Claiming God’s Powerful Promises (By Ellen G. White)
In the study of the Bible the student should be led to see the power of God’s word. In the creation, “He spake, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast.” He “calleth those things which be not as though they were” (Psalm 33: 9; Romans 4: 17); for when He calls, they are. Prayer, p. 315. (See Education, pages 253-261).
True faith lays hold of and claims the promised blessing before it is realized and felt. We must send up our petitions in faith within the second veil and let our faith take hold of the promised blessing and claim it as ours. We are then to believe that we receive the blessing, because our faith has hold of it, and according to the Word it is ours. “Whatsoever things ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” Mark 11: 24. Here is faith, naked faith, to believe that we receive the blessing, even before we realize it. When the promised blessing is realized and enjoyed, faith is swallowed up. Prayer, p. 59; Early Writings, p. 72
God has promised to give wisdom to those that ask in faith, and He will do just as He said He would. He is pleased with the faith that takes Him at His word. The mother of Augustine prayed for her son’s conversion. She saw no evidence that the Spirit of God was impressing his heart, but she was not discouraged. She laid her finger upon the texts, presenting before God His own words, and pleaded as only a mother can. Her deep humiliation, her earnest importunities, her unwavering faith, prevailed, and the Lord gave her the desire of her heart. Today He is just as ready to listen to the petitions of His people. His “hand is not shortened that it cannot save, neither His ear heavy that it cannot hear;” and if Christians parents seek Him earnestly, He will fill their mouths with arguments, and, for His name’s sake, will work mightily in their behalf in the conversion of their children. Prayer, p. 249; Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, pages 322, 323.
Believe, believe. Let your faith take hold of the blessing, and it is yours. Your feelings have nothing to do with this faith. When faith brings the blessing to your heart, and you rejoice in the blessing, it is no more faith, but [an overwhelming and profound] feeling [of gratitude to God]. Prayer, p. 54; Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, 167.
