The Inter-American Division
FAITH AND COURAGE
By C. L. POWERS
We are living in a world where the horrible crimes understand their helplessness. Satan would have us of yesterday have become commonplace and Christians complain of our sufferings and try to burden others with everywhere are appalled at their steady increase. The our heavy load. If we listen, to his suggestions, unbelief to describe. Every day brings news of new political strife, in God will extinguish the flame of faith, and we will corruption of today is beyond the power of the human pen become discouraged. bribery and fraud. Every day brings its report of violence As we carefully examine our lives, we will long for and bloodshed, of indifference to human suffering, and of the indwelling of God's Holy Spirit. Such 'an experience fiendish destruction of human life. Each new day will fill us with brotherly love and sincerity, and will rid witnesses the increase of insanity, murder and suicide. Is our hearts of suspicion and evil thinking. We will be it not obvious that Satanic agencies are at work with slower to blame and accuse our brother and more ready increasing strength to warp and corrupt the mind and to to assume our responsibility. We will clearly understand defile and destroy the body? that Christian growth depends upon humility and meekness With these conditions on every hand, the gospel is with whole-hearted obedience and devotion to God's often presented in so indifferent a way that little impression command. Hope and courage are the fruits of faith which is made on the mind and heart of those who listen. In are essential to perfect service for the Master. every corner of our field there are hearts longing for a The Lord has commanded us to go forward in faith message of hope and courage. They long for a power that and He will prepare the way for His work. It requires will free them from sin. Their hearts are crying out for genuine courage to face the task God has given us to do. something which they do not now possess. The influence The battle will become more intense as we near the end of an earnest Christian life would change the darkest day of time. In the life of every man, woman and child, a into a day bright with hope. conflict is raging between loyal and disloyal angels. Satan Why are we meeting the challenge of the hour with and his evil angels are fighting desperately to hold their so much apathy? Perhaps what we need to stimulate our grip on every human being, for Satan knows that his time faith and strengthen our courage, is to review carefully is short. We have the promise that "all the resources of how the Lord has led us in ,the past. As we review His heaven are at the command of those who are seeking to great mercy and loving kindness so freely given us, we will save the lost. Angels will help you reach the most careless want to tell others of His wonderful love, and this will and the most hardened."—Christ's Object Lessons, p. 197. increase our trust in Him. To realise our complete As members of the Adventist family, let us exercise dependence upon Him whose "hand is not shortened that greater faith that God will lead and direct his work to a it cannot save ; neither His ear heavy that it cannot hear," glorious victory. If we have unwavering faith in His is a vitalising experience. promises, we may expect greater victories and greater Our greatest need during this critical hour is faith in accomplishments than we have ever seen before. Let us be God. The Lord allows trials to come to us to reveal quick to greet our brother' with, "Be of good courage." undiscovered traits, of character. He allows those who Let us unite our prayers and our hearts in the cause of are self-sufficient to be severely tried so that they may God so that the work' may be finished quickly.