The Signs of the Times
September 5, 1900
“Ask, and It Shall Be Given You”
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you; for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” Christ knows that it is not possible for us to resist Satan's temptations in our own strength. We can do this only by receiving divine help. In our own strength we should surely fail. Provision has been made that in every emergency and trial we may flee to the stronghold. When in faith we ask for help, it will be given us. We have the assurance of this from lips that can not lie. His word is Yea and Amen. ST September 5, 1900, par. 1
Then let every weary, burdened soul ask, and he shall receive. Will not He who gave His beloved Son to die for us give us help in time of need? Let us not dishonor God by unbelief. Let us take Him at His word, remembering His promise. The blessing is ours if we grasp it by faith. Why should our Christian experience be weak and nerveless? Why should our souls be anxious? Why should we not venture out by faith on the promises given? ST September 5, 1900, par. 2
Christ says, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect;” and He has the power to make us perfect. But too often we forget this. Too often we forget to look to Christ. He is the Redeemer and Restorer, and those who call upon Him in faith will receive strength to overcome every wrong habit and practice. ST September 5, 1900, par. 3
Those who do not strive to bring the will into conformity to God's will can not be vessels unto honor. A defective character shows that the grace of God has not been allowed to work in the heart. Wrong habits are a constant hindrance to usefulness. Those who cherish them can not be Christians; for to be a Christian is to be Christlike. We must comply with the conditions laid down in God's Word. We must grasp in confidence the rich promises of God; then we shall be overcomers. ST September 5, 1900, par. 4
“Ye have not chosen Me,” Christ declares, “but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain; that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in My name, He may give it you.” Before we loved God, He loved us. Before we turned toward Him, His grace was making its impression on our hearts. He has bought us with a price, “the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot,” and He desires us to walk before Him in holiness, bearing fruit to His glory. ST September 5, 1900, par. 5
God will be to us all that we let Him be. But we must believe that we shall receive of Him the things He has promised. Languid, half-hearted, faithless prayers will bring no returns from heaven. We need to press our petitions to the throne of grace, asking in faith, waiting in faith, receiving in faith, rejoicing in hope; for every one that asketh receiveth. ST September 5, 1900, par. 6
Be in earnest in this matter. Seek God with all the heart. Men put earnestness and energy into temporal business. They know that if they do not, their efforts will not be crowned with success. With intense earnestness learn the science of seeking for the rich blessings promised in God's Word. Work with persevering effort, and you will receive light and truth and grace. These blessings are for all who serve God aright. We need to fear lest the promise being left us of victory through Christ, we should come short of it. ST September 5, 1900, par. 7
Christ is our example. His life was a life of prayer. Yes, Christ, the Son of God, equal with the Father, Himself all-sufficient, the storehouse of all blessings, He whose voice could rebuke disease, still the tempest, and call the dead to life, prayed with strong crying and many tears. He often spent whole nights in prayer. While the cities were hushed in slumber, angels listened to the pleadings of the Redeemer. See the Saviour bowed in prayer, His soul wrung with anguish. He is not praying for Himself, but for those whom He came to save. In the mountains of Galilee and in the groves of Olivet the Beloved of God prayed for sinners. Then He came forth to minister to them, His tongue touched anew with living fire. ST September 5, 1900, par. 8
Christ was the representative of the race. As our example He prayed to the Father for strength and grace. These prayers reach down to our time. He has identified Himself with us. Being tempted in all points like as we are, He is able to sympathize with those who are tempted. He bowed before His Father as a suppliant, obtaining strength from on high. By communion with God He was invigorated and refreshed for His work of helping those who were in need. Braced for duty and prepared for toil by intercession with the Father, He went forth to encourage and bless others. Those who are indeed friends of Christ will often commune with Him, having implicit faith that He will answer all the prayers offered in His name. ST September 5, 1900, par. 9
God permits a crisis to come now and then, that His children may go to Him. He sees and knows all things. He desires them to feel their helplessness, and to plead with Him, casting their helpless souls upon Him. Then they are ready to be taught. “Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you.” In the Saviour's presence God's people will have no fear of evil. The ever-varying perplexities, the abrupt and unexpected changes, of this age will not baffle or discourage them, but will give them fortitude and courage, bracing them for labor. ST September 5, 1900, par. 10
Christ declares, “Every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth.” This is a law of the divine government, a law sure and unfailing, establishing a connection between human and divine agencies. O, what a world of promises we have in the Word of God! To all who seek Him at the footstool of mercy Christ gives power to witness for Him. He has placed Himself under obligation never to disappoint a true seeker for the Holy Spirit's guidance. And to assure us of this He appeals to the love of earthly parents: “What man is there of you,” He asks, “whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask Him?” ST September 5, 1900, par. 11
Mrs. E. G. White