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The Need of Vital Power

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 25, 1909

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 86, No. 12.

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The Need of Vital Power

By R. D. QUINN

R. D. QUINN
WHEN David was called from the sheep-cotes and from following the sheep, to be made ruler over God's people, he was first of all anointed for his mission, and for the great work to which he had been called. The record reads that “Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward. . . . And David went on, and grew great, and the Lord God of hosts was with him.”
When Moses was called from the wilds of Midian to lead the children of Israel out of Egyptian bondage, he hesitated to undertake the great task, until God had repeatedly promised him that his presence, or Spirit, would go with him. Forty years later, when the burden of this mission was transferred from Moses to another, it was “Joshua, the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit,” who was selected.
Elijah, called of God to begin a mighty reformation in the time of apostasy, was so anointed for his mission that he has by some been termed “the fire prophet.” By his faith and prayers, he called down fire from heaven, and finally went to heaven in a chariot of fire, with horses of fire. One thousand years later, the angel Gabriel, in announcing the birth of John the Baptist and the marvelous work that would be accomplished through him, also, could compare that work to nothing greater than the “spirit and power of Elias.” Yet Elisha, as a preparation for his life-work, asked for and received a double portion of the spirit that had rested upon Elijah.
When Christ began his public ministry, the Spirit of God descended from heaven upon him, and he was “anointed . . . with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.”
The disciples were told to tarry in Jerusalem, until they were baptized with the Holy Ghost for service; and when they had received the anointing, it was not long until they filled all Jerusalem with their doctrine, and all other places, so that the gospel was preached to every creature which was under heaven, in that generation.
Now the cause of the marvelous success that attended all these men, and many others too numerous to mention, is obvious. They received the unction; they were anointed for their mission; they were sent forth by the Holy Ghost. It was the presence of the mighty God of Jacob that made them great. “For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.” We are told that “the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.”
The secret of success in God's work, is the union of divine power with human effort. Those who achieve the greatest victories are those who take God into account, and who rely most implicitly upon the almighty arm. When, because of the murmurings of the children of Israel in the wilderness, the faith of Moses was severely tried, he cried to God for help. Again and again the record states, “When Moses heard it, he fell upon his face.” “He endured, as seeing him who is invisible.” His successor, Joshua, who commanded, “Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon,” is the man who for hours lay prostrate upon the earth in prayer in the camp at Gilgal. The men of prayer are the men of power.
David's courage and boldness in going forth to meet the Philistine champion, were inspired by his keen sense of the presence of God. He said to his antagonist, “I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel.” He was reckoning on those invisible armies of light and power that attend the righteous from day to day; and their presence, though unseen by mortal eye, was just as real to David as was the presence of Goliath. With a mighty faith like his, what had he to fear?
After recounting the deeds of men of this type, Paul says, “What shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gideon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthah; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, . . . escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.”
“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin [of unbelief] which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.”
And now let us ask ourselves this living question: Shall we be satisfied with less power than characterized the lives and work of these men? Certainly there was never a time in the history of this world when the work of God was more in need of just such men of faith and power as is revealed in Paul's missionary roll-call of past dispensations.
“Why do we not hunger and thirst for the gift of the Spirit, since this is the means by which we are to receive power? Why do we not talk of it, pray for it, preach concerning it? The Lord is more willing to give the Holy Spirit to us than parents are to give good gifts to their children. My brethren and sisters, plead for the Holy Spirit. God stands back of every promise he has made. With your Bibles in your hands, say, ‘I have done as thou hast said; I present thy promise, “Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.”’”
“The dispensation in which we are now living is to be, to those that ask, the dispensation of the Holy Spirit. Ask for his blessing. It is time we were more intense in our devotion. To us is committed the arduous, but happy, glorious work of revealing Christ to those who are in darkness. We are called to proclaim the special truths for this time. For all this the outpouring of the Spirit is essential. We should pray for it. The Lord expects us to ask him. We have not been whole-hearted in this work. What can I say to my brethren in the name of the Lord? What proportion of our efforts has been made in accordance with the light the Lord has been pleased to give? We can not depend upon form or external machinery. What we need is the quickening influence of the Holy Spirit of God. ‘Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.’ Pray without ceasing, and watch by working in accordance with your prayers. As you pray, believe, trust in God. It is the time of the latter rain, when the Lord will give largely of his Spirit. Be fervent in prayer, and watch in the Spirit.”
Bozeman, Mont.