TRUST IN THE LORD by C. H. Edwards

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Feb 20, 1893

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 19, No. 16.

TRUST IN THE LORD.

By C. H. Edwards

BY C. H. EDWARDS.

DEAR READER: In your Christian experience do you ever have times of discouragement—times when the cares of life roll over you, till it almost seems as though you would be buried beneath their weight? Does it seem as though one more such billow would forever engulf you? Does the pathway before you seem dark, and the truth, which you have seen shine so brightly, look less glorious than before? In the distress and anguish of your souls do you ask, "Is this the freedom Jesus gives? Is this the 'path' that 'shines more and more unto the perfect day?'" Do you stop and wonder why your pathway is so dark? Do you yearn for the light and liberty of the children of God? Are you asking how this may be obtained? If so, your loving Father, who stands all the day long with outstretched arms to you, sends you this counsel: "Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God." Isa. 50:10.

When you hear of others shouting the praises of God, and rejoicing in his love, and trying to tell of that "peace which passeth all understanding," which is theirs, do you wonder why this peace is theirs? Would you have it yourself? Then this promise is yours: "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee; because he trusteth in thee." Isa. 26:3. Do you still ask, "How long may I have this peace?" Dear soul, it is yours forever, for the next verse says, "Trust ye in the Lord forever; for in the Lord Jehovah is the Rock of Ages" (margin).

As you contemplate the spotless righteousness of Jesus, do you long to know how this may be brought out in your life? Still your Father tells you: "Roll thy way upon the Lord [margin]; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday." Ps. 37:5, 6.

When others become discouraged, and turn from the Lord, and wander away, would you be kept from this? Would you be firm, and true to God? Then accept this promise as your own: "They that trust in the Lord shall be as Mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth forever." Ps. 125:1.

At times when you are weary and lonely, are you ever led to say, "I am so poor and unworthy the Lord does not know me"? Say it no more, for he says, "The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him." Nahum 1:7.

Do you ever, as you look forward to the time of trouble, wonder if you will be able to stand? Do you become fearful, and shrink from these things? Then let us say, "Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid; for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also has become my salvation" (Isa. 12:2); for here is his precious promise: "But the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord; he is their strength in the time of trouble. And the Lord shall help them, and deliver them; he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him." Psa. 37:39, 40.

Then can you not exclaim, "Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!" Ps. 31:19. "The Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth."

Walker, Mass.