GOD'S BLESSING by Simon Patten

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 16, 1867

GOD'S BLESSING.

By Simon Patten

“Then the priests, the Levites arose and blessed the people: and their voice was heard, and their prayer came up to his holy dwelling-place, even unto heaven.” 2 Chron. xxx, 27. Such is the record of God's hearing prayer anciently, and let us look over some of his dealings with his people then. When Hezekiah came to the throne, he found the nation engaged in idolatry, chap. xxix, and he took a course that pleased the Lord. His acts were done in reference to the glory of God, and it is written that God heard the blessing pronounced by the priests. Now, did God bless him in his reign or not? Turning to Isa. xxxvii, we see as Sennacherib, the king of Assyria, is coming toward Jerusalem with his army, and has sent messengers to Hezekiah with blasphemous words, saying, “Who is the Lord that he should deliver you out of my hand,” Hezekiah prays. Is he left in his extremity? Is it all in vain that he has served his God so faithfully? Verse 36. “Then the angel of the Lord went forth and smote in the camp of the Assyrians a hundred and four score and five thousand.” Thus the Lord heard Hezekiah's prayer, and fought for him. He would not let his holy name be reproached.

Now, to come nearer home. Is not God as willing to bless his people now as he was formerly? Has he changed? Oh! no. But our sins and our transgressions have separated us from him. Brethren, we long for the time to come when this message will go with a loud voice, but are we ready to carry it to the world? Have we not a work to do for ourselves? When Hezekiah would serve the Lord faithfully he had a work to do. He cleansed the house of God, and put away idolatry from Judah, and then God could bless him. He could prosper him then and it would be for his own glory. So should we cleanse our hearts, put away the idols that have found a place there. Then it will be for the glory of God to prosper us, this work will move faster, and efforts to advance the cause will be blessed more abundantly. Oh! that we might realize the importance of overcoming more than we do. But if any will continue in their own course, God will let them go and raise up those who will be faithful. This truth is not dependent on us individually, but we are dependent on the truth. Our salvation depends on the course we take. Then let us set about the work more earnestly. Time is short, and what is done must be done quickly. Shall we rest at our ease now, and awake to the reality of our danger too late, then to hear the Judge say, “Ye knew your duty but ye did it not?” May God forbid. But may we be of that happy number who will see the inside of that city of gold, and partake of the fruit of the tree of life. Would we be there, now is the time to prepare. We must gain an experience now, or lament the want of it soon.

SIMON PATTEN.

Germania, Wis., March 1867.