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Have Courage

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 2, 1873

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 42, No. 25.

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Have Courage.

By R. F. Cottrell

The rebukes and chastenings of the Lord are for our good, “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten.” It is better to be subjected to rebuke than to be given over. And when we seek the Lord, walking in the light given, it is our privilege to believe that God accepts. It is the motive, and not the greatness of the work, that constitutes its value in the sight of God. The mite with the pure motive is more than the rich gifts given to gain the admiration of men. Those who do what they can, have done as much as any one. The Lord is good, and compassionate, and loving. He desires our salvation, and he will save us, if we comply with his requirements, and thus make it possible. He stands at the door, because he desires to enter. And when we truly consecrate ourselves to do his will in all things, it is our privilege to believe and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
We have been far from God and have not realized our responsibilities, as those called to bear the light to the world. Now, while we pray for pardon and acceptance, we must act. The advancement of the cause of God demands our first and best efforts. Whereas the world has been first in our care, there must be a radical change. By the grace of God we can do what he requires; and he is ready to pardon and accept. Who will make the earnest and persevering effort? Those who will, may claim the rich promises. And will it not be enough to pay a thousand times all we are called upon to sacrifice? An eternity of joy unspeakable, instead of the blackness and darkness of the second death!
Let us crucify self and sin, become dead to the world, and alive to God. We need not fear that we shall be robbed of our reward. Our individual cases are in the hand of God. If we commit ourselves to him in well-doing, no one can pluck us out of his hand or deprive us of the reward he has pledged himself to give. The willing and obedient may rejoice in the Lord. “Again [says an apostle,] I say, Rejoice!” R. F. COTTRELL.