By Camron Schofield, Audio: mp3

To each one of us the voice of Jesus comes. Come unto me and rest, lay down thou weary one, lay down thy head upon my breast.

Have you come to Jesus weary, worn and sad? Have you found in Him a resting place and has He made you glad? To each one of us the voice of Jesus comes:

‘I am this dark world’s light. Look unto me, thy morn shall rise and all thy days be bright.’

Have you looked to Jesus? Have you found him to be your star, your sun as you walk in that light of life? Or has that light gone out? Are you afraid of the dark? Do you look under the bed when you go to sleep as you when you were a child? Do you quickly open the cupboards or sneak a peep behind the door just to make sure there is no one there? Do you make sure that the doors are locked and the windows are bolted? Do you switch on the lights for the added sense of security?

Are you afraid of the dark? To me the night is claustrophobic, it is oppressive, suffocating and yet the fear experienced in the dark is small. It’s little compared to the abject sense of fear and separation of God. Adam and Eve were created in the perfect image of God. They were surrounded with everything that their hearts could ever desire. Every want was supplied but they were scared. After eating of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil God came to visit them in the garden.

Genesis 3:8 And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.

3:9 And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where [art] thou?

3:10 And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I [was] naked; and I hid myself.

After his transgression Adam at first imagined himself entering upon a higher state of existence. But soon the thought of his sin filled him with terror. The air, which had hitherto been of a mild and uniform temperature, seemed to chill the guilty pair. The love and peace which had been theirs was gone, and in its place they felt a sense of sin, a dread of the future, a nakedness of soul. {PP 57.1}

There is nothing more fearful than the sense of the separation from God. It was this sense I read from the lips of Christ the anguish cry ‘my God, my God why has thou forsaken me?’ Sin separates and the life and death of Christ exemplifies this fact.

The Hard Facts

Isaiah 59:1 Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:

59:2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid [his] face from you, that he will not hear.

Your sins will separate you from God and if you are cherishing your sin He will not hear you.

Psalms 66:18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear [me]:

Have you ever felt separated from God? Have you ever walked down in empty way at night? At the same time feeling that because of your sins you are separated from God? I have. It’s a real terror. Every step that you take seems to be in steps as muffled footsteps behind you. Every breath seems to breathe in time with the breath at the back of your neck and you stop and you look and listen but all you can hear is your own breathing and your own heart pounding. The shadow seems to press in tight around about you and the light at the end of the street has no comfort in them. You sense a presence but by no means is it a succouring one and in the heat of summer you feel cold. You want to run but where to? You want to hide, but where? And you want to cry out to God for help but you feel that He will not hear you. You sense that you are all alone just you and the evil one. But what was it that we read?

Isaiah 59:1 Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:

We are not without hope. A very precious promise spoken from the lips of the impotent Himself

2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

If we regard iniquity in our hearts, if we cling to any known sin, the Lord will not hear us; but the prayer of the penitent, contrite soul is always accepted. When all known wrongs are righted, we may believe that God will answer our petitions. {SC 95.3}

So often we hear from the pulpit how we are to believe that when we ask that we are to believe that we will receive and that He will answer our petitions. But have you ever found that it doesn’t matter how much you believe or how much you to right those wrongs He will not going to listen to you? The devil has a pastime. He likes stands right next to you and whispering to your ear ‘Look at what you’ve done, you’ve gone too far. You’ve grieved the Spirit of God. He will not listen to you and even if He wants to he can’t. Your sins are too great.’ But I tell you what I’ve discovered. If you see your sinfulness praise God. It is not too late at all. You haven’t committed the unpardonable sin or grieved the spirit of God. You can still hear Him saying ‘you are a sinner’.

Romans 8:1 is a verse we often read, but do we remember it? We quite often read around and over it but do we see it? Write them on the tables of your heart, don’t forget them. Commit them to memory and if you have to write them down and hang them around your neck. So quickly we forget these words.

