“Neither say they in their heart, Let us now fear the Lord our God, that gives rain, both the former and the latter, in his season: he reserves to us the appointed weeks of the harvest. Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withheld good things from you.” Jeremiah 5:24, 25.

It is not because of niggardliness on the part of God that there is a dearth of the Holy Spirit in our churches. This dearth, the churches alone can change. God says to His people, “Arouse and create an interest in holy things. “Where is our faith? Wherein do we sustain a proper relation to Jesus Christ? Do we follow Him in self-denial and stability? Do we talk the truth with understanding? When God pours out His Spirit upon the churches, they will bear fruit to His glory. The sword of the Spirit, newly edged with power, will cut both ways.

In God’s vineyard, there is earnest work to be done. The third angel’s message is to be proclaimed with a loud voice over the land. Every vestige of business that breeds dishonesty, every thread of selfishness, is to be swept away by the latter rain. All idolatry is to be consumed. Let every altar be thrown down, save the one that sanctifies the gift and the giver – the cross of Calvary.

New territory is to be added to God’s kingdom. New tracts of the moral vineyard are to be cultivated as the garden of the Lord. The honor of the law of God is to be vindicated before the unfallen worlds, before the heavenly universe, and before the fallen world. The bitterest persecution will come, but when Zion arises and puts on her beautiful garments, she will shine forth in the beauty of holiness. God designs us to have more life and more power because the glory of God has risen upon the church. If the truth is received, unsightly barrenness will not continue to exist. Christ’s Word is eternal life to the receiver. –Ye Shall Receive Power, p. 338.

Questions to think about:

Is the altar of our heart unlit?

How can ugly infertility be expelled from our churches?

Do we talk the truth with understanding?