Our Power, Our Comfort

compiled from the writings of Ellen G. White by Frank Klin

From a letter written November 16, 1905, addressed to “My dear Granddaughter Mabel.”

I have the most precious matter to reproduce and place before the people in testimony form.
While I am able to do this work, the people must have these things, to revive past truth, without
one heretical sentence, in that which I have written. This, I am instructed, is to be a living letter to
all in regard to my faith.... [1]

We have every encouragement that if we daily surrender our wills to God, the promise will be
fulfilled, “And of His fullness have we all received, and grace for grace.” Every revealing of the
grace of Christ in our behalf is for us. We are to reveal His grace in our lives, in thought, word,
and deed. Let us not lose our opportunity to speak and act Christ Jesus. We are to represent the
mercy, the love, and the power of Christ,—the power that He has given us. “God is our refuge
and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be
removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.” [2]

Were it not for the power received through Christ, we would have no strength. But Christ has
all power. “Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in
earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the
Son, and of the Holy Ghost; teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded;
and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” Here is our power, our comfort. Of
ourselves we have no strength. But He says, “I am with you alway,” helping you to perform your
duty, guiding, comforting, sanctifying, and sustaining you, giving you success in speaking words
that will draw the attention of others to Christ, and awaken in their minds the desire to understand
the hope and meaning of the truth, turning them from darkness to light and from the power of sin
to God. [3]

It is a wonderful thought that human beings can speak the word of God, in simple words of
comfort and encouragement. The humblest instruments will be used of God to sow the seeds of
truth, which may spring up and bear fruit, because the one in whose heart they were sown
needed help,—a kind thought, a kind word, made effective by the One who has said, “Lo, I am
with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” [4]

The following reiterates the testimony she was blessed to share with us above.

To us also the promise of Christ's abiding presence is given. The lapse of time has wrought
no change in His parting promise. He is with us today as truly as He was with the disciplines, and
He will be with us "even unto the end." [5]

Even while engaged in their daily employment, men and women can lead others to Christ. And
while doing this, they will have the precious assurance that the Saviour is close beside them.
They are not left alone. Christ will give them words to speak that will encourage and strengthen
souls struggling in darkness. Their own faith will be strengthened as they realize that the promise
of Christ's abiding presence is being fulfilled. Not only are they a blessing to others, but the work
they do for Christ also brings blessings to themselves. [6]

Christ's gracious presence is ever speaking to us in His word, pointing us to the One slain
from the foundation of the world. To each one who will receive Him He is the hope of glory.
Looking to Him, we reflect His image to all around us. He is the source of spiritual power, and if
He abides in our hearts, the divine influence will flow forth in our words and actions to all within
the sphere of our influence, begetting in them desires and aspirations for strength and purity, for
holiness and peace, for a joy that brings no sorrow with it. [7]
 If Jesus is abiding in the heart, we will speak of Him with tearful eyes and trembling lips. We
are to carry the power of the Highest with us; show that we have a connection with God. Those
who attempt to open the Scriptures to others, should make the most of their God-given abilities.
They should grow continually in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus
Christ. They should be in earnest, and seek to progress in all their work. They should have a
sense of the responsibility resting upon them, and remember that their words and their works are
a savor of life unto life or of death unto death. It is the very Spirit and life of Jesus that we should
have with us continually. Says the Great Teacher: "I give unto them eternal life; . . . neither shall
any man pluck them out of my hand." Nothing can separate the living Christian from the living
God. Are we Christians? [8]

"I will not leave you comfortless; I will come to you" (John 14:18). The divine Spirit that the
world's Redeemer promised to send is the presence and power of God. He will not leave His
people in the world destitute of His grace, to be buffeted by the enemy of God, and harassed by
the oppression of the world; but He will come to them. [9]

The Holy Spirit is the breath of spiritual life in the soul. The impartation of the Spirit is the
impartation of the life of Christ. It imbues the receiver with the attributes of Christ. Only those who
are thus taught of God, those who possess the inward working of the Spirit, and in whose life the
Christ-life is manifested, are to stand as representative men, to minister in behalf of the church.
[10]

O, let it be seen, my brethren, that Jesus is abiding in the heart, sustaining, strengthening,
comforting! It is your privilege to be endowed, from day to day, with a rich measure of His Holy
Spirit, and to have broadened views of the importance and scope of the message we are
proclaiming to the world. The Lord is willing to reveal to you wondrous things out of His law. Wait
before Him with humility of heart. Pray most earnestly for an understanding of the times in which
we live, for a fuller conception of His purpose, and for increased efficiency in soul-saving. [11]

"Go forth preaching the gospel to all nations," the Saviour says to us, "that they may become
children of God. I am with you in this work, teaching, guiding, comforting, strengthening you,
giving you success in your work of self-denial and sacrifice. I will move upon hearts, convincing
them of sin, and turning them from darkness to light, from disobedience to righteousness. In My
light they shall see light. You will meet the opposition of satanic agencies, but put your trust in
Me. I will never fail you." [12]

Christ's gracious presence in His word ever speaks to the soul, representing Him as the well
of living water to refresh the thirsting. It is our privilege to have a living, abiding Saviour. He is the
source of spiritual power in us, and His influence will flow forth in words and actions that will
refresh all within the sphere of our influence, begetting in them desires and aspirations for
strength and purity, for holiness and peace, for that joy which brings no sorrow with it. Such an
experience will be the result of having Christ as an indwelling Saviour. [13]

1. 1905, Paulson Collection of Ellen G. White Letters page 19 par. 6

2. Ibid page 19 par.7
3. Ibid page 19 par. 8
4. Ibid page 20 par.1
5. 1904, Testimonies to the Church page 17 par.1
6. Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, December 1, 1910 par. 2
7. Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, September 29, 1896 par. 6
8. Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, July 26, 1887 par. 8
9. Nov. 23, 1891, Ye Shall Receive Power page 39 par.4
10. 1898, Desire of Ages page 805 par.3
11. Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, May 29, 1913 par. 6
12. 1904, Testimonies to the Church page 17 par. 2
13. Signs of the Times, September 3, 1896 par. 8