Romans 8:1 [There is] therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Believe it, no condemnation. God is not standing over you waving a finger and saying ‘now look at what you’ve done.’ No, no, no. Yet the devil is still there and he says that doesn’t apply to you all of this my people and my name and in Christ Jesus, it’s not for you. You don’t qualify.’ He is already a defeated foe. Ignore him and listen to this:

I have been shown that many have confused ideas in regard to conversion. They have often heard the words repeated from the pulpit, “Ye must be born again.” “You must have a new heart.” These expressions have perplexed them. They could not comprehend the plan of salvation. {EV 286.1}

Many have stumbled to ruin because of the erroneous doctrines taught by some ministers concerning the change that takes place at conversion. Some have lived in sadness for years, waiting for some marked evidence that they were accepted by God. They have separated themselves in a large measure from the world, and find pleasure in associating with the people of God; yet they dare not profess Christ, because they fear it would be presumption to say that they are children of God. They are waiting for that peculiar change that they have been led to believe is connected with conversion. {EV 286.2}

Are we one of these? Are you?

After a time some of these do receive evidence of their acceptance with God, and are then led to identify themselves with His people. And they date their conversion from this time. But I have been shown that they were adopted into the family of God before that time. God accepted them when they became weary of sin, and having lost their desire for worldly pleasures, resolved to seek God earnestly. {EV 286.3}

We are all here because we are weary of sin and crying and crying for the abomination done in the land and in our flesh. No need to feel that you are not a child of God. Have you missed the privileges and blessings? I know I have.

It took me over 22 years to not be afraid, don’t be afraid of the dark, there is no need to be. I was once, I used to look under my bed. I used to quickly open wide the cupboard and sneak peep carefully behind the bedroom door. I even tied up some pots and pans just so that I’d know if someone came into the room. I would sleep with the lights on. I tried to overcome my paranoia. I would lie in the bed in the dark and I’d think, could there be one night that I didn’t check, so I would get up and check. It is a disease isn’t it? It can kill you. There are many fears out there in the world. What are they called?

Phobias

We’ve got arachnophobia fear of spiders, claustrophobia which is the fear of tight spaces. I suffered from that when I was a child with older brothers. Agoraphobia is the fear of empty spaces. Fear of the dark is called Lyophobic and there is even a phobia called Gnosiophobia is fear of knowledge. So many people these days are spending money in security, security guards, security systems, security screens, security locks and even guns and knives and even baseball bats. The scripture says that in the last days men’s hearts will fall into fear and how true is this.

There is no peace of mind. God has promised it to you and to me? He is telling us how to get it. So listen very carefully. Fear stems from the lack of knowledge. You won’t be scared of a spider if you know it won’t bite you. You won’t be afraid of the dark if you can be 100% sure that nothing will hurt you. I was afraid once because I didn’t know. When I was a child I heard about the Aids virus. I thought I might have it. I was scared. So many nights I cried myself to sleep with clenched fists and I pleaded earnestly with him that I would not have the disease and if I did could you please cure me so that I can live a normal life? I laid down myself before for Him. I asked forgiveness for every sin that I could think of and I told Him how much I loved Him. I even made vain promises. Only He would save me from the consequences of my actions. It wasn’t until 13 years of age that I discovered that there is no way that I could have Aids. I have never done anything of the sort. It is funny now, but at the time I was scared. But I didn’t know any better. If I was told all the truth about it obviously I didn’t understand it. But such an experience etched itself into my character. I grew up with a very cold heart in the dark and I had no control over my emotions.

One minute I would be happy and joyful the next I would I would snap like a twig. I learned not to expect too much from life. ‘Don’t get your hopes up’ I said they will only come down. When I did something wrong, something that would hurt others, a sense of guilt laid upon me. I shut myself in. I felt sorry for myself. So what I am sharing with you today is much for me as it is for you. About a year or two ago I had a job where I did lots of driving. I decided to spend the night talking to God. I talked with Him and I sung and I praised Him. I laid out my heart before Him. It is a beautiful time, the Lord felt so close, it really felt as though He was my best friend. I would rest on such a high that I went out and got some movies. One voice told me it was a stupid thing to do. Another voice said you’ve done it now.’ I would watch movies all night non-stop for the next three days.

