M. A. BAHLER by M. A. Bahler

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 3, 1871

M. A. BAHLER

By M. A. Bahler

Overcomers.

It is a fact that there will be a company of poor, weak mortals, like ourselves, who will be fitted to stand amid the dread terrors of that day when the powers of the heavens will be shaken, with eyes fixed upon the great white cloud, with solemn joy filling their hearts, knowing that the time of their deliverance has come.

Yes, it is a fact that there will be a little company then, who, having contended with the world, the flesh, and the devil, have come off conquerors through the strength of Him who sits upon that glorious cloud, and whom they now hail as their King. They were weak like you and me. They met just such vexations and trials as we meet; but they looked above for strength, and now they are conquerors.

Alas! we too often trust in our own strength, and this is why we fail, and are overcome instead of being overcomers. They yielded sometimes, it is true; but, oh! how quickly came heart pangs, tears, and hearty confession; and opposite their names the recording angel has written, Pardon. Or, perhaps, conviction of sin came not so quickly; perhaps the heart was dull, almost callous, and when conviction did come, pride stood up so stiffly that it was a long, severe struggle before confession was made; still it was made at length, and with the whole heart, and they, too, are victors.

Dear reader, it is your privilege and mine to stand with that company. We may be overcomers. We have the promise, “My grace is sufficient.” The trouble is, we do not seek that grace as we should. Too often we arise in the morning and enter upon our daily duties without first seeking our heavenly Father’s blessing, and asking him for grace to help us meet the little vexations of the day. Or it may be that we do ask with our lips, but not with our heart. In either case it is like going to the battle-field unarmed, without defense or weapons. We can not go far without being wounded. One hour of the day will scarce have passed ere we have been overcome in some way. Impatient words are spoken, and we begin to realize that we are shorn of our strength.

“My grace is sufficient.” Oh, yes! sufficient for all times, for all things; and He who has thus said will not turn us empty away. Have we not proved him? Is not his word sure? When we, feeling our need, have sought his help, how smoothly the day has passed! We scarcely felt the sarcastic words that were spoken. The sea of our domestic life was scarce disturbed by a ripple. Peace was in our hearts, love welled up like an overflowing fountain, and the cares of life came not between us and our God.

Dear reader, have you not known such days as this? days when you felt that you could rejoice evermore, and your heart was continually going out in prayer to God? And did you not begin that day with earnestly seeking God’s grace? Oh! let us begin the days aright. It is so much easier getting through them aright. The overcomers will not be those who have been overcome all the way up to the last. The time for us to begin to overcome is now, and we may be overcomers. Our own course will decide. Oh, solemn thought! and soon there will be no more mercy.