It is Enough by M. D. A.

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 19, 1864

It is Enough.

By M. D. A.

"For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feelings of our infirmities; but in all points was tempted like as we are, yet without sin."

Were it not that some such declaration had been written for the child of God, and left upon record on the sacred page, how often some afflicted soul would have been wrecked in a maelstrom of temptation? Many a weak vessel and frail bark without this compass and anchor would have been stranded upon the shores of unbelief. But here again is the Christian mariner's lighthouse, guiding him through every danger, buoying him above every temptation, and beyond every sorrow; and here, beneath its cheering rays, may toiling hearts find refuge and peace, even a foretaste of that rest, to be given to all the weary and way-worn, who have so long been upon time's boundless ocean, waiting, to catch a glimpse of the heavenly land ahead. Then never despair. Is it not enough?

But how can it be? ponders the Christian as he enters some fiery ordeal—how can it be that he who had known the joy of Heaven and tasted its bliss, witnessed its glory, and experienced all its height of happiness, could feel the burden of temptation, as I who am so poor and weak, trembling and fearful, and so unacquainted with the heavenly clime? Did the dear Redeemer feel this crushing weight that bears me so low? But stop, doubting soul, think of the garden, the tears, and blood, the long night of pleading and anguish, of the forty days in the wilderness, weak and hungry, of the powers of darkness pressing down when hanging upon the dreadful cross, and not one to stand by him then. Oh it was at the blessed Saviour, that Satan hurled his most fiery darts, and yet all without sin.

The promise is real, and every trusting heart may come boldly to the throne of grace, and the despairing ones may see light and joy for them. Oh, is not this enough?

But here we experience earth's losses, bitter disappointments, blighted hopes, friends pass away, others prove untrue, the world greets us with scorn, and we realize that this is not our rest, and with all our burden of grief, we turn to Heaven for aid. Our great burden-bearer knows our wants, and we pour out before him our complaints. He listens, hears, and pities; and when it suits our case best, he lifts the load and gives us of his love and the comfort of his Holy Spirit. He comes in and sups with us and we with him. Oh then, had we no other heart to whom we could turn for sympathy, is it not enough that the dearest of all friends is ours and we are his? Could we but look clearly into some gospel mirror and see how afflictions and trials, disappointments and blighted hopes, serve to purify the heart, win the affections to God, and cause the image of the Redeemer to reflect itself in us more and more, we should oftener feel and pray.

"Subdued and instructed at length to thy will, My hopes and my longings I fain would resign; Oh, give me a heart that can wait and be still, Nor know of a wish or a pleasure but Thine."

But again, we think the way rough and dark, oh, how dark! and the desert sands are scorching to our weary feet, and yet we must press on. We look here and there for some earthly prop, but all in vain. We see now and then those whose way seems smooth to us. Ours seems hard. Life's hardships press us heavy, and we almost forget our Source of help. Like Peter to whom the Master predicted a martyr's death, we are ready to say "Lord and what shall this man do?" The response comes back, "What is that to thee? follow thou me." Then the promise, "As thy day, thy strength shall be," and as thy work so thy reward; and that will be enough.

Oh, then, the Christian's path is not all thorns, and were it all flowers he would never realize the worth of his heavenly home. There his feet will never press the burning sand, nor his flesh feel the pricking thorn, nor his heart be thrust with Satan's sharpened arrows. No, and it is enough that we may here prepare for that glorious home. Now the waves of temptation may roll like liquid mountains around us, yet there is always ground to anchor. Securely may we confide in our faithful Captain until our work is done; and as one, a humble tried one, once remarked "What if we do receive blows? why there will be a reward." Such a reward! Then every little act for Christ's sake will make up the great sum. Not mighty deeds, but every prayer of faith to God, every sympathizing tear, every worthy word spoken in season, every cup of water to His followers, every worthy example, all, ALL will tell in the final reward.

And if our names be found in the Lamb's book of life, and a crown of life await us at Christ's appearing, and we be found among that sinless throng who meet Jesus and his attending angels in the air, oh, then will it not be enough, yea far outweigh with an exceeding and eternal weight of glory all our sufferings here? Blessed hope!

Then will blend each heart and tongue, And join in angel strains the song Glory and praise to God most high, Who gave his Son for man to die! And as each heart, tuned to the lay, Repeats the chorus night and day, All Heaven with loftiest music rings, Of glory to the King of kings. M. D. A.