Prayer and Promises

After this I saw another angel with great authority coming down from heaven, and the earth was illuminated by his splendor. Then I heard another voice from heaven: Come out of her, My people, so that you will not share in her sins or receive any of her plagues. — Revelation 18:1,4, HCSB 

Only a little longer will the voice of mercy be heard; only a little longer will the gracious invitation be given, “If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.” God sends his warning message to people everywhere. 

Taking our Bibles, we are to go forth to warn the world. We are to be God’s helping hand in saving souls. We are to be channels through which his love can flow to the perishing. A realization of the greatness of the work in which we have the privilege of taking part, ennobles and sanctifies the true worker. He is filled with the faith that works by love and purifies the soul. Nothing is drudgery to the one who submits to the will of God. “Doing it unto the Lord” is the thought that throws a charm over the work that God gives him to do. 

When we realize that we are working for God, we shall have a higher sense of the sacredness of spiritual service than we have ever had. This realization will put persevering energy into the discharge of every duty. True religion is intensely practical. In the saving of souls nothing but earnest, whole-hearted labor will avail. We are to make our every-day duties acts of devotion, constantly increasing in usefulness because we look at our work in the light of eternity. 

Is the love of Christ abiding in your hearts, softening and subduing your words? Do you seek for the Holy Spirit’s power, humbling yourselves before God? Have you surrendered yourselves to him for purification and sanctification? Do you pray earnestly for the heavenly power that alone can quell the quick-rising anger and check the hasty words? Have you put away all self-seeking? 

Draw your power from the highest Authority, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will aid you in your efforts to save those who are out of the fold. Remember that you are working for God, not for man. Plead earnestly for the power of God. Show a constantly increasing devotion to his service, and leave with him the measurement of your work. 

— The Review and Herald, December 9, 1902  

My heavenly Father, I accept the call to be a channel through which Your love can flow out to those who are perishing. Through faith in Christ, I humbly surrender myself for purification and sanctification. I pray earnestly for heavenly power to suppress my hasty words and put an end to my quick-temper. I plead for Your power that I may grow in faith and devotion that works by love in doing Your service.