The Review and Herald
December 29, 1910
Words to Our Workers
“What things were gain to me,” Paul declares, “these have I counted loss for Christ. Yea verily, and I count all things to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but refuse, that I may gain Christ, and be found in him, not having a righteousness of mine own, even that which is of the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith: that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, becoming conformed unto his death; if by any means I may attain unto the resurrection from the dead.” RH December 29, 1910, par. 1
“I count not myself yet to have laid hold: but one thing I do, forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before, I press on toward the goal unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” RH December 29, 1910, par. 2
“This one thing I do.” Paul did many things. He was a wise teacher. His letters to the different churches are full of instructive lessons. He worked with his hands at his trade, in this way earning his daily bread. “These hands,” he said, “have ministered unto my necessities.” He carried a heavy burden for the churches, and sought earnestly to lead them in the right way. But Paul allowed nothing to divert him from the one ruling purpose of his life. In all its busy activities, he never lost sight of his one great purpose,—to press on toward the prize of his high calling. One aim he kept steadfastly before him,—to be faithful to Christ, who, when Paul was blaspheming his name, and using every power within his reach to make others blaspheme it, had revealed himself to him. The one great object of Paul's life was to serve him whose name had once filled him with contempt, to win souls to the Saviour. Jew and Gentile might oppose and persecute him, but nothing could turn Paul from his purpose. RH December 29, 1910, par. 3
My dear fellow workers, let the great purpose that constrained Paul to press forward in the face of hardship and difficulty lead you to consecrate yourselves wholly to God's service. Worldly attractions will be presented to draw your attention from the Lord Jesus; but laying aside every weight, and the sin that so easily besets, press on toward the heavenly goal, showing to the world, to angels, and to men that the hope of seeing the face of God is worth all the effort and the sacrifice that the attainment of the hope demands. RH December 29, 1910, par. 4
How to Solve Perplexing Problems
Into the daily life there come many perplexing problems that we can not solve. There are those who wish to adjust every difficulty, and to settle every question before they begin to work. Such will surely fail. In the end, the future will be just as indistinct, and the problems just as perplexing, as when they began to speculate about them. It is in following light given that we receive greater light. Those who go forward in faith will find the solution of the problems that perplex them. Light will shine on the pathway of the workers who go forward without questioning. God will go before them, giving them skill and understanding to do that which needs to be done. Having committed themselves to the work, and having asked wisdom from God, let them trust in him. They can not carry the burden of their responsibility alone. This Christ does not ask them to do. He will carry, not a part, but the whole of the weight of their burden; for he is a mighty Saviour. RH December 29, 1910, par. 5
Move, forward at the call of God. When he points out a work to be done, in his name and with full faith take up that work. You may not see the end from the beginning. Perplexities may surround you. Others may tell you of the lions in the way. But nevertheless go forward, saying, The Lord wants this work done, and I will act my part faithfully. I will not fail nor be discouraged. RH December 29, 1910, par. 6
At times the arm of faith seems too short even to touch the Saviour's garment, but there stands the promise, with God behind it: “Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity; and if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday: and the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of waters, whose waters fail not.” RH December 29, 1910, par. 7
It is not our efforts that bring victory; it is seeing God behind the promise, and believing and trusting him. Grasp by faith the hand of infinite power. The Lord is faithful who has promised. RH December 29, 1910, par. 8
Questions will arise that can not be settled by any amount of thinking. Do not spend time trying to settle them. Take up the work waiting to be done, trusting in God. His righteousness will go before you, and the questions that have troubled you will answer themselves. RH December 29, 1910, par. 9
The voice of duty is the voice of God,—an inborn, heaven-sent guide. Whether it be pleasing or unpleasing, we are to do the duty that lies directly in our pathway. If the Lord would have us bear a message to Nineveh, it will not be pleasing to him for us to go to Joppa or Capernaum. God has reasons for sending us to the place to which our feet are directed. There may be souls pleading with God for light in the very place to which God calls you,—souls to whom you can make plain the way of salvation. RH December 29, 1910, par. 10
Little Things
It is the little foxes that spoil the vines; the little neglects, the little deficiencies, the little dishonesties, the little departures from principle, that blind the soul and separate it from God. RH December 29, 1910, par. 11
It is the little things of life that develop the spirit and determine the character. Those who neglect the little things will not be prepared to endure severe tests when they are brought to bear upon them. Remember that the character building is not finished till life ends. Every day a good or a bad brick is placed in the structure. You are either building crookedly or with the exactness and correctness that will make a beautiful temple for God. Therefore, in looking for great things to do, neglect not the little opportunities that come to you day by day. He who neglects the little things, and yet flatters himself that he is ready to do wonderful things for the Master, is in danger of failing altogether. Life is made up, not of great sacrifices and wonderful achievements, but of little things. RH December 29, 1910, par. 12
(Concluded next week.)