The stewards of God have not done their duty. If they had, the work would be far in advance of what it is today. But we labor under far less difficulty than the world's Redeemer had to encounter. We should feel that we are stewards of His grace, trusted with our Masters goods. If we do our best, exercise our entrusted capabilities with the sole purpose of doing our Master's work and promoting His glory, the smallest talent, the humblest service, may become a consecrated gift, made acceptable by the fragrance of His own merit.PC 141.1

We have grant and mighty truths, and in presenting these truths to the world there is a field for the exercise of the highest capabilities. But the Lord will scorn your unwilling service. The truth is grand, eternal, because it proceeds from Him who is truth, and righteousness. And He will not accept the half-hearted, reluctant service of one of you. Unless you have a love for Jesus, unless you receive in your heart the Bible truth, and Christ as your personal Saviour, He will not accept your worthless sacrifice or your service.PC 141.2

When it is evident that those who are engaged in the Lord's work have made mistakes in some things, Satan is jubilant; he taunts Jesus and the angels of God with the sins he tempts men to commit. He presents these mistakes in all their discouraging features, clothing the erring ones with filthy garments. As the accuser of the brethren he presents these errors and wrong-doings in the worst light possible, and parades them before those who will help him in his work. Then the murmurers and those who are far from God think they have an excuse to be stubborn and sullen. They do not see that hell is triumphing, and that if they had a sense of their responsibility they would like faithful soldiers seek to retrieve the disgrace of defeat, not by leaving the ranks, but by closing up the ranks and pressing to the charge against the enemy, that God might not be dishonored and His cause languish.PC 141.3

The time when the work goes the hardest is the very time to test the spiritual strength and wisdom of every worker. When difficulties arise in any branch of the cause, as they will, for the church militant is not the church triumphant, all heaven is watching to see what will be the course of those who are entrusted with sacred responsibilities.PC 141.4

Like their Master, those who are abiding in Christ will not fail nor be discouraged. (See Isaiah 42:4-6)PC 141.5

The Lord requires our undivided affection. If men are not whole hearted, they will fail in the day of trial. When the enemy shall put his forces in array against them, and the battle seems to go hard, at the very time when all the strength of intellect, all the tact of wise-generalship, is needed to repulse the enemy, those who are half-hearted will turn their weapons against their own soldiers; they weaken the hands that should be strong for warfare. God is testing all who have a knowledge of the truth to see if they can be depended on to fight the battles of the Lord when hard pressed by principalities and powers and the rulers of the darkness of the world and wicked spirits in high places. Perilous times are before us, and our only safety is in having the converting power of God every day, yielding ourselves fully to Him to do His will, and walk in the light of His countenance. (See 1 Peter 2:9)PC 141.6

Now when we are just on the borders of the promised land, let none repeat the sin of the unfaithful spies. They acknowledged that the land they went up to see was a good land, but they declared that the inhabitants were strong, the giants were there, and they themselves were in comparison as grasshoppers in the sight of the people and in their own sight. All the difficulties were magnified into insurmountable obstacles. They made it appear as folly and presumption to think of going up to possess the land. Thus they leavened the whole congregation with their unbelief. The people broke forth into lamentations and loud outcries. But Caleb stilled them before Moses, and said, “Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.”PC 142.1

This was the language of faith; but the men who had spoken discouragingly were not to be baffled in their attempts to prevent the people from going forward in doing the word of the Lord. They tried to cry down the voice of Caleb, saying, “We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.” And they exaggerated the difficulties until all the congregation were crazed with discouragement and fear. The people wept all night, and murmured against the very men in whom they should have had confidence. Then in their exasperation they cast reflections upon God, wishing that they had died in Egypt or in the wilderness; they planned rebellion, proposing to thrust aside their God-appointed leaders. “Let us make a captain,” they said, “and let us return into Egypt.” What sorrow can be brought upon the ones whose hearts are in the work, by those who are unconsecrated, stubborn, and rebellious. Amid all the lamentations and bitterness of feeling, Caleb and Joshua spoke to the congregation, “The land which we passed through to search it is an exceeding good land.” (See Numbers 14:8-10) but the people wished to believe the worst, and while the ringing voice of Caleb was heard above the tumult they stood with stones in their hands to batter down the men who bore the right testimony. Then “the glory of the Lord appeared in the tabernacle of the congregation before the children of Israel. (See Nos. 14:1, 12)PC 142.2

While the people were cherishing doubts, and believing the unfaithful spies, the golden opportunity for Israel passed by. The inhabitants of the land were aroused to make a determined resistance, and the work which the Lord had prepared to do, for them to manifest His greatness and His favor to His people could not be done because of their wicked unbelief and rebellion.PC 142.3

Shall it be thus in these last days, just before we enter into the heavenly Canaan, that God's people shall indulge the spirit that was revealed by ancient Israel? Men full of doubts and criticisms and complaints can sow seeds of unbelief and distrust that will yield an abundant harvest. The history of Israel was written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. (See Hebrews 3:7-14) (Hebrews 4:1, 2)PC 142.4

Our only safety is in a diligent searching of the Scriptures. If we waste our precious opportunities to become familiar with the word of God, we are losers in every respect. “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”PC 143.1

(Signed)

Ellen G. White -

January 5, 1892

February 6, 1894