Prayer and Promises

THE PROMISE  

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

— James 1:2,3,4, NKJV

THE TESTIMONY  

Those who have weighty responsibilities to bear in connection with the work of God are the ones that will be beset with the strongest temptations. If Satan can cause them to waver from the right, he not only takes away their own strength, but he destroys their influence for good over others. 

“But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect...” If we do not maintain the grace of patience, we shall never reach a state of perfection. Some of us have a nervous temperament, and are naturally as quick as a flash to think and to act; but let no one think that he cannot learn to become patient. Patience is a plant that will make rapid growth if carefully cultivated. By becoming thoroughly acquainted with ourselves, and then combining with the grace of God a firm determination on our part, we may be conquerors, and become perfect in all things, wanting in nothing. 

It is our privilege in our great weakness to take hold of the strength of the Mighty One. If we think to meet and overcome the enemy in our own strength, we shall be disappointed. It may seem at times that when we pray the most and try the hardest to do right, we have the greatest temptations. This is because Satan is perfectly satisfied with our condition when we are clothed with self-righteousness and do not realize our need of divine aid; but when we see our great need of help, and begin to draw near to God, he knows that God will draw near to us; therefore he places every possible obstruction in the way so that we shall not come into close connection with the Source of our strength. 

If we make an entire surrender to him, leave our life of sin and passion and pride, and cling to Christ and his merits, he will fulfill to us that he has promised. He says that he will give liberally to all who ask him. 

It is our privilege to claim the promise of the inspired word: “God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” 

— Historical Sketches of the Foreign Missions of the Seventh-day Adventists, 1886, p.134,135 

THE RESPONSE  

Realize your need of Divine aid. See your great need of help and draw near to God.

Make an entire surrender to Christ. Leave your life of sin and passion and pride and cling to Christ. 

Claim the promise, “God is faithful, who will not suffer me to be tempted above what I am able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that I may be able to bear it.”