The Rod of Power by Mrs. Lura E. Davidson

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 6, 1913

The Rod of Power

By Mrs. Lura E. Davidson

MRS. LURA E. DAVIDSON

When Moses was called of heaven to do a great work, God gave him an instrument of power by which miracles were wrought, deliverances brought about, and the physical needs of human beings supplied.

The simple rod in the hand of Moses was used of God through which to manifest his power. In our day God is calling every true Seventh-day Adventist to a mighty work for him; does he, then, withhold the rod of power?—No, the prayer of faith is the mighty instrument in our hands which removes mountains of difficulty, divides the waters of perplexity and fear, conquers the hindering Pharaohs, and brings forth sweet waters of joy and consolation from rocks apparently dry and barren.

Prayer and faith go hand in hand. The man of great faith is the man of much prayer; and the man of much prayer is the man of great faith.

But there is much to learn about prayer. To many it is a perplexing thing when the Bible tells us that “if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us; and if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.” And yet perhaps we have been praying for years for things we know to be his will, and do not see the realization of our hopes. Perhaps we may be praying for relatives and friends. (Who of us is not?) We know this to be according to his will “who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” We know that we have the petitions we desired of him. There is a difference between having a petition granted, and realizing that petition in tangible form. An illustration will make this clear:—

Some years ago a poor man and his family were struggling for a living on a farm in a region of drought, and under other adverse circumstances. Besides a burden of debt, the father, who had served in the civil war, was suffering from disease contracted during his years of service. But for a small monthly pension granted by the government their suffering would have been greater. At this time Congress passed a law giving back pensions to all soldiers whose service complied with certain conditions. These conditions seemed to fit the service of our friend; and accordingly the legal application was quickly made out and forwarded to the proper authorities. Then came weeks of suspense hard to endure. Would the petition be granted? At last came the assurance in printed form duly signed, that the petition had been granted, and a remittance of several thousand dollars was promised. Was there any fear that the government would not make good?—None whatever. The promise of the United States government had been often tested, so that perfect confidence prevailed; and later the check came to hand.

Can we not at least exercise as much faith in God’s promises as we should in any earthly government however strong? God says our petitions are granted; do we fear that he will not make good? Many times our very lack of faith hinders the fulfilment; and though “with God nothing shall be impossible,” yet it may take more or less time for him to bring about the fulfilment, for he will in no case force men to believe on him or his truth. When Daniel prayed, an angel was sent at once to answer, but the angel strove three full weeks with the prince of Persia to lead him to do the things that would answer Daniel’s prayer.

But even though we know our petitions are granted, we are to continue to pray for the realization,—the fulfilment of them in our own lives or in others,—

because prayer is the very life of the soul, and the more we pray the stronger will our faith become.

In “Early Writings,” page 73, we are told why there is so little faith and power in Israel. Said the angel, “Ye let go of the arm of the Lord too soon. Press your petitions to the throne, and hold on by strong faith.” We have a right to “come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

There is but one condition to those prayers in which we know we are asking according to his will; and most of our prayers come under this head,—prayers for the salvation of others, for our own cleansing, for the work of God in the earth, etc.,—but to other prayers must be added, “Thy will be done.”

A great work lies before us; this can not be done without prayer, which brings in its train every needed blessing.

Seguatepeque, Honduras.