Rejoice in the Lord

"The Lord builds up Jerusalem; he gathers the exiles of Israel. He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.... The Lord sustains the humble.... The Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love." Ps. 147:2, 3, 6, 11.

"It is the privilege of everyone to so live that God will approve and bless him. You may be hourly in communion with heaven; it is not the will of your heavenly Father that you should ever be under condemnation and darkness. It is not pleasing to God that you should demerit yourself. You should cultivate self respect by living so that you will be approved by your own conscience, and before men and angels.

"It is not an evidence of true humility that you go with your head bowed down and your heart filled with thoughts of self. It is your privilege to go to Jesus and be cleansed, and to stand before the law without shame and remorse. 'There is therefore now no condemnation to those which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.' (Rom. 8:1). While we should not think of ourselves more highly than we ought, the word of God does not condemn a proper self-respect. As sons and daughters of God we should have a conscious dignity of character, in which pride and self-importance have no part." KH 140.

"We must fight every day, every hour, the good fight of faith. You will meet with many trials, but if you bear them patiently they will refine and purify, enoble and elevate you spiritually.... Very great troubles are coming upon the world, and the powers of Satan are stirring with intensity the powers from beneath to work suffering, disaster, and ruin. His work is to create all the misery upon human beings that is possible. The earth is the scene of his action, but he is held in check. He can go no further than the Lord permits.... 

"Then let us rejoice, let us be glad. Let us not look at the hellish work of the powers of darkness until hope and courage shall fail. Jesus lives, and we must let our faith pierce the blackness...and rest in the light, rejoice in the light of the Sun of Righteousness....

"Jesus lives to make intercession for us. While the blackness and darkness are closing about the world, our lives are only secure as they are hid with Christ in God.... Faith must pierce the darkest cloud. Simple, earnest trust in God will glorify His name, and in that trust you may be all light in the Lord. Praise the Lord. Praise Him, and glorify God for His matchless love." KH 284.

"When clouds come between your soul and God, when all around you is dark and forbidding, when the enemy stands ready to rob the soul of its integrity to God and the truth,.. then it is time to pray and exercise faith in God.... Cherishing faith, the soul is able to rise beyond itself, and penetrate the hellish shadow which the enemy casts athwart the pathway of every soul that is striving for an immortal crown....

"We are to watch and pray just as long as Satan brings up clouds of unbelief.... Taking hold of Christ's power and efficiency, you can conquer.... Never let go your hold upon faith. It may triumph amid discouragement, gaining victory after victory." OHC 126.

"There are robes for the righteous, with crowns of glory and palms of victory. All that perplexed us in the providences of God will then find an explanation.... Where our finite minds discovered only confusion and broken purposes, we shall see the most perfect and beautiful harmony. We shall see that infinite love order the experiences that seemed most trying and hard to bear. As we realize the tender care of Him who makes all things work together for our good, we shall rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory." UL 46