Pacific Union Recorder
1905
January 5, 1905
Co-operating with God
We may learn a precious lesson from the work of the farmer in cultivating his field. In order to reap a harvest, he must co-operate with God, the great Husbandman. His part is to prepare the ground and plant the seed, at the right time and in the right way. God gives the seed life. He sends the sunshine and the showers, and the seed springs up, “first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.” If the farmer fails to do his part, the sun may shine, the dew and the showers may fall upon the soil, but there will be no harvest. And though the work of planting had been done, unless God sent the sunshine and the dew and the rain, the seed would never, never spring up and grow. PUR January 5, 1905, par. 1
So, in the cultivation of the Christian graces, we must co-operate with God. His Word tells us to work out our own salvation; and it adds, “For it is God which worketh in you, both to will, and to do of [his] good pleasure.” We have a part to act, and, as we act this part, God will surely co-operate with us. PUR January 5, 1905, par. 2
Those who co-operate with God will constantly receive a new endowment of physical and mental power. The inexhaustible supplies of heaven are at their command. Christ gives them the breath of His own Spirit, the life of His own life. The Holy Spirit puts forth its highest energies to work in heart and mind. The grace of God enlarges and multiplies their faculties, and every perfection of the divine nature comes to their assistance in the work of saving souls. Through co-operation with Christ they are complete in Him, and in their human weakness they are enabled to do the deeds of Omnipotence. PUR January 5, 1905, par. 3
Much prayer is necessary to co-operation with God. Our faith must grasp the glorious fact that God hears and answers the prayers of every sincere seeker for help. As the believer bows in supplication before God, and in humility and contrition offers his petition from unfeigned lips, keeping his eyes fixed steadily on the Mediator of the new covenant, he loses all thought of self. His mind is filled with the thought of what he must have in order to build up a Christlike character. He prays, “Lord, if I am to be a channel through which Thy love is to flow day by day and hour by hour, I claim by faith the grace and power that Thou hast promised.” He fastens his hold firmly on the promise, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering.” PUR January 5, 1905, par. 4
How this dependence pleases the Master. How He delights to hear the steady, earnest pleading. How quickly the sincere, fervent prayer is recognized and honored. How intensely interested the heavenly angels are. “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister to them who shall be heirs of salvation?” With wonderful, ennobling grace the Lord sanctifies the humble petitioner, giving him power to perform the most difficult duties. All that is undertaken is done as unto the Lord, and this elevates and sanctifies the lowliest calling. It invests with new dignity every word, every act, and links the humblest worker, the poorest of God's servants, with the highest of the angels in the heavenly court. PUR January 5, 1905, par. 5
The salvation of human beings is a vast enterprise, that calls into action every attribute of the divine nature. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit have pledged themselves to make God's children more than conquerors through Him that loved them. The Lord is gracious and longsuffering, not willing that any should perish. He has provided power to enable us to be overcomers. PUR January 5, 1905, par. 6
How full of comfort and love are the words spoken by Christ to His disciples just before His trial and crucifixion. He was about to leave them, but He would not have them think that they were to be left helpless orphans. “It is expedient for you that I go away,” He said; “for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you. . . . He will guide you into all truth; for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak; and He will show you things to come. He shall glorify Me; for He shall receive of Mine, and shall show it unto you.” PUR January 5, 1905, par. 7
Ellen G. White