Your ShelfYour Projects

Editorial

10%

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 14, 1906

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 83, No. 24.

Read the full edition

Editorial

By Editor

God Lives

THE psalmist applied a very ugly word to the one who denies the existence of God. “The fool hath said in his heart; There is no God.” Some of the cultured infidels of the present day would be likely to resent the use of this word to denote the class to which they belong, and we have no disposition to wound their feelings, but for all that it is certainly a curious commentary on human nature that those who do not desire to retain God in their knowledge are generally classed among the intellectual leaders. And yet every blade of grass, every flower, every plant which is now being builded by mysterious processes, every tree that grows with the passing years, every creature that has breath, and every one of the heavenly bodies studding the firmament testifies to the mind ready to listen that there is a living God who upholds all things “by the word of his power.” In addition to this testimony of a world and a universe outside of ourselves, every Christian knows that he has talked with God. The heathen “pray to a god that can not save,” but those who have received the revelation from heaven call upon him who is “glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders.” “Jehovah is their strength, and he is a stronghold of salvation to his anointed.” God lives. In storm or in sunshine, God lives. In the earthquake and in the fire, God lives. In the hour of victory or in the hour of apparent defeat, God lives. On the mount of transfiguration or in the wilderness of temptation, God lives.
“As the hart panteth after the water brooks, So panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God.”

God Loves

THE living God is the loving God. He lives and loves. He loves and lives. Just so certain as it is that he lives, just so certain is it that he loves. The abundant testimony that he lives proves just as conclusively that he loves. And over and above all, we have in the gospel the wonderful evidence of the love of the living God. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” “Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called children of God.” God loves. In storm or in sunshine, God loves. In the earthquake and in the fire, God loves. In the hour of victory or in the hour of apparent defeat, God loves. On the mount of transfiguration or in the wilderness of temptation, God loves.
“He lives and loves, our Saviour King; With joyful lips your tribute bring; Repeat his praise, exalt his name, Whose grace and truth are still the same.”

God Reigns

THAT God who lives and loves is the King of the universe. “Jehovah hath established his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.” Among the rulers of the world the lesson needs to be learned that “the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.” Every individual member of the human family who recognizes God’s rightful place will say with the sweet singer of Israel, “I will extol thee, my God, O King.” Although “the prince of this world” may exalt himself and may assert a boastful claim to the kingdom, still God reigns. Although evil men and seducers may wax worse and worse, and evil at times seem to be in the ascendant, still God reigns. Although some who have known the truth may depart from the faith, still God reigns. In storm or in sunshine, God reigns. In the earthquake and in the fire, God reigns. In the hour of victory or in the hour of apparent defeat, God reigns. On the mount of transfiguration or in the wilderness of temptation, God reigns.
“He reigns! the Lord, the Saviour reigns! Sing to his name in lofty strains; Let all the saints in songs rejoice, And in his praise exalt their voice.”