Keys to the Storehouse – Recalls and Footsteps

We read in the Spirit of Prophecy that Satan will at the end recall all that he had done against our Lord. We also may have to recall similar things that we have done unless we make the necessary changes in our lives right now and become like Jesus. Satan has led many to walk the same road with him. Open your eyes now and see.

“[Satan’s] Memory recalls

  • the home of his innocence and purity, the peace and contentment that were his until he indulged in murmuring against God, and envy of Christ.
  • His accusations, his rebellion, his deceptions to gain the sympathy and support of the angels,
  • his stubborn persistence in making no effort for self-recovery when God would have granted him forgiveness—all come vividly before him.
  • He reviews his work among men and its results—the enmity of man toward his fellow man,
  • the terrible destruction of life, the rise and fall of kingdoms, the overturning of thrones, the long succession of tumults, conflicts, and revolutions.
  • He recalls his constant efforts to oppose the work of Christ and to sink man lower and lower.
  • He sees that his hellish plots have been powerless to destroy those who have put their trust in Jesus. As Satan looks upon his kingdom, the fruit of his toil, he sees only failure and ruin. He has led the multitudes to believe that the City of God would be an easy prey; but he knows that this is false. Again and again, in the progress of the great controversy, he has been defeated and compelled to yield. He knows too well the power and majesty of the Eternal.” The Great Controversy, 669.

“Satan sees that his voluntary rebellion has unfitted him for heaven. He has trained his powers to war against God; the purity, peace, and harmony of heaven would be to him supreme torture. … Satan bows down and confesses the justice of his sentence.” Ibid., 670.

What can you recall right now? Has Satan been powerless against your conviction, or has he successfully tricked you into following him on his path of destruction? We know the end of his story and it is each one’s choice now which path he or she will travel. Will you step out in faith and walk in God’s way and in the end be found without spot or wrinkle or will you take the broad way in the companionship of the enemy of heaven.

Heavenly Father: Let me not have to recall in shame what the devil has led me into but that all of my reflections be of what Jesus has done for me by the cleansing and purification of my character which will be seen in all my actions and words. I repent that I have ever followed Satan’s ways and acted like him. I pray that I may be granted eternal life with Jesus and avoid eternal death with the devil. Amen.

Keys to the Storehouse – Hold Up My Goings

He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord.” Psalm 40:2, 3. [Emphasis added.]

Has the experience of David also been yours? Has our Lord brought you up out of a horrible pit, that hole in the ground which is that thick mud of earthiness where there is impatience, unkindness, rudeness, pride, selfishness, and all kinds of ugliness? Has He brought you out of the miry clay and set your feet upon the Rock and established your goings? Is there a new song of praise in your mouth that many are noticing?

When our feet are set upon the Rock, the influence of the Holy Spirit takes over. What is that influence? “The influence of the Holy Spirit is the life of Christ in the soul.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 6, 1112. [Emphasis added.] The new song that comes forth from our hearts is the life of Christ living in the soul. What influence is shining from you?

The opposite of this is the influence of the unholy spirit which is impatient, unkind, rude, full of pride, selfish, and all kinds of ugliness. “By their fruits ye shall know them.” Matthew 7:20. Those with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit will reveal the fruits of the Holy Spirit as set forth in Galatians 5:22, 23, of which love is the first fruit. The meaning of love is explained in great detail in I Corinthians 13:4–8. That first fruit working in and through you will influence those around you lifting hearts heavenward.

An unholy spirit struggles for control of your influence. He does not want you to reflect that love which suffers long and is kind, to reflect Christ-likeness.

“It is our own character and experience that determine our influence upon others. In order to convince others of the power of Christ’s grace, we must know its power in our own hearts and lives.” The Ministry of Healing, 469.

What spirit or character are you reflecting?

It just takes one slip of the tongue in shortness and impatience to turn a soul in a wrong direction. It just takes one wrong look or action, and a soul may be turned away from God. It would be a terrible experience to know that because of your influence, the devil would gain a victory.

“Christ never murmured, never uttered discontent, displeasure, or resentment. He was never disheartened, discouraged, ruffled, or fretted. He was patient, calm, and self-possessed under the most exciting and trying circumstances.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 3, 427.

Our Lord has brought you up from that horrible pit—that hole in the ground where all the murmuring, discontent and displeasure reign. Now is the time you need to talk with Him and pray:

“Lord, please hold up my goings in Thy paths that my footsteps slip not. (Psalm 17:5.) If You do not hold up my goings in Thy paths, a soul may be turned out of the way.” Then claim the answer and promise for that request in Psalm 121:3: “He will not suffer thy foot to be moved; he that keepeth thee will not slumber.”

Thank our Lord for hearing and answering your prayer and watch throughout the day to see how the Lord will redirect your thoughts and actions and how He will give you the grace to walk in His paths so that your footsteps do not slip back into that horrible pit. Jesus tells us to “let your light so shine.” Why? “That they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16. [Emphasis added.] It is that heavenly influence that the unholy spirit hates because it is of heavenly origin.

God has brought you up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay. He set your feet upon a Rock and established your goings. He has put a new song in your mouth, even praise unto our God. Why? So many shall see that Christ-likeness and be influenced to trust in the Lord.

The night is far spent, the day is at hand, let your influence—the life of Christ in your soul—be a light in this world. May you use this key to unlock the storehouse so that God may hold up your goings in His paths that your footsteps slip not. [Emphasis added.]