Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad. Proverbs 12:25.
Let us not gather together all the unpleasant pictures,—the iniquities and corruptions and disappointments, the evidences of Satan’s power,—to hang in the halls of our memory, to talk over and mourn over, until our souls are filled with discouragement....
There are, thank God, brighter and more cheering pictures which the Lord has presented to us. Let us group together the blessed assurances of His love as precious treasures, that we may look upon them continually. The Son of God leaving His Father’s throne, clothing His divinity with humanity, that He might rescue man from the power of Satan; His triumph in our behalf, opening heaven to man, revealing to human vision the presence-chamber where Deity unveils His glory; the fallen race uplifted from the pit of ruin into which sin had plunged them, and brought again into connection with the infinite God, and, having endured the divine test through faith in our Redeemer, clothed in the righteousness of Christ and exalted to His throne,—these are the pictures with which God bids us gladden the chambers of the soul.—Testimonies for the Church 5:744, 745.
From Radiant Religion - Page 132
Radiant Religion
Thought for the Day
The teaching of Christ did not coincide with their ideas. It was spiritual, and demanded the sacrifice of self; therefore they would not receive it.... Is not the same thing repeated in our day? Are there not many, even religious leaders, who are hardening their hearts against the Holy Spirit, making it impossible for them to recognize the voice of God? Are they not rejecting the word of God, that they may keep their own traditions? Desire of Ages, p.213