WE FAINT NOT by Mrs. Leslie M. Carlisle

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 24, 1877

“WE FAINT NOT.”

By Mrs. Leslie M. Carlisle

“For which cause we faint not, but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.” How great is our happiness to know that though our bodies are becoming weaker and more diseased, our spiritual life is growing strong in the Lord. What is there to prevent our souls from being filled with unutterable gladness when we have such a compassionate Saviour to love and care for us, and who will if we are faithful, give us a crown of never-fading glory, and eternal life? I do not come to him because I am sinless, but because I am covered with infirmities and filled with transgressions. And I realize my great weakness and need of his divine presence continually. I want to feel drawn out to him in trust and love, and I desire to live so near him that I can feel his sweet peace in my heart every moment. I want an overcoming faith that can smile at the present trials and discomforts of life.

Jesus says, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” How important that we have Jesus abide in us that we may ever recognize his voice! How can we doubt God’s love for us? “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life.” “He laid down his life for the sheep.” He knoweth his own, and if one strays from the fold, how quickly he seeks out the wandering one, and brings it safely within the fold again! And why should we not have the spirit of our blessed Master, and instead of sitting with folded hands, seek out the straying ones and strive with all our hearts to bring them back to Jesus?

Time is speeding us onward, and what is done must be done quickly. We are fast nearing that blessed city “whose builder and maker is God.”

It seemeth not so far away, As it shines to our eyes through faith by day, And e’en by night It glimmers with a soft and dazzling light.

It speaks to our hearts of peace and love; It tells of Christ, who dwelleth above. And our Father dear, And angels too. Why need we fear?

Yea, yea, praise God, we are almost there. Let us trust, have faith, and never despair. Blest world to come, In which, thank God, shall be our home.

Let us never grow weary of God’s work, but lean hard upon the strong arm of the Lord, and he will sustain us, that we faint not by the way.

MRS. LESLIE M. CARLISLE.

West Randolph, Vermont.