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Be Strong

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 11, 1912

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 89, No. 15.

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Be Strong

By L. N. Muck

L. N. MUCK
The life we live is far from reaching that high standard of Christian perfection exemplified in the life of our Saviour. It is impossible for us in our own strength to reach the ideal set before us by our Master; but by taking Christ as our example, our friend and elder brother, we shall be able to put away everything that hampers the Christian growth.
Ask what you will, and it shall be done unto you. The asking must be done in faith. Man is as the grass of the field; it may flourish in the sunlight of to-day, and to-morrow wither and die; so with the most beautiful and fragrant flowers. The life of each human being is just as uncertain as that of the grass or flowers. The individual has no life of himself. We live, move, and have our existence because the Lord is long-suffering. He has not cut us off in our sins, but he has made it possible for us to make our calling and election sure. Notwithstanding the fact that we are creatures of uncertainty, we have an anchor for the soul that is sure and steadfast. No matter how high the billows may roll, no matter how dark the clouds may seem, no matter how fiercely the storm may rage, our anchor holds. “Trust ye in the Lord forever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength.” Isa. 26:4. To trust Jehovah means that we shall build on the Rock, and with Christ for our rock foundation, we shall withstand the fiercest storms of life.
“Come unto me,” says Jesus, “and I will give you rest.” Blessed promise! There is no rest for the soul separated from righteousness. There is no rest for the sinner separated from Christ, for he is like the billows of the sea. There is rest for the weary. There is life everlasting for every one who will seek refuge in Christ.
Be strong, not in yourselves, but in God. “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” John 15:7. To abide in Christ and to have his words abide in us means that we shall bend our will to his blessed will, and that we shall give our assent to everything that is good and pure. “Through the right exercise of the will, an entire change may be made in yourlife. By yielding up your will to Christ, you ally yourself with the power that is above all principalities and powers. You will have strength from above to hold you steadfast, and thus through constant surrender to God you will be enabled to live the new life, even the life of faith.”
Unless we study the Word of God, we can not know its meaning. “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Tim. 2:15. To know God means that we shall trust him, and we can not trust him unless we first learn to love and obey him.
Prayer is the avenue through which we can approach God. He invites us to come boldly to the throne of grace. We can do this only through prayer. Only those who have had their sins purged will be able to trust in him and look up to him in that day when the opening heavens shall reveal the Saviour of the world. Learn to trust God now while the sea of life is calm. If we fail to make our anchor sure now, it will not hold when the billows are high.
We need to be concerned about our souls. It is important that we know for a certainty that our sins have been forgiven. If we have been redeemed and can stand before the world testifying to the power of the gospel, our hearts will not be troubled. If the Lord is our shepherd, we shall not be afraid at his coming, because we shall know his voice and he will know his sheep.
If led by this Shepherd, though we walk in darkness and through the valley of the shadow of death, we need fear no evil, because the Lord is by our side to quiet all fears and to calm the storm. Let us then ask the Saviour to lead us all the way.
Are you ready to meet the Lord when he comes? Is your heart beating in anticipation of the pleasures which you will be permitted to enjoy in those heavenly mansions? If so, let us say with the revelator, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus;” but if not, let us flee to Christ where there is full forgiveness.
College View, Nebr.