Prayer and Promises

THE PROMISE 

Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

— Philippians 3:13,14, NIV 

THE TESTIMONY 

My dear fellow workers, let the great purpose that constrained Paul to press forward in the face of hardship and difficulty lead you to consecrate yourselves wholly to God’s service.  

Into the daily life there come many perplexing problems that we can not solve. There are those who wish to adjust every difficulty, and to settle every question before they begin to work... In the end, the future will be just as indistinct, and the problems just as perplexing, as when they began to speculate about them.

It is in following light given that we receive greater light. Those who go forward in faith will find the solution of the problems that perplex them. Light will shine on the pathway of the workers who go forward without questioning. God will go before them, giving them skill and understanding to do that which needs to be done. Having committed themselves to the work, and having asked wisdom from God, let them trust in him. They can not carry the burden of their responsibility alone. This Christ does not ask them to do. He will carry, not a part, but the whole of the weight of their burden; for he is a mighty Saviour. 

Move, forward at the call of God. When he points out a work to be done, in his name and with full faith take up that work. You may not see the end from the beginning. Perplexities may surround you. Others may tell you of the lions in the way. But nevertheless go forward, saying, The Lord wants this work done, and I will act my part faithfully. I will not fail nor be discouraged. 

At times the arm of faith seems too short even to touch the Saviour’s garment, but there stands the promise, with God behind it: “Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am...” 

It is not our efforts that bring victory; it is seeing God behind the promise, and believing and trusting him. Grasp by faith the hand of infinite power. The Lord is faithful who has promised. 

— The Review and Herald, December 29, 1910 

THE RESPONSE 

Commit yourself to the work. Ask wisdom from God and trust in Him to go before you giving you skill and understanding to do what needs to be done. 

Move forward at the call of God saying, The Lord wants this work done and I will act my part faithfully. I will not fail nor be discouraged.

Stand on the promise: “You shall call and the Lord will answer; you shall cry and He shall say, Here I am...”

See God behind the promise. Believe and trust in God, by faith grasp the hand of infinite power.