Words to the Young

Our God is, and he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Daniel sought the Lord when the decree went forth to slay all the wise men of the kingdom of Babylon because they could not relate or interpret a dream which had gone from the king’s mind. Nebuchadnezzar demanded not only the interpretation of the dream, but the relation of the dream itself. If the wise men would supply this, he would accept it as a proof of their claim as magicians and astrologers. The magicians were full of fear and trembling. They declared that the request of the king was something unreasonable, and the test beyond that which had ever been required of any man. The king became furious, and acted like all men who have great power and uncontrollable passions. He decided that every one of them should be put to death, and as Daniel and his fellows were numbered with the wise men, they also were to share this fate. This manner of action is what we may expect from men who are in high authority, and are controlled by unholy passion.

Daniel came before the king, and pleaded for time to bring this matter before the supreme court of the universe, from whose decision there could be no appeal. When his request was granted, Daniel laid the whole matter before his companions, who were united with him in worshiping the true God. The matter was fully considered, and on their bended knees they pleaded that God would have them the power and wisdom that would done avail them in their great necessity. They asked God that he would so arrange matters that they need not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.

«Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.» They had not sought the mercies of God in vain. Then Daniel called together his companions, and thanked God that their prayers had been heard and answered, and they presented to God an offering of praise and thanksgiving, that was wholly acceptable to the Ruler of the universe. «Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God forever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: and he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: he revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.» Daniel and his fellows had a praise meeting, and all the universe of heaven united with them in thanksgiving. Daniel said: «I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king’s matter. Therefore Daniel went in unto Arioch, whom the king had ordained to destroy the wise men of Babylon: he went and said thus unto him: Destroy not the wise men of Babylon: bring me in before the king, and I will show unto the king the interpretation.»

Daniel was imbued with the Spirit of Jesus Christ, and he pleaded that the wise men of Babylon should not be destroyed. The followers of Christ do not possess the attributes of Satan, which make it a pleasure to grieve and afflict the creatures of God. They have the Spirit of their Master, who said, «The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.» «I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.» Had Daniel possessed the quality of religious zeal which is so quickly inflamed to-day in the churches, when men are led to afflict and oppress and destroy those who do not serve God after their prescribed plan, he would have said to Arioch: «These men who claim to be wise men are deceiving the king. They have not the knowledge they claim to have, and should be destroyed. They dishonor the God of heaven; they serve idols, and their lives in no way do honor to God: let them die: but bring me in before the king, and I will show unto the king the interpretation.»

The transforming grace of God was made manifest in his servant, and he pleaded most earnestly for the lives of the very men who afterward in a secret, underhand manner made plans by which they thought to put an end to the life of Daniel. These men became jealous of Daniel, because he found favor with kings and nobles, and was honored as the greatest man in Babylon. «Then Arioch brought in Daniel before the king in haste, and said thus unto him, I have found a man of the captives of Judah, that will make known unto the king the interpretation. The king answered and said to Daniel, . . . Art thou able to make known unto me the dream which I have seen, and the interpretation thereof? Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, show unto the king; but there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these; as for thee, O king, thy thoughts came into thy mind upon thy bed, what should come to pass hereafter: and he that revealeth secrets maketh known to thee what shall come to pass.» Then in all humility of mind he acknowledges that the wisdom is not in him, but in the God of heaven, and that the vision has been revealed to him for the sake of God’s servants, and that the king might know the thoughts of his heart.

I would impress upon the youth that Daniel’s God is their God, and whatever difficulty may arise, let them do as did Daniel, «desire mercies of the God of heaven.»

«And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the Lord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off forever.»

The dying charge of David to his son Solomon, with its warning and promise, is placed on record for the benefit of both parents and children. Parents should faithfully guard the feet of the inexperienced youth, and educate the train them to fear and love God, and to serve him with undivided heart. The youth are to heed the admonitions that come down to them in the sacred records through the ages to our time, that they may be wise in heavenly wisdom. «The Lord is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you.» This was written to Israel at a time when it is recorded that Israel had been without «the true God, and without a teaching priest, and without law.» But «when they in their trouble did turn unto the Lord God of Israel, and sought him, he was found of them.»

