The Signs of the Times
August 28, 1901
Words of Cheer
And he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. And the Lord said unto Satan, The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan; even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire? Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel.” ST August 28, 1901, par. 1
Joshua represents the people of God. When Satan accused him, the Lord rebuked him, and spoke to those who stood before him, saying, “Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment. And I said, Let them set a fair miter upon his head. So they set a fair miter upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And the angels of the Lord stood by.” ST August 28, 1901, par. 2
Satan endeavors to bring reproach upon those who are trying to serve and honor God. He presents them in a questionable light, as those who are clothed with filthy garments. But God says, “Take away the filthy garments. You have no right to put them upon my people. Take them away. My people may have imperfections of character; they may fail in their endeavors; but if they repent, I will forgive them.” ST August 28, 1901, par. 3
The word of assurance is given to all who have faith in God. Receive this wonderful promise. It is not a human being who is speaking: “Thus saith the Lord of hosts, If thou wilt walk in My ways, and if thou wilt keep My charge, then thou shalt also judge My house, and shalt also keep My courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by.” ST August 28, 1901, par. 4
Among those who stand by,—the hosts of the enemy, who are trying to bring God's people into disrepute, and the hosts of heaven, ten thousand times ten thousand angels, who watch over and guard the tempted people of God, uplifting and strengthening them. These are they who stand by. And God says to His believing ones, You shall walk among them. You shall not be overcome by the powers of darkness. You shall stand before Me in the sight of the holy angels, who are sent forth to minister to those who shall be heirs of salvation. ST August 28, 1901, par. 5
God loves His believing people, and He has placed their feet in a safe and sure path. He has caused them to sit in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. This He has done, not because of their goodness and worthiness, but because of the free promptings of His grace, because He is rich in mercy, because of the great love wherewith He loves them. He has delivered them from the power of darkness, and has translated them into the kingdom of His dear Son. He is very desirous that they shall perfect characters which will enable them to stand before Him, purified and made white. ST August 28, 1901, par. 6
But let them not suppose that the pathway to heaven will be always smooth, that no temptations will come. Peculiar difficulties will arise, which will test their faith, tax their patience, and try their steadfastness. Face the difficulties bravely. Be men and women of unswerving principle. Remember that Christ has said, “Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” The battle is before you, but you are not called upon to fight alone. Christ and the angels are with you. Perseverance is service, willing obedience to God's way, will win for you a crown of life. Then cast off the works of darkness, and put on the armor of God. ST August 28, 1901, par. 7
“Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.” ST August 28, 1901, par. 8
Unbelief is repulsive, dark, forbidding. It can only deny and destroy. Faith lifts the head in conscious dignity and firm trust in God. True workers walk and work by faith. Sometimes they grow weary with watching the slow advancement of the work, when the battle wages strong between the powers of good and evil. But if they refuse to fail or be discouraged, they will see the clouds breaking away and the promise of deliverance fulfilling. Through the mist which Satan has thrown across their pathway, they will see the shining of the bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness. The glory of the Lord is to fill the whole earth. ST August 28, 1901, par. 9
Have faith in God. When you make mistakes, turn your defeats into victories. Your love and fidelity will be tested by difficulty, disappointment, and trial. These your faith must overcome. The burden you bear for Christ's sake, the service you render in the complete surrender of your will to God,—this is the measure of your love for Him. There is fulness for you in Christ. Come to the water of life and drink. Do not stay away and complain of thirst. The water of life is free to all. Spend much time on your knees in prayer. Believe that God hears your prayers, and you will see of His salvation. ST August 28, 1901, par. 10
If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? ... Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? ... Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” ST August 28, 1901, par. 11
Mrs. E. G. White