Ground of Hope, Courage, and Confidence
By Ole Andres Olsen
The special providences of God as manifested in this work have been most marked. From the very beginning the evidence of God's leading and guiding hand have been no less prominent than in the time of the children of Israel; but, like them, our faith has been at fault. God came very near to Israel, giving them very definite instruction on all matters that pertained to their well-being. Had they believed and obeyed God, great blessings and prosperity would have come to them, and they in turn would have become a great blessing in the earth. In like manner has the Lord wrought among this people. From the very beginning the spirit of prophecy has been connected with this work, and the value of the help and blessings that have come to us through these communications can never be fully estimated or appreciated. How often has the message of the Lord saved us in times of peril and confusion! Truly it has been as the still voice, saying, “This is the way,” when we in our human blindness would have gone astray. It has come in the way of counsel, instruction, encouragement, reproof,9warnings, and earnest admonitions. And all has come in the most opportune time; just when we would have taken a course that would have proved a personal injury to ourselves and a hindrance and detriment to the Lord's work. How often have we been saved from running into error, or from making moves that would have been subversive to the cause of God and our own best interests, the Lord alone knows. Personally, I am more grateful than words can express for the blessings and benefits received through this instrumentality; not only for personal messages, but also for the blessed instruction that has come to us through the numerous writings of Sister White. And is it not a matter of great astonishment that a gift so helpful, and so rich in blessing, should be the object of so much opposition, even from those who believe in the gifts of the Spirit of God? Still, such is the case; not only in this present generation, but also in times past. In the experience of Israel, it was Moses and Aaron, especially Moses, the very instrument that God was using to communicate his will and instruction to the people — yes, it was this very instrumentality that was blamed for the trouble that came upon them as a result of their own sins and murmurings. Not only were the common people guilty, but leading men, in high positions of trust, like Korah and those connected with him, men of renown, and famous in the congregation. The same was also the case in the time of the prophets. Take Jeremiah for example. He lived in the time of a great crisis in Israel. The people of God, on account of their backslidings and apostasy, were about to go into captivity, and Jerusalem was to be destroyed. The Lord sent most faithful warnings to kings and princes, priests and people, but instead of repenting of their sins and correcting their wrong-doings, they turned and persecuted the prophet, and rejected the Lord's message. All this is written for our benefit, and comes to us as an admonition, that we fail not, as they, because of unbelief. What has been called for in the past, and is still more needed in these last days of peril, is men like Caleb and Joshua, who wholly follow the Lord,—men of faith and courage,—men of abiding confidence in God,—men of discerning minds like Moses, who will count the reproach of Christ of greater value than the riches of Egypt,—men who can not be bribed by the flatteries of the evil one, nor discouraged by his threatenings; but who will be true to God, like the three worthies in the face of the burning oven, and like Daniel before the lions’ den. Through such men, now as then, the glory of God will be revealed, and the power of his salvation made known in all the earth. Ours is a peculiarly interesting and solemn time. Satan has declared war upon the remnant that keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. The last great battle is on, and the armies are marshaled for action. The foe is strong, but, thank God, there is no question as to the outcome. The Lion of the tribe of Judah has prevailed, and we are more than conquerors through him. Now is the time to stand firm in the faith, and quit ourselves like men. We can not afford to compromise a hair’s breadth. Everything that can be shaken will be shaken, that the things that can not be shaken may remain. The God that has led in this work from the very beginning is leading still, and he is leading on to victory. Never was there a time when every point of truth and the testimony of the Holy Spirit was so firmly established as at the present time. It is most wonderful how the things presented through the spirit of prophecy are being fulfilled both in the church and in the world. My soul is greatly refreshed by dwelling on God’s wonderful providence as worked out among this people. How greatly, yet how faithfully he has dealt with us! I repeat that never was the truth of the message more solidly entrenched, and the spirit of prophecy more strongly confirmed, and never was there a time when faith had a stronger foundation upon which to rest, than now. May the Lord help us all to stand with eyes anointed that we may see, and with faith like gold tried in the fire, and clothed in the robe of Christ’s righteousness, fortified against every device and deception of Satan and the world, ready for the coming and kingdom of our Lord and Redeemer, who is so soon to appear.