There are thousands to-day who have forsaken the law, and are making it void. God sends his messengers with a message in order that they may be convicted of their sins, and turn from transgression to the path of obedience. When Israel cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and sought him, he was found of them. In this statement there is great encouragement for those who are cold and backslidden to seek the Lord; they have the promise that he will be found of them in the day when they seek him with the whole heart.

We need to look constantly to our heavenly Father for wisdom and guidance: for we must bear in mind the fact that God holds us accountable for improving the capabilities and powers that he has given us. We are to seek to reach the highest standard of efficiency. This requires that we be much engaged in earnest prayer; that we be shut in with God, holding communion with our Lord Jesus Christ. Our young men and young women should be workers devoted to the Master’s service. If they will walk in the light which the Lord has permitted to shine upon them, they will see precious opportunities which they may improve, and do God’s will from the heart. In doing this, the affections will become pure, refined, and sanctified, and they may grow up to the full stature of men and women in Christ Jesus. «Be strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded.» Mrs. E. G. White.

As the light of the gospel shines amid the moral darkness of the world, sin appears in its true character, and is seen as exceeding sinful. As Christ’s righteousness is set forth, many souls are drawn to him, and respond to his love for them. They realize that it is the work of Christ to make reconciliation for the sins of the world. «In all things it behooved 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 succor them that are tempted. Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus.»

How is God reconciled to man?—By the work and merit of Jesus Christ, who has removed every objection, and put aside everything that would interpose between man and God’s pardoning love. The law that man has transgressed is not changed to meet the sinner in his fallen condition, but is made manifest as the transcript of Jehovah’s character,—the exponent of his holy will,—and is exalted and magnified in the life and character of Jesus Christ. Yet a way of salvation is provided; for the spotless Lamb of God is revealed as the One who taketh away the sin of the world. Jesus stands in the sinner’s place, and takes the guilt of the transgressor upon himself. Looking upon the sinner’s substitute and surety, the Lord Jehovah can be just, and yet be the justifier of him that believeth in Jesus. To him who accepts Christ as his righteousness, as his only hope, pardon is pronounced; for God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself. The justice, truth, and holiness of Christ, which are approved by the law of God, form a channel through which mercy may be communicated to the repenting, believing sinner.

Those who do not believe in Christ are not reconciled to God; but those who have faith in him are hid with Christ in God. «If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.» Through the imputed righteousness of Christ, the sinner may feel that he is pardoned, and may know that the law no more condemns him, because he is in harmony with all its precepts. It is his privilege to count himself innocent when he reads and thinks of the retribution that will fall upon the unbelieving and sinful. By faith he lays hold of the righteousness of Christ, and responds with love and gratitude for the great love of God in giving his only begotten Son, who died in order to bring to light life and immortality through the gospel. Knowing himself to be a sinner, a transgressor of the holy law of God, he looks to the perfect obedience of Christ, to his death upon Calvary for the sins of the world; and he has the assurance that he is justified by faith in the merit and sacrifice of Christ. He realizes that the law was obeyed in his behalf by the Son of God, and that the penalty of transgression cannot fall upon the believing sinner. The active obedience of Christ clothes the believing sinner with the righteousness that meets the demands of the law. «God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.» Mrs. E. G. White. —

Christ is the sinner’s substitute and surety. He has obeyed the law in the sinner’s place, in order that the sinner may believe in him, and grow up into him in all things to the full stature of a man in Christ Jesus, and thus be complete in him. Christ has made reconciliation for sin, and has borne all its ignominy, reproach, and punishment; and yet while bearing sin, he has brought in everlasting righteousness, so that the believer is spotless before God. The time comes when it is asked, «Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect?» and the answer is, «It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again.» He who has the spotless robe of righteousness, woven in the loom of heaven, in which is not a thread that sinful humanity can claim, is at the right hand of God, to clothe his believing children in the perfect garment of his righteousness. Those who are saved in the kingdom of God will have nothing of which to boast in themselves; the praise and the glory will all flow back to God the giver of salvation.

