Why the Time of Trouble

[devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org]

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Ellen G. White Estate, Devotional for September 22
Visit us at http://www.whiteestate.org
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Why the Time of Trouble

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Ps.
46:1. 


Though God's people will be surrounded by enemies who are bent upon
their destruction, yet the anguish which they suffer is not a dread of
persecution for the truth's sake; they fear that every sin has not been
repented of, and that through some fault in themselves they will fail to
realize the fulfillment of the Savior's promise: I "will keep thee from
the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world." Revelation
3:10. If they could have the assurance of pardon they would not shrink
from torture or death; but should they prove unworthy, and lose their
lives because of their own defects of character, then God's holy name
would be reproached. 

On every hand they hear the plottings of treason and see the active
working of rebellion; and there is aroused within them an intense
desire, an earnest yearning of soul, that this great apostasy may be
terminated and the wickedness of the wicked may come to an end. But
while they plead with God to stay the work of rebellion, it is with a
keen sense of self-reproach that they themselves have no more power to
resist and urge back the mighty tide of evil. They feel that had they
always employed all their ability in the service of Christ, going
forward from strength to strength, Satan's forces would have less power
to prevail against them. 

They afflict their souls before God, pointing to their past repentance
of their many sins, and pleading the Savior's promise: "Let him take
hold of my strength, that he may make peace with me; and he shall make
peace with me." Isaiah 27:5. Their faith does not fail because their
prayers are not immediately answered. Though suffering the keenest
anxiety, terror, and distress, they do not cease their intercessions.
They lay hold of the strength of God as Jacob laid hold of the Angel;
and the language of their souls is: "I will not let thee go, except thou
bless me." 

The time of trouble is the crucible that is to bring out Christlike
characters. It is designed to lead the people of God to renounce Satan
and his temptations.

>From Maranatha - Page 273