We Must not Despair by John Nevins Andrews

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 27, 1874

We Must not Despair.

By John Nevins Andrews

We are never, while our probation lasts, justified in despairing of God's mercy. It is very true that we have no right to expect the approval of the Lord while we are living in disobedience to his precepts.

But, inasmuch as it is in our power to cease to do evil and learn to do well, and as he commands us to do this, let us attend to this very thing rather than to giving ourselves to gloom and to despair. There is hope in God for us if we will only put away our sins and seek him with all our hearts. And indeed, if we will not do this, it will be our own fault beyond all excuse if we are lost.

Seeking God with true repentance and with active zeal is far better than sitting down in sullen gloom and despair. Let us hope in God and manifest that hope by true repentance and by faithful obedience. J. N. A.