Category: bible study

Reading Time: 13 minutes

For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. (Rev 16:14)

When I was a young child my Great Grandfather died. I remember two things in particular that shell-shocked me during that event. One, I was told to “kiss him” while he was lying there in the viewing room, and two, I was told how “he is happy in heaven now.” My reasoning, as a kid in The United Church was simple. I kept thinking well, “if Great Grandpa can see me crying like this now, how could he be so “happy in heaven?” “I thought there will be “no more crying” in heaven? (Rev 21:4)

What was the devil’s first lie on Earth?

“The serpent said to the woman, ‘You will not surely die’ ” (Genesis 3:4). Who is this “serpent?” “That serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan” (Revelation 12:9).

You will not “surely die.” This is the first lie the devil ever told us. “You will not surely die!”  The Bible says the opposite.

Why did the devil lie to Eve about death? How important is this subject?

The devil’s lie that we will not die is one of the pillars of his teachings. For thousands of years, he has worked powerful, deceptive miracles to trick people into thinking they are receiving messages from the spirits of the dead. (Examples: Magicians of Egypt—Exodus 7:11; Woman of Endor—1 Samuel 28:3–25; Sorcerers—Daniel 2:2; A slave girl—Acts 16:16–18.)

How were we created in the beginning?

“The Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul/being” (Genesis 2:7).

God made us from dust in the beginning. God added the breath of life and only THEN were we called in scripture, “a living soul”

What happens when a person dies?

“Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it” (Ecclesiastes 12:7).

The body turns to dust again, and the spirit goes back to God, who gave it. The spirit of every person who dies—whether saved or unsaved—returns to God at death. But we are never “a living soul” again until the resurrection.

What is the spirit that returns to God when we die?

“The body without the spirit is dead” (James 2:26).
“The spirit of God is in my nostrils” ( Job 27:3 KJV).

The spirit that returns to God at death is the “breath of life.” Nowhere in all of God’s book does the “spirit” have any life, wisdom, or feeling afer a person dies. It is the “breath of life” and nothing more.

What exactly is a soul?

“The Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul” (Genesis 2:7 KJV).

A soul is a living being. A soul is always a combination of two things: body plus breath. A soul cannot exist unless body and breath are combined together. God’s Word teaches that we are souls—not that we have souls. Big difference.

Can a “living soul” die?

“The soul that sinneth, it shall die” (Ezekiel 18:20 KJV). “Every living soul died in the sea” (Revelation 16:3 KJV).

According to God’s Word,souls do die! We are souls, and souls die. Man is mortal ( Job 4:17). Only God is immortal (1 Timothy 6:15,16). The concept of an undying,immortal soul is not found in the Bible,
which teaches that souls are subject to death

Do “good people” go to heaven when they die?

“All who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth” (John 5:28,29). “David is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.For David did not yet ascend into the heavens” (Acts 2:29, 34).
“If I wait, the grave is mine house” (Job 17:13 KJV). People do not go to heaven or to hell at death. They don’t go anywhere—but they wait in their graves for the resurrection. (see 1 Thes 4:15-18)

How much does one know or comprehend at death?

“The living know that they will die; but the dead know nothing, and they have no more reward, for the memory of them is forgotten. Also their love, their hatred, and their envy have now perished;nevermore will they have a share in anything done under the sun. There is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going” (Ecclesiastes 9:4,5,6,10).

“The dead do not praise the Lord” (Psalms 115:17).

God says that the dead know absolutely nothing!

Can the dead communicate with the living? Are the dead aware of what the living are doing now?

“Man lies down and does not rise. Till the heavens are no more, they will not awake nor be roused from their sleep. … His sons come to honor, and he does not know it; they are brought low, and he does not perceive it” ( Job 14:12, 21). “Nevermore will they have a share in anything done under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 9:6). No. The dead cannot contact the living, nor do they know what the living are doing. They are dead. Their thoughts have perished (Psalm 146:4 KJV).

Jesus called death a sleep. (John 11:11,13) How long will that sleep last?

“Man lies down and does not rise. Till the heavens are no more” ( Job 14:12). “The day of the Lord will come in which the heavens will pass away” (2 Peter 3:10).

The dead will sleep until the great day of the Lord at the end of the world. In death, people are totally unconscious with no activity or knowledge of any kind. The Bible says that “death is the last ENEMY to be destroyed,” (1 Cor 15:26) yet many defy this idea from scripture by making death out to be some kind of friend. bringing us into the peace of Heaven before the resurrection.

