faith.

Say, O God, I will pluck the roses and lilies! I will call on the name of the Lord! I will take the cup of salvation!