But there are many who claim to be children of God who are resting their hopes upon other dependencies, rather than on the blood of Christ alone. When urged to rest their faith wholly upon Christ as a complete Saviour, many reveal the fact that they have faith in something that they think they can do. They say, «I have a great deal to do before I can be fit to come to Christ.» Another says, «When I have done to the uttermost all that I can do, then the Lord Jesus will come to my help.» They imagine that they have a great deal to do themselves to save their own souls, and that Jesus will come in and piece out that part which is lacking, and give the finishing stroke to their salvation. These poor souls will not be strong in God until they accept Christ as a complete Saviour. They can add nothing to their salvation. The Israelites were required to sprinkle the door-posts with the blood of a slain lamb, in order that when the angel of death passed through the land, they might escape destruction. But if instead of doing this simple act of faith and obedience, they had barricaded the door, and taken every precaution to keep the destroying angel out, their pains would have been in vain, and would have testified to their unbelief. When the blood was seen upon the door-post, it was enough. The salvation of the house was assured. So it is in the work of salvation; it is the blood of Jesus Christ that cleanseth from all sin.

It is not now the work of the sinner to make peace with God, but to accept Christ as his peace and righteousness. Thus man becomes one with Christ and one with God. There is no way by which the heart may be made holy, save through faith in Christ. Yet many think that repentance is a kind of preparation which men must originate themselves before they can come to Christ. They must take steps themselves in order to find Christ a mediator in their behalf. It is true that there must be repentance before there is pardon; but the sinner must come to Christ before he can find repentance. It is the virtue of Christ that strengthens and enlightens the soul, so, that repentance may be godly and acceptable. Peter has made this matter clear where he says of Christ, «Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.» Repentance is as certainly a gift of Jesus Christ as is forgiveness of sins. Repentance cannot be experienced without Christ; for it is the repentance of which he is the author that is the ground upon which we may apply for pardon. It is through the work of the Holy Spirit that men are led to repentance. It is from Christ that the grace of contrition comes, as well as the gift of pardon, and repentance as well as forgiveness of sins is procured only through the atoning blood of Christ. Those whom God pardons he first makes penitent.

«Labor not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.» Christ has paid a dear price for the mansions which he has gone to prepare for those who believe in him. Those who shall inhabit those mansions must be fitted for the society of heaven by the righteousness of Christ, and by the work of the Holy Spirit. The preparation for heaven must be made in probationary time, and there must now be submission to the work of the Spirit of God on the heart, in order that the soul may be brought into communication with heaven, and may be educated to enjoy the realities of the eternal world. The righteousness of Christ, which will be imputed to the believing soul, will be the title by which his entrance into heaven will be assured. Through the influence of the Spirit of God, the believer is transformed in character; his taste is refined, his judgment is sanctified, and he becomes complete in Christ. The love that was manifested toward him in the death of Christ, awakens a response of thankful love, and in answer to sincere prayer, the believer is brought from grace to grace, from glory to glory, until by beholding Christ, he is changed into the same image. Mrs. E. G. White. —

«Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.» Christ received into glory, made higher than the heavens, holy, harmless, and undefiled, ever liveth to make intercession for us. We can say with Job, «I know that my Redeemer liveth.» Christ identifies his interests with those of suffering humanity. Many who claim to be Christians have advanced the idea that the Lord through Christ has redeemed us, and that having given his life for us, he then left us to make our way the best we can, to wrestle amid temptation and perils, and to meet alone the assaults of a cruel and relentless foe. Nevertheless we must overcome, and perfect a Christian character.

The Lord who made the world has not left it to run itself; he manages its affairs by his almighty power. The same God who so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life, «has not left the purchase of the blood of Christ to the mercy of the adversary of God and man. Having given to the world the best gift of heaven, he gave heaven itself. The love and benevolence of God have not ceased; his mercy is still directed toward the fallen children of Adam. Through every age, through every hour, the love of God has been exercised toward the world, notwithstanding the perversity of men; and when the fulness of time had come, Deity was glorified by pouring upon the world a flood of healing grace that was never to be obstructed or withdrawn till the plan of salvation was fulfilled. The Lord has set before the world an open door, and no man can shut it. God so loved the world, that having given his Son, who was equal with himself, he could not withhold heaven itself. Having given the greatest gift, he could not withhold that which was less. ‘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?’ ‘God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.»

