Prayer and Promises

Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away. But be alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place and to stand before the Son of Man.” — Luke 21:33,36, HCSB 

Jesus is soon coming, and our position should be that of waiting and watching for his appearing. 

We should not allow our time to be so occupied with things of a temporal nature, or even with matters pertaining to the cause of God, that we shall pass on day after day without pressing close to the bleeding side of Jesus. We want to commune with him daily. We are exhorted to fight the good fight of faith. It will be a hard battle to maintain a life of earnest faith; but if we cast ourselves wholly upon Christ, with a settled determination to cleave only to him, we shall be able to repulse the enemy, and gain a glorious victory. 

When we feel the least inclined to commune with Jesus, let us pray the most. By so doing we shall break Satan’s snare, the clouds of darkness will disappear, and we shall realize the sweet presence of Jesus. Let us here resolve that we will not sin against God with our lips, that we will never speak in a light and trifling manner, that we will never murmur or complain at the providence of God, and that we will not become accusers of our brethren. We cannot always hinder the thoughts that come as temptations; but we can resist the enemy so that we shall not utter them. The adversary of souls is not permitted to read the thoughts of men; but he is a keen observer, and he marks the words and actions, and skillfully adapts his temptations accordingly. If all would labor to repress sinful thoughts and feelings, giving them no expression in words or acts, Satan would be defeated; for he would not know how to prepare his specious temptations to meet their cases. 

We want to get in the habit of talking of heaven, beautiful heaven. Talk of that life which will continue as long as God shall live, and then you will forget your little trials and difficulties. Let the mind be attracted to God. “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” And now may the blessing and peace of God rest upon you all, my brethren and sisters. May your lives from henceforth be lives of watchfulness and prayer.

— Historical Sketches of the Foreign Missions of the Seventh-day Adventists, p.145,146 

Dear Lord, You are so good to give us Your eternal words of life. Forgive me for murmuring and being so occupied with the things of this life that I have little time to press close to Jesus. I cast myself wholly on Christ and am determined to cleave to You through all the battles of life. I seek Your presence that Your blessing and peace may rest upon me. Help me continue in watchfulness and prayer.