p. 154 | Trust in God by M. E. Piper

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 30, 1872

Trust in God.

By M. E. Piper

“THE Lord knoweth them that are his, and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.”

This is a comforting thought to the child of God when pressed down by a weight of discouragement that, for a time, seems sufficient to crush him. Is the spirit lifeless, dead? Has hope ceased to inspire, and faith forgotten to work? Surely, Satan would love to have it so. But now is the time to trust, not to yield to despair. Look up, believe, have faith; have it to yourself before God. Have you done all that you could do, and now are you powerless, cast down, because you have encountered some of Satan’s malicious designs? Let this comfort you, “None of them that trust in Him shall be desolate.” Look up, though the heart is crushed, and the terrible weight seems greater than any previous one has ever been, and force yourself to say, whether you feel it or not, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him.” Depend upon it, you will not have repeated these words of Job a great many times in your anguish of soul, ere you will find faith is kindling anew in your heart, and doubts will begin to vanish, and unbelief disappear, to make room for the sweet assurance of peace that the Lord has promised to those who put their confidence in him.

Yes, “He knoweth them that are his.” He remembereth our frame, that we are mortal, subject to the infirmities of the flesh; he pities our weakness, he does not deal with us harshly, as we may suppose, but in love for us, probes every wound, discovers every secret sin, and waits to be gracious, to heal with a soothing balm when we are ready to receive it. Oh! shall we lightly esteem the great love of God toward us? Shall we rebel, complain, and lay down our arms, and give the enemy a chance to work? Not so; we will trust and cling to the mighty One, who cannot fail us even in the darkest hour.

And whoever trusted in the living God, that did not receive his blessing? Then how full is the sunshine of his favor! As the springtime comes to gladden our hearts after the long, cold winter is past; so, and much greater, is the rejoicing of that soul who made God his confidence in times of distress. How the heart will swell, the tears burst afresh, and the whole frame quiver, at the remembrance of the narrow escape from the slough of Despond, while the song of thanksgiving arises to give glory and honor and praise unto Him who loved us and redeemed us by his precious blood. As the child safe in its own dear home recounts amid smiles and tears of joy its recent escape from danger, so does the child of God love to praise and magnify the power that has saved him in a perilous hour. Be this my language ever:

“The cross of Christ I’ll cherish, Its crucifixion bear. All hail, reproach, or sorrow, If Jesus leads me there.”

M. E. PIPER.