God so loved the world that he would not suffer it to remain possible for it to be said that he could have given us more, or manifested for the human family a greater measure of love. He knew that the great manifestation of love, displayed in the life and death of the Son of God, would awaken the fiercest jealousy on the part of Satan. The gift of Christ to the world was beyond computation, and no power could compete with God by giving a gift that would bear any comparison to the value of heaven’s best treasure. The greatness of this gift was to furnish men with a theme of thanksgiving and praise that would last through time and through eternity. Having given his all in Christ, God lays claim to the heart, mind, soul, and strength of man. Looking upon the treasure which God has provided in the full and complete gift of Christ, we can exclaim: «Herein is love!»

Christ Jesus has said: «My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: . . . and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.» Unless his followers choose to leave him, he will hold them fast. Having given his life for the sinner in order that he might redeem him, he now provides for him the Holy Spirit, that he may have a Comforter to abide with him forever. What is the work of the Holy Spirit? Jesus says, «The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever, I have said unto you.» «I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever; even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.» «It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.»

The Holy Spirit is to be continually present with the believer. We have need more carefully to consider the fact that the Comforter is to abide with us. If we individually comprehended this truth, we should never feel alone. When assailed by the enemy, when overwhelmed by temptation, we are to repose our faith in God; for we have his pledged word that we are never to be left to battle alone. Every soul, pardoned of sin, is precious in his sight,—more precious than the whole world. It has been purchased at infinite cost, and Christ will never abandon the soul for whom he has died. The soul may leave him, and thus be overwhelmed with temptation; but Christ can never turn from one for whom he has paid the ransom of his own life. Mrs. E. G. White. —

The world’s Redeemer presents to his followers the plan of the battle in which they are called to engage, and he bids them count the cost. He assures them that angels who excel in strength shall be in his army, and will enable those who trust in him to fight valiantly. One shall chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight,—not through their own strength, but through the power of Omnipotence. They are to be more than conquerors through him that loved them. He shows them the vast confederacy of evil that is arrayed against them; but he also cheers them with the proclamation that they are fighting in company with the hosts of heaven, and that One mightier than all the heavenly intelligences is in the ranks of those who battle for truth and righteousness. The captain of the Lord’s host is with them, taking the command of the armies, and leading them on to victory. Because of their human frailty, because of their sinfulness, they may fear and tremble as they view the vast hosts of the powers of darkness; but they may rejoice as they look upon the angels of God ready to minister to those who shall be heirs of salvation. They may rejoice as they realize that the captain of the Lord’s host will lead them forward in every conflict against natural and supernatural foes. Jesus says, «Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.» Your Leader is a conqueror. Advance to victory. «Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.» «Without me ye can do nothing.»

How precious are these assurances that we shall never be left to take one step in our own finite strength; for he has said, «I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.» We are fighting in the presence of invisible hosts. Unseen intelligences survey the whole array of evil, and help is at hand. We shall not only be provided with that which is necessary, but shall be placed upon vantage ground. Let us be more hopeful; let us encourage one another in the most holy faith. It is as essential that Christ should touch our hearts now by his Holy Spirit, as that he should redeem our souls by his most precious life. To every Christian comes the word that was addressed to Peter, «Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: but I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not.» Thank God we are not left alone. This is our safety. Satan can never touch with eternal disaster one whom Christ has prepared for temptation by his previous intercession; for grace is provided in Christ for every soul, and a way of escape has been made, so that no one need fall under the power of the enemy.

Satan is preparing many and strong temptations with which to assail the people of God. He is represented as walking to and fro like a roaring lion, seeking for some unguarded soul whom he may be successful in deceiving through his subtlety, and may finally destroy. We are not safe without Christ for a single step. But what comfort is treasured for us in the words, «I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not!» Satan does not sift chaff; it is the wheat that he desires to have in his hands. Then let us take courage, and pray at all times. Christ offers our prayers to the Father, mingled with the merit of his sacrifice, and they come up before God as sweet incense. It is Christ who died,—yea rather, who is risen again, who is ever at the right hand of God to make intercession for us. Whenever you are tempted to sin, remember that Christ’s eye is upon you, and that Satan desires to have you, that he may sift you as wheat. Remember to send your petitions heavenward, and see Jesus making intercession for you. Send up an earnest cry to God, «Lord, save me; I perish,» and you will not be overcome; you will not enter into sin. Take your stand firmly on the words of Paul, and in the strength of Jesus say, «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.» Mrs. E. G. White. —