9. What should we say, with David, when spiritual darkness closes in around us and we begin to doubt? Psalm 119:81-82. Consider Romans 15:13 & 1 Thessalonians 1:3.
NOTE: ‘There is, notwithstanding the gloom and sorrow that gather here, a brighter and lovelier scene before us. Beyond the dark night of weeping, comes forth the bright morning of joy; beyond the valley of sighs, is the mountain of singing; beyond the din of battle, is the heavenly song of peace; beyond the howling wilderness, is the Eden of bliss; beyond the barrenness of the desert, is the beauty and the verdure of the Paradise of God; beyond the darkness of the sepulchre, is the light of the resurrection; beyond the sad sleep of death, is the joyful waking to immortal life; beyond the weary pilgrimage, is the blessed home; beyond earth’s week of toil, is the Eternal Sabbath of rest; beyond earth’s passing gloom, is heaven’s unending glory; beyond the endurance of tribulation, the fight of faith, and the patience of hope, is the pilgrim’s home, the saint’s inheritance, the Christian’s portion, the servant’s reward, the victor’s palm and the conqueror’s crown.’ James White: Review & Herald, January 31, 1854.
10. How are we shown that God sees it is a good quality in us when we can keep that hope alive in our hearts and quietly wait for God to reveal Himself to us once again? Lamentations 3:25-26.
NOTE: ‘There are precious promises in the Scriptures to those who wait upon the Lord. We all desire an immediate answer to our prayers, and we are tempted to become discouraged if our prayer is not immediately answered. Now my experience has taught me that this is a great mistake. The delay is for our special benefit. Our faith has a chance to be tested to see whether it is true, sincere, or changeable like the waves of the sea. We must bind ourselves upon the altar with the strong cords of faith and love, and let patience have her perfect work. Faith strengthens through continual exercise. We must pray more and in faith. God will not mock us. He will answer if we watch unto prayer, if we believe we receive the things we ask for, and keep believing and never lose patience in believing. This is watching unto prayer. We guard the prayer of faith with expectancy and hope. We must wall it in with assurance and be not faithless, but believing. The fervent prayer of the righteous is never lost. The answer may not come according as we expected, but it will come, because God’s word is pledged.’ Our High Calling, page 134.