Divine Secrets from Psalm 16Six secrets for Christian living

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“This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith,” [1 John 5:4.] It is faith that enables us to

look beyond the present, with its burdens and cares, to the great hereafter, where all that now perplexes

us shall be made plain. Faith sees Jesus standing as our Mediator at the right hand of God. Faith beholds

the mansions that Christ has gone to prepare for those who love Him. Faith sees the robe and crown prepared for the overcomer, and hears the song of

the redeemed. (Gospel Workers, pp. 259, 260)

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But it is not simply in one particular that men have failed. They have come short in every particular.

“They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good,

no, not one.” Not only so, but it is impossible for fallen man, with his weakened power, to do even a

single act that is up to the perfect standard.

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This proposition needs no further proof than a restatement of the fact that the law is the measure of

God’s righteousness. Surely there are none so presumptuous as to claim that any act of their lives has been or could be as good as if done by the Lord Himself. Everyone must say with the Psalmist, “My goodness extendeth not to Thee.” Ps. 16:2. (E. J. Waggoner, Christ and His Righteousness, p. 53)

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God will accept nothing less than unreserved surrender. Half-hearted, sinful, professing Christians

would spoil heaven, were they permitted to enter. They would stir up a second rebellion there. Those who know the truth, yet do not exalt the Author of

truth, will never enter the city of God. Heaven would be purgatory to them, because they know nothing of the high, holy principles that govern the members of

the royal family above. (The Southern Watchman, June 11, 1903, par. 4)

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God has given us the power of choice; it is ours to exercise. We cannot change our hearts, we cannot control our thoughts, our impulses, our affections.

We cannot make ourselves pure, fit for God’s service. But we can choose to serve God, we can

give Him our will; then He will work in us to will and to do according to His good pleasure. Thus our

whole nature will be brought under the control of Christ. (The Ministry of Healing, p. 176)

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In order to be happy, we must strive to attain to that character which Christ exhibited. One marked

peculiarity of Christ was His self-denial and benevolence. He came not to seek His own. He went about doing good, and this was His meat and drink. We may, by following the example of the Saviour, be in holy communion with Him, and by daily seeking to

imitate His character and follow His example, we shall be a blessing to the world and shall secure for ourselves contentment here and an eternal reward

hereafter. (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, p. 227)

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,to kneel, bless, praise“ (bārak) ברךsalute” (Theological Word Book of the Old

Testament)

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If we are determined not to be separated from the Source of our strength, Jesus will be just as

determined to be at our right hand to help us, that we may not be put to shame before our enemies.

The grace of Christ can accomplish for us that which all our efforts will fail to do. Those who love and fear God may be surrounded with a multitude of cares, and yet not falter or make crooked paths for their feet. God takes care of you in the place where it is

your duty to be. (Counsels on Health, p. 424)

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The reason why so many are left to themselves in places of temptation is that they do not set the Lord

always before them. When we permit our communion with God to be broken, our defense is departed from us. Not all your good purposes and good intentions will enable you to withstand evil.

You must be men and women of prayer.

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Your petitions must not be faint, occasional, and fitful, but earnest, persevering, and constant. It is not always necessary to bow upon your knees in order to pray. Cultivate the habit of talking with the Saviour when you are alone, when you are walking, and when you are busy with your daily

labor. Let the heart be continually uplifted in silent petition for help, for light, for strength, for

knowledge. Let every breath be a prayer. (The Ministry of Healing, pp. 510, 511)

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