HIS STRENGTH by J. Louisa Ireland

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Mar 26, 1902

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 28, No. 13.

HIS STRENGTH.

By J. Louisa Ireland

GOD is our refuge and strength.” In His Word the Lord is constantly calling our attention to His strength. He would have us understand in a measure His ability to do and bear; His capacity for exertion or endurance; His power to resist force; His firmness and unchangeableness.

“El Capitan” in the Yosemite Valley. It rises 3,300 feet from the floor of the Valley, more than three times as tall as the Eiffel tower, the highest structure built by man.

Everywhere in nature we see manifestations of a power far beyond our comprehension. We have contented ourselves by calling it the law of nature, and passing on, failing to recognize the presence of the omnipotent One. Yet He is in every place, ready to reveal Himself to any one who desires to become acquainted with Him.

“Canst thou by searching find out God?” This question of ancient times may be answered in part. Only by searching can we find out God; yet when every moment is crowded full of His knowledge, our greatest perceptions of Him are as a drop in the ocean of infinite knowledge beyond.

Of all the things in nature which reveal His strength, the lofty mountains excel. The grass, the shrubs, the goodly trees that have withstood for years the blasts of storm and wind, are laid low by the strength of man. Even the rocks are crushed, and their testimony of endurance overcome by the operations of man. But the everlasting mountains and the perpetual hills stand as monuments of strength which man can not tear down nor destroy. So familiar are their declarations of power, we speak of great overwhelming difficulties being as mountains before us.

Who gave to the mountains their strength? and why are they set in all portions of the earth? These are the silent witnesses of the strength of our God. These are the tangible demonstrations of His power, given for His children, that they may grasp the idea of a force greater than that manifest by the mountains. These are a measure only of an immeasurable power.

“His strength setteth fast the mountains.” How sure they stand! How restful their constancy! How pleasing to frail, changeable, failing mortals is their testimony of stability, firmness, and never-failing endurance! No power can move them, save that of Him who set them fast. Before His presence the mountains quake and tremble.

The God whom these mountains reveal is the One who has put forth His mighty arm to save you from your sins. Do they speak to you of ability to do and bear? Know that in this God is even greater. Do they testify of a capacity for exertion or endurance? Let them reveal to you Him who is from “everlasting to everlasting.” Do they present to your view a mighty power in resisting force? Let them convince you of the ability of God to save you tho all the hosts of darkness are against you. Is it their firmness and fixedness that appeals to your heart? Let these whisper to you of Him who is “the same yesterday, to-day, and forever;” who is merciful, gracious, long-suffering, not willing that any should perish.

The existence of these mountains rests entirely upon the word of God. They are upheld “by the word of His power.” “If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place, and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.” Having faith as a grain of mustard seed is simply believing God, taking Him at His word, resting yourself entirely on that word. As the great mountains are upheld by His word, so will that word uphold you. It can not fail. By believing God, the power brought into your life is even greater than that manifest in the mountains; for it can remove mountains, “and nothing shall be impossible unto you.”

This knowledge of the strength of God is within the reach of every one. Whosoever will have it, may have it; may experience it in his daily life. This is the power that will transform the lover of sin into the lover of righteousness. This is the force that will subdue all the iniquities in the heart. This is the power that delivers from the power of sin. This is the power hidden in every word which God has given to us.

Within the reach of all, yet how few avail themselves of it! How few are willing to let this power come into their lives! How few realize their need of it sufficiently to open their Bibles, and partake of the strength God has therein provided for them!

This is the power that will translate you into God’s eternal kingdom. Would you be there?

“Acquaint now thyself with Him, and be at peace; thereby good shall come unto thee.”

J. LOUISA IRELAND.