Quiet in my conscience to shut up the voice. I praise the Lord for the ministry that we have here. I believe that we have the plan of salvation for them to dwell with all the simplicity of a child. I believe that we’ve been fitted with knowledge to fit our feet solidly in the past righteousness so that we cannot be moved. Sometimes the very thing that you and I need to hear the devil distracts us from hearing. God knew I would be anguished and the fear that the children of Israel would go through and they discovered they had killed someone. So He made a provision. We read of this provision:

Numbers 35:9 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come over Jordan into the land of Canaan;

35:10 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come over Jordan into the land of Canaan;

35:11 Then ye shall appoint you cities to be cities of refuge for you; that the slayer may flee thither, which killeth any person at unawares.

35:12 And they shall be unto you cities for refuge from the avenger; that the manslayer die not, until he stand before the congregation in judgment.

When the Israelites came over Jordan into the land of Canaan each to each of the tribes of Israel an allotment for an inheritance was given except to the tribe of Levites as their duty was priestly work. For their inheritance for the eight cities around the country was given to them. Six of these three on one side over Jordan and three on the other. It was sworn to be cities of refuge where the men slayer, the murderer lived safely.

This merciful provision was rendered necessary by the ancient custom of private vengeance, by which the punishment of the murderer devolved on the nearest relative or the next heir of the deceased. In cases where guilt was clearly evident it was not necessary to wait for a trial by the magistrates. The avenger might pursue the criminal anywhere and put him to death wherever he should be found. The Lord did not see fit to abolish this custom at that time, but He made provision to ensure the safety of those who should take life unintentionally. {PP 515.2}

The cities of refuge were so distributed as to be within a half day’s journey of every part of the land. The roads leading to them were always to be kept in good repair; all along the way signposts were to be erected bearing the word “Refuge” in plain, bold characters, that the fleeing one might not be delayed for a moment. Any person—Hebrew, stranger, or sojourner—might avail himself of this provision. But while the guiltless were not to be rashly slain, neither were the guilty to escape punishment. The case of the fugitive was to be fairly tried by the proper authorities, and only when found innocent of intentional murder was he to be protected in the city of refuge. The guilty were given up to the avenger. And those who were entitled to protection could receive it only on condition of remaining within the appointed refuge. Should one wander away beyond the prescribed limits, and be found by the avenger of blood, his life would pay the penalty of his disregard of the Lord’s provision. At the death of the high priest, however, all who had sought shelter in the cities of refuge were at liberty to return to their possessions. {PP 515.3}

It is a powerful symbol.

The cities of refuge appointed for God’s ancient people were a symbol of the refuge provided in Christ. The same merciful Saviour who appointed those temporal cities of refuge has by the shedding of His own blood provided for the transgressors of God’s law a sure retreat, into which they may flee for safety from the second death. No power can take out of His hands the souls that go to Him for pardon. “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.” {PP 516.3}

As you look at the plan of salvation and you behold the life that was manifested in the death of Christ on the cross, it’s almost hard to believe. But why is there no condemnation? Why am I a great and terrible sinner? Am I not condemned? Because Christ has made provision through the shedding of His blood. No matter now great your sins are, no matter how deep you have descended into the pit of wickedness there is no depth that you cannot be saved from.

Hebrews 7:25 we know the text well. We are told that He is able to save them to the uttermost. How deep is the uttermost? How low did Christ go?

Psalms 88:4 I am counted with them that go down into the pit: I am as a man [that hath] no strength:

Christ was numbered among the transgressors, seen as a transgressor of the law and the wages of sin is death.

Psalms 88:5 Free among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave, whom thou rememberest no more: and they are cut off from thy hand.

88:6 Thou hast laid me in the lowest pit, in darkness, in the deeps.

