p. 194 | The Design

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 22, 1866

The Design.

BELIEVER, art thou afflicted? Art thou severely tried? Does trouble after trouble roll over thee? What is the cause? There must be one. What is the design? Hast thou inquired? If not, inquire now. Why does God try me so? Does he hate me? No. Is he wrathful? No; he hath sworn that he will not be wroth with thee. Why then is it? God intends to make thee holy—to make thee like himself. He is weaning thee from the creature. He is wearying thee of earth. He intends to raise thy desires, hopes, and thoughts, to Heaven. He is detaching and separating thee from what pollutes and defiles, that he may polish and brighten thee to catch and reflect the rays of his glory in his presence forever.

You have prayed to be made holy. God has heard your prayer. He approves of it. He is answering it. By his present dealings, which he will sanctify by the power of his Holy Spirit, he will prepare thee to glorify him on earth, and make thee meet to partake of the inheritance in light. His design is most gracious, every way worthy of himself; and you will see by and by that love and wisdom appointed and arranged every trial you are now passing through. Submit yourself, therefore, unto God; accept his corrections, nor ever complain of his dealings. He treats you as his child. He corrects you for your good. He prepares you for what he has prepared for you. He will make you a vessel of mercy, afore prepared unto glory. In eternity you will bless him for the discipline of time.—Mothers' Journal.