God's Eye is Upon His People

[devotional at egwlists.whiteestate.org]

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Ellen G. White Estate, Devotional for September 23
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God's Eye is Upon His People

Shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him,
though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them
speedily. Luke 18:7, 8. 


In the time of trouble, if the people of God had unconfessed sins to
appear before them while tortured with fear and anguish, they would be
overwhelmed; despair would cut off their faith, and they could not have
confidence to plead with God for deliverance. But while they have a deep
sense of their unworthiness, they have no concealed wrongs to reveal.
Their sins have gone beforehand to judgment and have been blotted out,
and they cannot bring them to remembrance. . . . 

Those professed Christians who come up to that last fearful conflict
unprepared will, in their despair, confess their sins in words of
burning anguish, while the wicked exult over their distress. . . . 

Jacob's history is also an assurance that God will not cast off those
who have been deceived and tempted and betrayed into sin, but who have
returned unto Him with true repentance. While Satan seeks to destroy
this class, God will send His angels to comfort and protect them in the
time of peril. The assaults of Satan are fierce and determined, his
delusions are terrible; but the Lord's eye is upon His people, and His
ear listens to their cries. Their affliction is great, the flames of the
furnace seem about to consume them; but the Refiner will bring them
forth as gold tried in the fire. God's love for His children during the
period of their severest trial is as strong and tender as in the days of
their sunniest prosperity; but it is needful for them to be placed in
the furnace of fire; their earthliness must be consumed, that the image
of Christ may be perfectly reflected. 

The season of distress and anguish before us will require a faith that
can endure weariness, delay, and hunger--a faith that will not faint
though severely tried. The period of probation is granted to all to
prepare for that time. . . . All who will lay hold of God's promises, as
he [Jacob] did, and be as earnest and persevering as he was, will
succeed as he succeeded.

>From Maranatha - Page 274