As Thy Days

We are not left to perish in human weakness. The promise of God is that our strength will be according to our days. We may not have the strength to go to prison or to death for our faith today, but when the time of persecution comes upon us then the strength will be given us accordingly.

It is sometimes hard to understand the meaning of the words of Jesus when He said, “Blessed are ye, when men shall revile, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for My sake. Rejoice and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” Matt. 5:11,12.

“Christ knows our weakness, and to Him we can go daily for help. It is not necessary for us to gain strength a month ahead. We are to conquer from day to day.” B.C. 7, p. 974.

“Wherever in His providence God has placed you, He will keep you. ‘As thy days, so shall thy strength be.’ Deut. 33:25.” CT p. 258.

Sometimes we may be like Peter, saying that we are ready to go to prison and to death for Jesus. But when the time came to Peter that there was a danger to him, he denied his faith. If we think that we are strong and able to suffer for our faith, then we will fail in the time of test. We must recognize that alone we can do nothing, but through Christ we can do all things.

In 1914 Seventh-Day Adventist’s in Europe were facing a test of faith. Only two percent of them had power to remain faithful, and 98 percent failed. Why was not the divine power given to them all in order to help them to remain faithful? This is important to know because we are soon going to face the Sunday law and persecution and many among us may fail because they do not have the divine power to remain faithful. The promise is clear that as our days are, so much of the divine power will be given us.

“Those who think themselves the strongest will prove to be the weakest, unless they make Christ their efficiency.” DA, p. 414.

“The reason why our people have not more power is that they profess the truth, but do not practice it.” Test. Vol. 4, p. 613.

Here is the secret of a victorious life. “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.” Luke 16:10.

Often it happens that we try to keep the great commandments but ignore the little duties and the minor requirements of the law. It could be the health reform that is neglected or Sabbath-keeping or a way we treat one another. These little sins will take away our strength and eventually our faith, but yet for a little while we may seem outwardly as good Christians.

The way of a Christian is narrow, it includes trials and afflictions, and humanly no one is strong enough to endure them and even rejoice as they go through these difficulties.

It is impossible to be a Christian and not to suffer persecution. Paul writes, “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” 2 Tim. 3:12. “For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for His sake.” Phil. 1:29.

As we study the history of the past six thousand years we find that God’s people had to suffer ridicule, imprisonment and death in the hands of their enemies who often were their own brethren. This happened to Abel who was killed by his own brother. Joseph had to suffer much for the hatred by his brothers; Jesus was crucified by His own church.
“Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? And they have slain them which showed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers.” Acts 7:52.

We are not to pray that God would remove all trials and the persecution from us, but we are to pray for the strength to endure them.

“While the Lord has not promised His people exemption from trials, He has promised that which is far better. He has said, ‘As thy days, so shall thy strength be.’ ‘My grace is sufficient for you: for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Deut. 33:25; 2 Cor. 12:9. If you are called to go through the fiery furnace for His sake, Jesus will be by your side even as He was with the faithful there in Babylon. Those who love their Redeemer will rejoice at every opportunity of sharing with His humiliation and reproach. The love they bear their Lord makes suffering for His sake sweet. In all ages Satan has persecuted the people of God. He has tortured them and put them to death, but in dying they became conquerors. They revealed in their steadfast faith a mightier One than Satan.” M.B., p. 30.

Apostle Paul had learned to rejoice in suffering for his faith. He said, “I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” 1 Cor. 12:10.

“Words cannot describe the peace and joy possessed by him who takes God at His word. Trials do not disturb him, slights do not vex him, self is crucified.

Day by day his duties may become more taxing, his temptations stronger, his trials more severe; but he does not falter; for he receives strength equal to his need.” MYP, p. 98.

It is much better to be persecuted than to be the persecutor. Jesus said, “It is impossible but offenses will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!” Luke 17:1.

Satan’s spirit in the persecutors will not give them peace. They will be wretched and miserable. Their suffering is greater than their innocent victims who have the Comforter, who fills their hearts with the peace and joy of heaven.

This persecuting spirit often creeps into the very church of God. We find this in the Old Testament time, in the time of Christ and ever since then.

“We should be the last people on the earth to indulge in the slightest degree the spirit of persecution against those who are bearing the message of God to the world. This is the most terrible feature of unchristlikeness that has manifested itself among us since the Minneapolis meeting. Sometime it will be seen in its true bearing, with all the burden of woe that has resulted from it.” G.C.B., 1893, p. 184.

When Sister White visited the church in Battle Creek she was not permitted to speak by the leaders. It was not until after her death that her work was appreciated more.

“The persecution that is carried on among church members is a most terrible thing. It is true that some have committed errors, and made mistakes, but it is equally true that these errors and mistakes are not nearly as grievous in the sight of God as is the harsh and unforgiving spirit of those who are criticizers and censors.” T.M., p. 186.

In the church there has always been troublemakers as well as also peacemakers. The troublemakers have Satan’s spirit and they always cause disturbance and divisions. The peacemakers on the other hand have God’s spirit and they work for the unity and peace in the church.

Do not hesitate to be a peacemaker. Even that you may have to suffer, the power of God will sustain you. “As thy days, so shall thy strength be.”
AMEN

Timo Martin, Canada