88:7 Thy wrath lieth hard upon me, and thou hast afflicted [me] with all thy waves.

Christ descended into the lowest, deepest and darkest pit of human world and misery. How did He thrill?

The Anguish Cry

Psalms 22:1 My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? [why art thou so] far from helping me, [and from] the words of my roaring?

22:2 O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent.

22:4 Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them.

22:5 They cried unto thee, and were delivered: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded.

22:6 But I [am] a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.

22:7 All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, [saying],

22:8 He trusted on the LORD [that] he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him.

22:9 But thou [art] he that took me out of the womb: thou didst make me hope [when I was] upon my mother’s breasts.

22:10 I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou [art] my God from my mother’s belly.

22:11 Be not far from me; for trouble [is] near; for [there is] none to help.

22:12 Many bulls have compassed me: strong [bulls] of Bashan have beset me round.

22:13 They gaped upon me [with] their mouths, [as] a ravening and a roaring lion.

22:14 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.

22:15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.

22:16 For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.

22:17 I may tell all my bones: they look [and] stare upon me.

22:18 They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture. 22:19 But be not thou far from me, O LORD: O my strength, haste thee to help me.

Haste was indeed a strong word.

Psalms 69:1 Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto [my] soul.

69:2 I sink in deep mire, where [there is] no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me.

The followers of Christ sunk into the mire and as the floods overflowed Him He felt as though He was drowning. When you feel that there is no way out, when you are shut in and you feel that you encompassed about by evils, when you feel that you are drowning sinking lower and lower into the mire and your soul screams for rest learn of Jesus. What did He do? He gave up the gut. Father into thy hands I commend my spirit. Christ fled to the refuge.

Suddenly the gloom lifted from the cross, and in clear,, trumpetlike tones, that seemed to resound throughout creation, Jesus cried, “It is finished.” “Father, into Thy hands I commend My spirit.” A light encircled the cross, and the face of the Saviour shone with a glory like the sun. He then bowed His head upon His breast, and died. {DA 756.2}

Amid the awful darkness, apparently forsaken of God, Christ had drained the last dregs in the cup of human woe. In those dreadful hours He had relied upon the evidence of His Father’s acceptance heretofore given Him. He was acquainted with the character of His Father; He understood His justice, His mercy, and His great love. By faith He rested in Him whom it had ever been His joy to obey. And as in submission He committed Himself to God, the sense of the loss of His Father’s favor was withdrawn. By faith, Christ was victor. {DA 756.3}

If you see your sinfulness, do not wait to make yourself better. How many there are who think they are not good enough to come to Christ. Do you expect to become better through your own efforts? “Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil.” Jeremiah 13:23. There is help for us only in God. We must not wait for stronger persuasions, for better opportunities, or for holier tempers. We can do nothing of ourselves. We must come to Christ just as we are. {SC 31.1}

He who fled to the city of refuge could make no delay. Family and employment were left behind. There was no time to say farewell to loved ones. His life was at stake, and every other interest must be sacrificed to the one purpose—to reach the place of safety. Weariness was forgotten, difficulties were unheeded. The fugitive dared not for one moment slacken his pace until he was within the wall of the city. {PP 517.1}

Brothers and sisters the devil is a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. When you wake up to the fact that you have killed your saviour, go, run do not stop. Flee to the stronghold and the avenger is right behind you. We need to become acquainted with the character of God. For it is justice, it is mercy we need to know and experience the great light. We need to let our faith rest in Him. In submission commit yourself to God as did Christ. That sense of separation from God will be withdrawn. Notice He will not play the guilty. He will not, cannot save those who did not come to Him for safety. They will be destroyed by His wroth. But we have such a Father that we are told that even in the time of the plague the expression of wroth is a strange act and a strange work.

