Ought We to Be Discouraged?
By G. C. T.
Perhaps there is nothing which so hinders many of us from making progress in the work of preparation in which we are engaged as discouragement. This may come from various causes; but I wish to mention more particularly that which arises from a sense of our faults, and our condition in the light of justice. We often hear such expressions as, “I never can be saved on account of my sins,” or, “The way is so narrow and I am so sinful that I have but little hope of salvation,” and similar expressions. Now I have an idea that such feelings have a great deal to do with our progress in this great work. In the first place, do we not sin by distrusting God’s word? He desires that we should be saved. Who can doubt this when we think of all that has been done for us in the sacrifice of his dear Son, in the promises of his word, and the way in which he is leading us? Then let us reason. If the Lord has done so much for us in providing a way of escape from death, and bringing us to the light of truth, and is now showing us what is contrary to his will, is it not good evidence that he desires us to be saved? and if so, then they that are for us are more than all that can be against us. Let us pray that our eyes may be opened as were the eyes of Elisha’s servant, that we may see that the angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. Yes, the Lord wants to save us. For this he called us out from the world into the blessed truth. Let us thank him for a knowledge of our sins; and in the strength of the Lord, let us try to get rid of them all, believing that we can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth us. G. C. T.