Prayer and Promises

THE PROMISE 

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

— 2 Corinthians 4:17,18, NIV 

You must not be controlled by feeling. You must look away from the things that are seen, to the things that are unseen, trusting and rejoicing in the promises of God. 

The Saviour desires your joy to be full, therefore he tells you to abide in him and he will abide in you. Open the door of your heart, and let in Jesus and the bright rays of his righteousness. He loves us with a love that is inexpressible… he says, “I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” When he has given us such an assurance of his care, should we not respond to it by giving him our confidence? 

Begin to sing the song of praise and rejoicing here below. Do you want to learn the song of praise here, do not let a single word of bitterness or envy or fault-finding escape your lips; but let your lips be tuned to praise God. There is enough to discourage us everywhere, but we must look to the Author and Finisher of our faith, and by beholding his loveliness and purity become changed into the same image. You can feast your soul on his love. 

You can drive out the enemy with his gloom; his dark shadow will be swept from your pathway by praising God, and you can see, O, so much clearer, the love and compassion of your Heavenly Father. It is Satan’s studied effort to eclipse the light of the Sun of Righteousness so that you cannot see it. Your mind should be uplifted to God; you should have praise meetings in your family and in the church. 

Our Saviour is coming again, and he wants to find you all ready for his appearing. If you are ready, your eyes will be beholding Jesus and heaven your home. When trials come to depress and discourage you, you must talk faith, not doubt and despondency; you must place your eyes upon heaven and heavenly things. 

Says Paul, “Our light affliction which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen.” Then let us keep talking of Jesus and his love; let us dwell upon the precious truths which he has intrusted to our keeping

Brethren and sisters, may the grace of God and his blessing come into your hearts. 

— The Review and Herald, August 5, 1890 

Father God, I pray that Your grace and Your blessings may come into my heart. I trust and rejoice in Your promises, for they help me to look away from the things that are seen to the things that are not seen. I want to learn the song of praise instead of speaking my own fault-finding words. I look to You with a grateful heart that as I behold Your goodness and talk of Your love, that I may become changed into Your image.