“The Lord shall rise up as in Mount Perazim, He shall be wroth as in the valley of Gibeon, that He may do His work, His strange work; and bring to pass His act, His strange act.” Isaiah 28:21. To our merciful God the act of punishment is a strange act. “As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked.” Ezekiel 33:11. The Lord is “merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, … forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin.” Yet He will “by no means clear the guilty.” “The Lord is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked.” Exodus 34:6, 7; Nahum 1:3. By terrible things in righteousness He will vindicate the authority of His downtrodden law. The severity of the retribution awaiting the transgressor may be judged by the Lord’s reluctance to execute justice. {GC 627.2}

He doesn’t want to have to punish you. As the father of the prodigal son went out each day to wait for his son so now the Father in heaven will wait for you. He knows what you’ve done. He knows of your drunken stupor, the licentious, your greed, your envy, he knows of your hatred. He knows exactly where you’ve been and what you’ve done. He knows what you thought. And yes He knows. But His arms open wide as He can spread them He wants to take you, He wants to wrap you in His arms. He wants to hold you close to His bosom. Brothers and sisters He will hold you tight, ever so tight. He will walk you back and forth like a mother with a child. He will sing to you and will whisper gently and soothingly in your ear. ‘It will be ok. Everything will be alright.’ He has even killed the choicest of the flock. Why wait? Just go. Run throw yourself into His arms.

The sinner is exposed to eternal death, until he finds a hiding place in Christ; and as loitering and carelessness might rob the fugitive of his only chance for life, so delays and indifference may prove the ruin of the soul. Satan, the great adversary, is on the track of every transgressor of God’s holy law, and he who is not sensible of his danger, and does not earnestly seek shelter in the eternal refuge, will fall a prey to the destroyer. {PP 517.2}

Have you sinned? You can go to Jesus. Go to Him now. And when you crucify Him afresh piercing His heart on the cross and you realize ‘oh, I have done it again.’ Don’t worry, run to Him.

Have you just cherished the wrong thought? Or you’ve just lost it and the wrong words slip out, go to Jesus. Tell Him what you’ve done. Or if you feel you are starting to get worked up and you think that you are about to lose it, ‘Father unto thy hands I commend my spirit. Release it. Give it to Him. And when the person you just sinned against sees your emotions switch just like that and they think you’re schizophrenic, don’t you care about Jesus?

Comfort and Assurance for the Afflicted

While you are suffering, while infirmities are pressing upon your soul, do not doubt the love of your heavenly Father. Satan will try to cloud your mind with the thought that Jesus does not love you. He will try to make you believe that you are unworthy of being acknowledged before the Father as His child, but do not believe his suggestions for a single moment. I know that the Lord loves you and that there will be souls in the kingdom of God that will be saved as the result of your unselfish labor, your steadfast adherence to the faith. {10MR 174.1}

When Satan comes in with his suggestions, look unto Jesus and say, “Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ who died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us” (Romans 8:34). Only think of this, my sister. Christ is the one who has died for you, who has purchased you with His own precious blood. Will He permit those whom He values so highly to walk alone? Nay, He will not. The apostle continues, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation?” (Romans 8:35). Nay. Jesus bore all this in my behalf when He accepted humanity, and He bore it in order that I might not perish, but have everlasting life. Will He who has done all this for you be indifferent to you when it is difficult for you to engage in the warfare and to fight the good fight of faith? You are weak, and the trembling hand of faith can scarcely grasp the promises, but cannot you now say, “Lord, I am now too weak to use the weapons of warfare, but I can repose in Thee as my only hope. In Thee, and in Thee alone, my Redeemer, is my only hope of eternal life. Thou art my refuge.” {10MR 174.2}

The message from God to me for you is “Him that cometh unto me, I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:37). If you have nothing else to plead before God but this one promise from your Lord and Saviour, you have the assurance that you will never, never be turned away. It may seem to you that you are hanging upon a single promise, but appropriate that one promise, and it will open to you the whole treasure house of the riches of the grace of Christ. Cling to that promise and you are safe. “Him that cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out.” Present this assurance to Jesus, and you are as safe as though inside the city of God. {10MR 175.1}

