Wrestling with God--how few know what it is ! How few have ever had their souls drawn out after God with intensity of desire until every power is on the stretch . When waves of despair which no language can express sweep over the suppliant , how few cling with unyielding faith to the promises of God . Those who exercise but little faith now , are in the greatest danger of falling under the power of satanic delusions and the decree to compel the conscience . And even if they endure the test they will be plunged into deeper distress and anguish in the time of trouble , because they have never made it a habit to trust in God . The lessons of faith which they have neglected they will be forced to learn under a terrible pressure of discouragement .
We should now acquaint ourselves with God by proving His promises . Angels record every prayer that is earnest and sincere . We should rather dispense with selfish gratifications than neglect communion with God . The deepest poverty , the greatest self-denial , with His approval , is better than riches , honors , ease , and friendship without it . We must take time to pray . If we allow our minds to be absorbed by worldly interests , the Lord may give us time by removing from us our idols of gold , of houses , or of fertile lands .
The young would not be seduced into sin if they would refuse to enter any path save that upon which they could ask God ' s blessing . If the messengers who bear the last solemn warning to the world would pray for the blessing of God , not in a cold , listless , lazy manner , but fervently and in faith , as did Jacob , they would find many places where they could say : " I have seen God face to face , and my life is preserved ." Genesis 32:30 . They would be accounted of heaven as princes , having power to prevail with God and with men .
The " time of trouble , such as never was ," is soon to open upon us ; and we shall need an experience which we do not now possess and which many are too indolent to obtain . It is often the case that trouble is greater in anticipation than in reality ; but this is not true of the crisis before us . The most vivid presentation cannot reach the magnitude of the ordeal . In that time of trial , every soul must stand for himself before God . " Though Noah , Daniel , and Job " were in the land , " as I live , saith the Lord God , they shall deliver neither son nor daughter ; they shall but deliver their own souls by their righteousness ." Ezekiel 14:20 .
Now , while our great High Priest is making the atonement for us , we should seek to become perfect in Christ . Not even by a thought could our Saviour be brought to yield to the power of temptation . Satan finds in human hearts some point where he can gain a foothold ; some sinful desire is cherished , by means of which his temptations assert their power . But Christ declared of Himself : " The prince of this world cometh , and hath nothing in Me ." John
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