What are some praying to when they pray to a “saint” or talking to “lost loved ones” in a seance?

What happens to the righteous dead at the second coming of Jesus?

“Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work” (Revelation 22:12). “The Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
And thus we shall always be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:16,17).

“We shall all be changed—in a moment,in the twinkling of an eye and the dead will be raised incorruptible. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality” (1 Corinthians 15:51–53).

They will be rewarded. They will be raised, given immortal bodies,and caught up to meet the Lord in the air. There would be no purpose in a resurrection if people were just taken to heaven at death. The Bible doesn’t tell us to comfort one another with such words, anywhere.

A Serious Warning!

In the near future, Satan will again use sorcery—as he did in the prophet Daniel’s day—to deceive the world (Rev 16:14)

And the light of a lamp will never more shine at all in you. And the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride will never more be heard at all in you. For your merchants were the great ones of the earth; for by your sorceries all nations were deceived. (Revelation 18:23).

Among other things, sorcery is a supernatural agency that claims to receive its power and wisdom from the spirits of the dead. Babylon’s influence is seen as corrupting all the nations. Political arts, state tricks, counterfeit miracles, and deceptive maneuvers of every kind. The various arts and crafts that have been employed in her midst, and have ministered to her desires, shall be practiced no more. The pompous music that has been heard in her imposing but formal and lifeless service, dies away forever.

The scenes of festivity and gladness, when the bridegroom and the bride have been led before her altars, shall be witnessed no more. Her sorceries constitute her leading crime, and sorcery is a practice which is involved in the spiritism of today. “In her was found the blood” of “all that were slain upon the earth.” From this it is evident that ever since the introduction of a false religion into the world, Babylon has existed. In her has been found, all along, opposition to the work of God, and persecution of His people. (Rev 16:6)

Posing as Jesus’ dead disciples.

Posing as godly loved ones who have died, posing as saintly clergymen who are now dead, posing as Bible prophets, or even posing as the apostles of Christ (2 Corinthians 11:13), Satan and his angels will deceive billions. Those who believe the dead are alive, in any form,will in the end be deceived. When Jesus was asked by His disciples what will be the signs of His coming, the very first thing Jesus said was:

“take care that no person deceive you…” (Mat 24:4)

Do devils really work miracles?

“For they are the spirits of devils,working miracles” (Revelation 16:14, KJV).

“False Christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect” (Matthew 24:24).

Yes indeed! Devils work incredibly convincing miracles (Revelation 13:13, 14). Satan will appear as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14) and, even more shocking, as Christ Himself (Matthew 24:23, 24). The universal
feeling will be that Christ and His angels are leading out in a fantastic worldwide revival. The entire emphasis will seem so spiritual and be so supernatural that only God’s elect will not be deceived. An event to be noticed under this plague (Rev 16:13,14) is the issuing forth of the three unclean spirits to gather the nations to the great battle.

The agency now already abroad in the world known as modern spiritism, is in every way a fitting means to be employed in this work. Before the spirits can have such absolute authority over the human race as to gather them to battle against the King of kings and Lord of lords, they must first win their way among the nations of the earth, and cause their teaching to be received as of divine authority and their word as law. This work they are now doing, and when they shall have finally gained full influence over the nations in question, what fitter instrument could be employed to gather them to be so rash and hopeless an enterprise?

It is not likely that God’s people will be deceived on this point of spiritism, because:

“They received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so” (Acts 17:11). “If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them” (Isaiah 8:20).

God’s people will know from their study of His Word that the dead are dead, not alive. They will know that a “spirit” claiming to be a deceased loved one, or a saint, is really a devil! God’s people will reject all teachers and miracle workers who claim to receive special “light” or to work miracles by contacting the spirits of the dead. Or to pray to so called “saints.” And God’s people will likewise reject as dangerous and false all teachings that claim the dead are alive in any form, anywhere. This is the first and the last lie! This lie will be used to deceive many people in the last days prior to the second coming of Jesus. The miracles will be so real, that we cannot tell the difference just by our senses. We must  go by God’s Word alone.

In the days of Moses, what did God command that should be done to people who taught that the dead were “really” alive?