You are not to examine your feelings and put any dependence upon your emotions, for they may be as varied as the wind, but take to your heart this one promise and you will find it a passport to all the rich treasures of heaven. You are precious to the heart of Christ and He speaks, saying unto you, “Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). There is no perhaps or maybe about this promise. The “I will” of Christ is an assurance that cannot be made any stronger. He speaks further, saying, “Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly of heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:29, 30). {10MR 175.2}

Now, Jesus wants you to believe in Him as your personal Saviour, as One who can save unto the uttermost all who come unto God by Him. Your request made known unto God in the name of Jesus is ever acceptable to your heavenly Father. You have a right to appropriate the promises which you present to God in the name of Jesus, for the Father has committed to His Son the bounties of His grace to be dispensed to those who come unto Him asking in faith. The Lord Jesus is the One who gives to him that overcometh to eat of the tree of life which is in the midst of the Paradise of God. He who took humanity upon Himself knows just how to sympathize with the sufferings of humanity. He had the same nature as the sinner although He knew no sin, in order that He might be able to condemn sin in the flesh and might be able to sympathize with those who were in the difficulties, dangers, and temptations that beset His own path while He walked with men. They are to obtain help as He Himself obtained it, through a vital connection with God. {10MR 176.1}

Look to Jesus, your substitute and surety and righteousness. He became sin for us who knew no sin, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. He gives the crown of life to those who are faithful unto death. He it is who gives to eat of the hidden manna. My dear sister, Jesus will not leave you. He loves you with an everlasting love, and as you trust in Him your faith will grow and increase. The more you trust your Redeemer the more you will love Him. He is your friend in life or in death. He is the crown of your rejoicing. He is worthy of your fullest faith. All the sorrows and afflictions we suffer here only constitutes our discipline for a higher life, for through the appropriated grace of Christ trials will be the means whereby we shall be purified and fitted for heaven. Wait only upon God. Lean upon Him in entire dependence, for His everlasting arms hold you up and sustain you. Will not He who says that not a sparrow falls to the ground without the notice of your heavenly Father care for you who trust and love Him? Jesus knows every throb of pain, every throe of anguish and distress, and He will give you grace to endure your affliction in order that your faith fail not, whatever may be your suffering. {10MR 176.2}

Keep up good courage. Let not your heart be oppressed. You have been called upon to travel a thorny path, but Jesus is at your side to journey the rough road with you. He knows, He understands every woe, every sorrow of those who suffer. His heart beats in sympathy with the hearts of suffering humanity, and those who suffer most have most of His pity and sympathy. He is your best Friend. He is your Mediator. The completeness of His humanity, the perfection of His divinity, form for us a strong ground upon which we may be brought into reconciliation with God. It was when we were yet sinners that Christ died for us. We have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins. His nail-pierced hands are outreached toward heaven and earth. With one hand He lays hold of sinners upon earth, and with the other He grasps the throne of the Infinite, and thus He makes reconciliation for us. Christ is today standing as our Advocate before the Father. He is the one Mediator between God and man. Bearing the marks of His crucifixion, He pleads the causes of our souls. {10MR 177.1}

Talk cheerfully. Let not one jarring note be heard. Let no touch of sadness or gloom reveal itself on your countenances. Keep Jesus uplifted. Talk faith in Jesus and sing songs of faith. Offer up your supplications in faith. I point you to One who “suffered being tempted.” “Wherefore in all things it behoved Him to be made like unto His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself hath suffered being tempted, He is able to succour them that are tempted” (Hebrews 2:17, 18). Let us praise God for this with heart and soul and voice. {10MR 178.1}

When troubles arise, when temptations are sour and we fail let us not be idle, let us not put it off. Let us go to Him just as we are throwing ourselves at His mercy. If we don’t learn to confess our sins now one day they will all hit us at once. May we learn of Christ and accept His invitation that we may come unto Him and rest. This is my prayer in the precious name our Saviour Jesus Christ.

Amen.