The Signs of the Times
September 29, 1898
“Give Unto the Lord the Glory Due Unto His Name”
Many and abundant are the promises of God to all who will be obedient to His commandments. All who have faith in Christ obtain a rich experience in His goodness and love, a goodness which is of more value than gold. It is a goodness that has been recognized in times of great necessity. Then let not any of God's chosen ones suffer their faith to fail at the time when they should reveal the inward power of the Christian's hope. Every soul will be tested and tried, but God has made provision that at such times His grace shall be abundantly supplied. When His people look to Him, and call upon His name, He will hear their cry, and say, “Here I Am.” He declares: ST September 29, 1898, par. 1
“Fear thou not; for I am with thee; be not dismayed; for I am thy God; I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness. Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded; they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish. Thou shalt seek them, and shalt not find them, even them that contended with thee; they that war against thee shall be as nothing, and as a thing of nought. For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.... When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the Lord will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them. I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys; I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water. I will plant in the wilderness the cedar, the shittah tree, and the myrtle, and the oil tree; I will set in the desert the fir tree, and the pine, and the box tree together; that they may see, and know, and consider, and understand together, that the hand of the Lord hath done this, and the Holy One of Israel hath created it.” ST September 29, 1898, par. 2
We do not honor God if, when oppressed and afflicted, we doubt His goodness, if we cherish sadness, and mourn and repine. We dishonor God when we permit our souls to be cast down. Even when in trouble our faith should not fail. None need to feel that God has forsaken them. There should be no expressions of unbelief; for unbelief, when cherished, shuts from us the richest manifestations of the grace of God. Our lack of faith keeps from us the working of the Holy Spirit. On the part of those who are chosen of God to be His people and His representatives, it is a grievous mistake to dwell upon trying experiences, as tho the Way, the Truth, and the Life were a disagreeable companion. This pleases and glorifies the enemy, and reveals to the world that they do not recognize in Jesus a very present help in time of need. ST September 29, 1898, par. 3
It is our duty to be jealous for the glory of God, and bring no evil report even by the sadness of the countenance, or by ill-advised words, as tho the requirements of God were a restriction upon our liberty. The whole person is privileged to bear a decided testimony in every line,—in features, in temper, in words, in character,—that the service of the Lord is good. Thus we may proclaim, “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul.” Our words should be positive on the side of the Lord. “Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord. Blessed are they that keep His testimonies, and that seek Him with the whole heart. They also do no iniquity; they walk in His ways.... I will praise Thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned Thy righteous judgments.” “I will run the way of Thy commandments, when Thou shalt enlarge my heart.” “O how love I Thy law! it is my meditation all the day. Thou through Thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies; for they are ever with me.” ST September 29, 1898, par. 4
When farmers seek to recommend their products, they do not exhibit the poorest specimens. The women bring in their best lumps of golden butter. The men bring the best fruit and vegetables of every kind, and their appearance does the skilful workers credit. No dwarfed specimens, but the very choicest that the land can produce, are brought. And why should not Christians reveal the most attractive fruit in unselfish actions? Why should not the fruit of the commandment-keeping people of God appear in good works? Their words, their deportment, their dress, should be as fruit of the very best quality. “Ye shall know them by their fruits.” Christ said, “Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree can not bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” ST September 29, 1898, par. 5
God loves His commandment-keeping people. Through their obedience they give honor to His holy name, testifying of their love for Him. But are they doing this? The men of the world who hear the sacred truths of the Word of God, are surprised that the people professing to believe these high and holy truths have not a more intense and earnest zeal to work for the salvation of their fellow-beings. Our faith and intensity of zeal should be proportionate to the great light which shines upon our pathway. Faith, humble, trusting faith in God, will reveal itself in the home, in the neighborhood, in the church. The Holy Spirit's working will not, can not, be hindered. God delights to manifest Himself to His people as a Father, as a God in whom they can trust implicitly. Let the church-members have the precious traits of the character of Christ, and there will be much more said in praise and thanksgiving to God for the treasure of His grace. And the more we reveal to others the power of an indwelling Saviour, the more of His power will be revealed to us. Mark how full and complete is the provision made for all who accept it: ST September 29, 1898, par. 6
“Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, tho now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations; that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, tho it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.” ST September 29, 1898, par. 7
In faith and richness of experience we fall far below our privilege as Christians. God designs that no worthless, cheap words shall proceed from our lips. He requires that the fruit of the lips shall be sanctified. “Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind,” says the apostle, “be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance; but as He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” “And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear; forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” ST September 29, 1898, par. 8
The bright and cheerful side of our religion will be represented by all who are daily consecrated to God. They will express their gratitude to God in bringing Him their thank-offerings. We do not want to dishonor God by the mournful relation of trials that appear grievous. Trials are Christ's workmen to perfect in us the Christian graces, and these tests are not to sink the believer's faith, but raise it equal to the occasion, that unto all it may appear more precious than gold that perisheth, tho it be tried by fire. Every trial is designed to exalt the truth to a higher appreciation, that praise to God alone may be upon the lips of the true disciple. And the growth in grace is to the honor and glory of God at the appearing of Jesus Christ, “whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, tho now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory; receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.” ST September 29, 1898, par. 9
All trials that are received as educators will produce joy. The whole religious life will be uplifting, elevating, ennobling, fragrant with good words and works. The enemy is well pleased to have souls complaining and stumbling. He is pleased to see them depressed, downcast, and mourning; but God designs that the mind shall take no low level. The psalmist says: “Give unto the Lord, O ye mighty, give unto the Lord glory and strength. Give unto the Lord the glory due unto His name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.” “I will extol Thee, O Lord; for Thou hast lifted me up, and hast not made my foes to rejoice over me. O Lord my God, I cried unto Thee, and Thou hast healed me.... Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints of His, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holiness.” ST September 29, 1898, par. 10
“I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the Lord; the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together. I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. They looked unto Him, and were lightened; and their faces were not ashamed. This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them. O taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man that trusteth in Him.” ST September 29, 1898, par. 11
Mrs. E. G. White