Prayer and Promises

The promise 

You rejoice in this, even though now for a short time, if necessary, you suffer grief in various trials so that the proven character of your faith—more valuable than gold which, though perishable, is refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

— 1 Peter 1:6,7, CSB 

The Testimony 

The disciple of Christ will be fitted by his grace for every trial and test as he strives for perfection of character. By looking away from Jesus to some other one, or to something else, he may sometimes make mistakes; but as soon as he is warned of his danger, he again fastens his eyes upon Jesus, in whom his hope of eternal life is centered, and he plants his feet in the footprints of his Lord, and travels on securely. He rejoices, saying, “He is my living intercessor before God. He prays in my behalf. He is my advocate, and clothes me with the perfection of his own righteousness. This is all I require to enable me to bear shame and reproach for his dear name’s sake. If he permits me to endure persecution, he will give me grace and the comfort of his presence, so that his name shall be thereby glorified.” 

Those who are in connection with God are channels for the power of the Holy Spirit. If one who daily communes with God errs from the path, if he turns a moment from looking steadfastly unto Jesus, it is not because he sins willfully; for when he sees his mistake, he turns again, and fastens his eyes upon Jesus, and the fact that he has erred, does not make him less dear to the heart of God. He knows that he has communion with the Saviour; and when reproved for his mistake in some matter of judgment, he does not walk sullenly, and complain of God, but turns the mistake into a victory. He learns a lesson from the words of the Master, and takes heed that he be not again deceived. Those who truly love God have internal evidence that they are beloved of God, that they have communion with Christ, that their hearts are warmed with fervent love toward him. 

The remedy for unlikeness to Christ…is to live humbly, to keep looking unto Jesus in prayerful watchfulness, until changed into the likeness of his beautiful character. 

The cry of the soul must be, give me the bread of life… Thou, O Lord, must be my helper. Thou wast wounded for my transgressions, bruised for my iniquities, the chastisement of thy peace was upon me, and with thy stripes I am healed. 

— The Review and Herald, May 12, 1896 

The response 

Dear Savior, be my helper through my fiery trial. I fasten my eyes on you and learn Your lessens that my mistake may be turned into a victory. You were wounded for my transgressions, the punishment that brings me peace was laid on You, by Your suffering I am healed. I rejoice in Your love, O Lord, and in the grace and comforts of Your presence. Clothe me with the perfection of Your own righteousness that Your name may be glorified.