Article November 7, 1914 Issue

Encouraging Promises

BRIGMAN C. ODOM

For all who seem to be in distress, the promises of the Bible declare victory and triumph. These promises are conditional, but the conditions are reasonable and may be readily complied with. For example, the prophet Isaiah says, "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." The psalmist declares, "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty." John the revelator in referring to the Christ writes, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." These statements, and many others of a like kind, show that one's protection from evil, from fear and its effects, lies in knowing God, in gaining a better concept of God and His creation.

The Bible promises relate to the present time. As the apostle Paul puts it, "Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation." Accordingly, "they that wait upon the Lord," that is, they who know God as ever-present good and as infinite Life and Love, shall renew their strength now; they shall have courage and boldness at this present moment to perform fearlessly and successfully any undertaking that may come to them, regarding it as either a privilege or a duty. Through the understanding of God as "a very present help in trouble," every sense of inability or of physical disorder may be removed, and thus activity and strength will be found equal to every requirement or demand. If walking or running in the literal sense be required, it can be done and no bad effects should follow. Thus are enlarged sense of duty and an increased capacity for performing it will be realized by reason of a better acquaintance with God.

"He that dwelleth in the secret place" is under the protection and direction of infinite Love; he "refuses to be influenced by any but the divine Mind, commits his way to God, and rises superior to suggestions from an evil source" (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 113). To dwell in the secret place is to comply with the requirements of the first commandment, "Thou shalt have no other gods before me." Repudiating every encroachment of evil, knowing that it is not God-ordained, and claiming God's allness and goodness, one has the comforting assurance that he does abide "under the shadow of the Almighty." He enjoys greater freedom mentally and physically. Where formerly he was in bondage to fear and limitation, he now has the encouraging conviction that nothing can separate him from the Mind that is infinite capacity and perfection.

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