Prayer and Promises

These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.

God’s promises to us are so rich, so full, that we need never hesitate or doubt; we need never waver or backslide. In view of the encouragements that are found all through the Word of God, we have no right to be gloomy or despondent. We may have weakness of body; but the compassionate Saviour says: “Ask, and it shall be given you... For every one that asketh receiveth...” 

His promises are so clearly stated that there is no cause for uncertainty. He desires us to take him at his word. At times we shall be in great perplexity, and not know just what to do. But at such times it is our privilege to take our Bibles, and read the messages he has given us; and then get down on our knees, and ask him to help us. Over and over again he has given evidence that he is a prayer-hearing and prayer-answering God. He fulfils his promises in far greater measure than we expect to receive help. 

So long as Satan continues to live, we shall have perplexity; and if we choose to follow the counsel of the enemy, we shall have constant difficulty; but if we refuse to yield to satanic influences, choosing rather to lay hold on God and on the promises of his Word, we shall be able to help and strengthen and uphold one another. Thus we shall bring into the work with which we are connected a spirit of courage. 

We are chosen of God to be his children. We have been bought with an infinite price, and we have no occasion for placing the suggestions of the enemy before the assurances of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Wherever we may be, we shall continue to have trials. But if we give up to the suggestions of the enemy, we lose the battle. Can we afford to yield to the arch-deceiver?—Oh, no! We are to turn for help and deliverance to Him who “according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,” even the hope of an eternal inheritance reserved for those “who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.” 

— The Southern Work, May 1, 1914