The Faith I Live By

“Fear Thou Not ... I Am With Thee,” October 15

Truths That Stand Out

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. Isaiah 41:10. FLB 294.1

It was not long after the passing of the time in 1844 that my first vision was given me. I was visiting a dear sister in Christ, whose heart was knit with mine; five of us, all women, were kneeling quietly at the family altar. While we were praying, the power of God came upon me as I had never felt it before. I seemed to be surrounded with light, and to be rising higher and higher from the earth. I turned to look for the Advent people in the world, but could not find them, when a voice said to me: “Look again, and look a little higher.” At this I raised my eyes and saw a straight and narrow path, cast up high above the world. On this path the Advent people were traveling toward the city.... FLB 294.2

I related this vision to the believers ..., who had full confidence that it was from God. The Spirit of the Lord attended the testimony, and the solemnity of eternity rested upon us. An unspeakable awe filled me, that I, so young and feeble, should be chosen as the instrument by which God would give light to His people.... FLB 294.3

In a second vision, which soon followed the first, I was shown the trials through which I must pass, and that it was my duty to go and relate to others what God had revealed to me.... FLB 294.4

I prayed earnestly for several days, and far into the night, that this burden might be removed from me and laid upon someone more capable of bearing it. But the light of duty did not change.^{61Testimonies for the Church 1:58-62.} FLB 294.5

My Saviour declared me to be His messenger. “Your work,” He instructed me, “is to bear My word.... My Spirit and My power shall be with you.... It is the Lord that giveth the messages.” ^{62Selected Messages 1:32.} FLB 294.6

I do not write ... expressing merely my own ideas. They are what God has opened before me in vision—the precious rays of light shining from the throne.^{63Testimonies for the Church 5:67.} FLB 294.7