p. 7 | Hearing the Law by P. C. Rodman

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 21, 1870

Hearing the Law.

By P. C. Rodman

“He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be an abomination.” Prov. 28: 9. In this scripture the importance of keeping God’s commandments is clearly taught; and unless we will do them, our life, even if a life of prayer, is not acceptable to God, no matter how earnest we may be, nor how fervently we make our petitions. The Lord will not regard our prayer unless we will obey him. If I regard iniquity in my heart the Lord will not hear me. Ps. 66: 18. We may hope our prayer is acceptable, as did the blind Pharisees, who, for the praise of men, and to gratify their covetousness, sought a public place to pray, and urge their traditions upon men. To obey these, they would break the commandment of God. But unless we will keep his commandments, the words of Jesus as really apply to us: Ye hypocrites! well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoreth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrine the commandments of men. Matt. 15: 7–9.

Said Jesus, Blessed are the pure in heart. If there is opposition in our hearts to the perfect law of God we may be assured that all is not right, and we should seek earnestly the renewings of God’s Spirit that we may be right, yielding, cheerful obedience to that law whose commandments are righteous altogether, standing fast forever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness. Ps. 19: 9; 111: 8. Then our prayers for help will be acceptable to him who will give grace to help in time of need. Yes, if we ask we shall receive; for Jesus has said that if we believe we receive the things we ask for, we shall have them. How ready we are to help our children in the path of obedience to our counsel; and will not He who gave his Son to die for us, give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him, when they want it to enable them to love and delight to keep his holy Law? We believe he will; for no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. Then may our prayers ascend from loyal hearts that will keep the commandments, having more regard for God’s law and his honor, than for all the traditions of men or approbation of friends. Our friends may be wrong; but God’s law is the truth. Ps. 119: 142. They may be in the dark, though they are talented and learned. Matt. 11: 25, 26. May we be found among those who have ears to hear, receiving with meekness, and obeying with delight, God’s perfect law. Then will our prayers be acceptable, and if we endure to the end, it will be said to us, Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. Matt. 25: 34.

P. C. Rodman.

New Ipswich, N. H.