Communion with God by G. W. Amadon

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 28, 1871

Communion with God.

By G. W. Amadon

DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: It is the will of our Heavenly Father that we should have a large measure of his love in our hearts—not occasionally, or by spells, but daily, continually. The enemy may suggest that we cannot have the blessed witness of the Spirit at all times, and thus lead us to live much of the time under a cloud, without the heavenly assurance of the Spirit in the soul. But the arch-deceiver never laid a more artful snare for the heirs of life than this. It is the blessed privilege of the sons of adoption to claim the token of their heirship, the gift of the Holy Spirit, the blessing of God.

For one, I am heartily sick of slavery, bondage, and death. I long for the time when Zion shall “arise and shine,” when there will be such a taking hold of God’s covenant, and such a conscientious performance of duty, that the rich, melting blessing of the Lord will rest upon us as a people.

There never has been a time, during the six thousand years’ experience of the church, when Satan worked as now. And his efforts to lull to sleep, to lead us to indulge in carnal security, and to be content with an empty cup when we might have a full one—brimful of God’s blessing—were never so powerful as to-day. He has not only “come down in wrath,” but he has “come in like a flood.”

Truly, these are times that try men’s souls. As a people, we are being brought into strait places, and woe to that poor soul that loses his bearings, slips his hold from above, and is not daily nourished with the salvation of God. Spirits of devils mutter and peep; but, as the prophet says, “should not a people seek unto their God?” We certainly should seek God as never before, for the strongest are in danger of being lulled to sleep. And woe, thrice woe, to the thoughtless one who gets stupid, or careless and easy, in these awful last days of peril. “Iniquity abounds,” and as a consequence, the love of many waxes cold. What assurance have we against this general defection? None except that we “draw nigh to God,” that he may draw nigh to us. Then, like faithful Enoch, may we walk with God. We must have the assurance daily, as Job says, that our “record is on high,” and be able always, with that great example of patience, to testify, “I know that my Redeemer liveth.”

We are nearing home, dear brethren; but perils increase, dangers threaten. And never, for an instant, should the weary watcher forget himself and trust to the fortunes of the hour to protect him. We are “preserved IN JESUS CHRIST.” Continual watching unto prayer, and a most humble reliance on the Lord of hosts, is our only safety. But we may so watch, so trust and pray, that we may stand; yes, as the apostle says, having done all—all that we can—STAND. Praise the Lord for such assurance! For one, I accept the terms, and go forward. G. W. AMADON.