All Along
“…It came to pass that the brook dried up” (1 Kings 17:7).

The education of my faith has long been incomplete. I could not for so long learn how that there is a providence in each loss, in every sorrow, in all things concerning me. A beautiful, providential ministry of failing, of stolen dreams, of broken heart and wrecked life, and of fading things. The special gift of emptiness. The material insecurities of my life make for its spiritual establishment in Christ alone. The dwindling stream by which Elijah sat and reflected here is a true picture of the life of each of us.
“…It came to pass that the brook dried up”– that is the history of our yesterday, and a prophecy of our tomorrows.
In some way or other we will have to learn the difference between trusting in the gift and trusting in the Giver. The gift may be really good for a while, but the Giver is the Eternal Love. “The everlasting arms.” (Deut 33:27)
The Brook Cherith where Elijah cringed in fear and despair was a difficult problem to Elijah until he got to Zarephath, and then it was all as clear as daylight. The prophet had realized God’s hard words are never His last words. The woe and the waste and the tears of life belong to the interlude and not to the finale.
Had Elijah been led straight to Zarephath he would have missed something that helped to make him a wiser prophet and a better man. Closer to God. Elijah lived by faith at Cherith. And whenever in your life and mine some spring of earthly and outward resource has dried up that we have been enjoyng. Leaning on. It has only been so that we might learn that our hope and help are in God alone, who made Heaven and earth.
Those in the highways are not to be neglected; neither are those in the hedges; and as we journey about from place to place and pass by house after house, we should often inquire, “Have the people who are living in these places heard the message? Has the truth of God’s Word been brought to their ears? Do they understand that the end of all things is at hand, and that the judgments of God are impending? Do they realize that every soul has been bought with an infinite price? As I meditate upon these things, my heart goes out in deep longing to see the truth carried in its simplicity to the homes of these people along the highways and places far removed from the crowded centers of population.It is our privilege to visit them and acquaint them with God’s love for them and with His wonderful provision for the salvation of their souls. {Ev 45.2}
This life is full of gracious opportunities, which you can improve in the exercise of your God-given abilities to bless others, and in so doing bless yourself, without considering self in the matter. Trivial circumstances oftentimes prove a decided blessing to the one who acts from principle and has formed the habit of doing right because it is right. Seek for a perfect character, and let all you do, whether seen and appreciated by human eyes or not, be done with an eye single to God’s glory, because you belong to God and He has redeemed you at the price of His own life. Be faithful in the least as well as in the greatest; learn to speak the truth, to act all times the truth. Let the heart be fully submitted to God. If controlled by His grace, you will do little deeds of kindness, take up the duties lying next to you, and bring all the sunshine into your life and character that it is possible to bring, scattering the gifts of love and blessing along the pathway of life. Your works will be far-reaching as eternity. Your lifework will be seen in heaven, and there it will live, through ceaseless ages, because it is found precious in the sight of God. Remember that what is worth doing at all is worth doing well. {ML 219.4}
This Sabbath Day I am celebrating that God’s love has been there “all along.” His Hand has been guiding me. Loving me. Taking care of me. Giving me people in my life to be His hands of blessing upon my soul. Our Lord is “mighty to save.”
Who is this coming from Edom, from Bozrah, with his garments stained crimson? Who is this, robed in splendor, striding forward in the greatness of his strength? “It is I, proclaiming victory, mighty to save.” (Isa 63:1)
Edom was a constant enemy of Israel despite its common ancestry in Isaac (Gen 25:23). Edom rejoiced at any trouble Israel faced. The imagery in this passage is of a watchman on the wall of Jerusalem, seeing Edom approaching and fearing that the Edomite king in his red garment is leading an attack. But it turns out to be the Lord, in bloodstained clothes, who has trampled and destroyed Edom.
And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.(Rev 19:13)
John’s vision shifts again. Heaven opens, and Jesus appears—this time not as a Lamb but as a warrior on a white horse (symbolizing victory). Jesus came first as a Lamb to be a sacrifice for sin, but he will return as a conqueror and king to execute judgment (2 Thes 1:7-10). Jesus’ first coming brought forgiveness; his second will bring judgment. The battle lines have been drawn between God and evil, and the world is waiting for the King to ride onto the field.
Christ has given to the church a sacred charge. Every member should be a channel through which God can communicate to the world the treasures of His grace, the unsearchable riches of Christ. There is nothing that the Savior desires so much as agents who will represent to the world His Spirit and His character. There is nothing that the world needs so much as the manifestation through humanity of the Savior’s love. All heaven is waiting for men and women through whom God can reveal the power of Christianity. {AA 600.1}
If the church will put on the robe of Christ’s righteousness, withdrawing from all allegiance with the world, there is before her the dawn of a bright and glorious day. God’s promise to her will stand fast forever. He will make her an eternal excellency, a joy of many generations. Truth, passing by those who despise and reject it, will triumph. Although at times apparently retarded, its progress has never been checked. When the message of God meets with opposition, He gives it additional force, that it may exert greater influence. Endowed with divine energy, it will cut its way through the strongest barriers and triumph over every obstacle. {AA 601.1}
All Along
(Written by Jennifer Lamountain
Originally Performed by Jennifer Lamountain)
“Time just drifts away
and as I look back on the years
with memories of
happiness and bitter tears
Through it all there is
a common thread
that cannot be ignored
You were there teaching me to be
Your servant Lord
All along
Your hand has been guiding me
shaping my life to be a beautiful song
All along
You’ve led me through
things that you knew would
make me strong
Your love has been there all along
Every joy and pain
have a reason of their own
now I realize that I was not alone
The changing seasons of my life
were not left up to chance
Lord, I know You were working to fulfill Your plan
All along
Your hand has been guiding me
shaping my life to be a beautiful song
All along
You’ve led me through
things that You knew would
make me strong
Your love has been there all along
Tomorrow when I turn around
and I look back at today
I will understand Your
purpose and my thankful heart will say
All along
Your hand has been guiding me
shaping my life to be a beautiful song
All along
You’ve led me through
things that You knew would
make me strong
Your love has been there all along
Your love has been there all along