p. 151 | How are we able? by H. M. Van Slyke

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 25, 1871

How are we able?

By H. M. Van Slyke

Come.

“COME, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” Matt. 25:34. Gracious words of our Saviour—come, not go, ye. Christ, the glorious Shekinah leading the Israel of God, tells us to come and possess the kingdom. He has spied out the land, he tells us it is goodly, full of all precious things, a desirable place to dwell in. He has told us, too, that there are dangers by the way, that in our own weakness we cannot cope with our enemies; but he has also said to his followers, “Lo, I am with you alway; even unto the end of the world.”

Jesus is our rear-guard. In him is the light that shineth unto the perfect day. In his life upon earth, he is our great example, in his sufferings here, our consolation in trouble, and in his glorious victory over the power of the grave, our great incentive to press on in the straight and narrow path of self-denial. We need not be affrighted by the giants in our way, though beside them we seem as grasshoppers. Let us dread not, neither be afraid of them; for our Lord has promised to be with us. “Let us go up at once and possess it; for we are well able to over come it.” Num. 13:30.

How are we able?

And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, and said, “Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter the kingdom of Heaven. Let us be little children, trusting our Father's word, obeying his commands, learning of our Teacher, growing in grace and simplicity, and we shall not only be able to enter, but such shall be called greatest in the kingdom of Heaven.”

Brethren and sisters, are any of us discouraged by the coldness of friends, the scoffs and jeers of a deluded world, who have forgotten the commandments of God and changed his truth into a lie? If so, let us so humble ourselves beneath the mighty hand of God that we may find our true position as little children; then we shall fear not, neither be dismayed. The Lord shall establish thee an holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the Lord thy God, and walk in his ways. And all the people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the Lord, and they shall be afraid of thee.

H. M. VAN SLYKE.

Hamilton, Mo., April 11, 1871.