“A man or a woman who is a medium, or who has familiar spirits, shall surely be put to death; they shall stone them with stones” (Leviticus 20:27). God insisted that mediums and others with “familiar spirits” (who
claimed to be able to contact the dead) should be stoned to death. This shows how God regards the false teaching that the dead are alive.

It sounds harsh. yes. But let us be thankful this is not how it is today. We are promised that if we are far off (from Christ) then “the cross makes us near.” (Eph 2:13)

Will the righteous who are raised in the resurrection ever die again?

“Those who are counted worthy to attain that age, and the resurrection from the dead … nor can they die anymore” (Luke 20:35, 36). “God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death,
nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4).

No! Death, sorrow, crying, and tragedy will never enter into God’s new kingdom. “When this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory’ ” (1 Corinthians 15:54). “The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.” (1 Cor 15:26)

Belief in things like reincarnation are becoming more popular by the day. What does the Bible say about reincarnation?

“The living know that they will die; but the dead know nothing. Nevermore will they have a share in anything done under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 9:5,6). Almost half the people on earth believe in reincarnation, a teaching that the soul never dies but is instead continually reborn into a different kind of body with each succeeding generation. This teaching, however, is contrary to Scripture. The Bible tells us that after death a person returns to dust (Psalms 104:29), knows nothing (Ecclesiastes 9:5), possesses no mental powers (Psalms 146:4), has nothing to do with anything on earth (Ecclesiastes 9:6), does not live (2 Kings 20:1), waits in the grave (Job 17:13),and continues not(Job 14:1 2).

Satan’s Inventions

There are some things that we can and should blame on the devil. Satan invented the teaching that the dead are alive. Reincarnation, channeling, communication with spirits, spirit worship,and the “undying soul” are all inventions of Satan, with one aim to deceive/convince people that when you die you are not really dead. When people believe that the dead are alive, “spirits of devils, working miracles” (Revelation 16:14) and posing as spirits of the dead will be able to deceive and lead them astray virtually 100 percent of the time (Matthew 24:24), unless they go by God’s Word only.

Concluding Thoughts

1/ Didnt the thief on the cross go directly to paradise with Christ on the day He died?

No. In fact, on Sunday morning Jesus said to Mary, “I have not yet ascended to My Father” ( John 20:17). This shows that Christ did not go to heaven at death. It’s important to note that the punctuation we see in the Bible today is not original, but added centuries later by translators. The comma in Luke 23:43 would be better placed after the word “today” rather than before, so that the passage reads,

“Assuredly, I say to you today, you will be with Me in Paradise.”

Another way to put this verse that makes sense in the immediate context is:

“I’m telling you today—when it seems that I can save no one, when I Myself am being crucified as a criminal—I give you the assurance today that you will be with me in Paradise.”

Christ’s kingdom of glory will be set up at His second coming (Matthew 25:31),and the righteous of all ages will enter it at that time (1 Thessalonians 4:15–17)and not at death.

2/ Doesn’t the Bible speak of the “undying” immortal soul?

No. The undying, immortal soul is not mentioned in the Bible. Remember, we do not “have a soul” rather, we are a soul. The word “immortal” is found only once in the Bible, and it is in direct reference to God alone.  (1 Timothy 1:17).  At death the body returns to dust and the spirit (breath) returns to God but where does the soul go? It goes nowhere. Instead, it simply ceases to exist. Two things must be combined to make a soul: body and breath. When the breath departs, the soul ceases to exist because it is a combination of two things. When you turn off a light, where does the light go? It doesn’t go anywhere. It just ceases to exist. Two things must combine to make a light: a bulb and electricity. Without the combination, a light is impossible. So with the soul; unless body and breath are combined, there can be no soul. There is no such thing as a “disembodied soul.”

3/ Does the word “soul” ever mean anything other than a living human being?

Yes. It may mean also (1) life itself, or (2) the mind, or intellect. No matter which meaning is intended, the soul is still a combination of two things (body and breath), and it ceases to exist at death.

4/ How do we explain John 11:26 where it says “whosoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.”

This refers not to the frst death, which all people die (Hebrews 9:27),but to the second death, which only the wicked die and from which there is no resurrection (Rev 2:11 Rev 21:8).

5/ Mat 10:35 says “Do not fear those who can kill the body but the soul.” Doesnt this prove that the soul is undying?

No. It proves the opposite. The last half of the same verse proves that souls do die. It says, “Rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” The word “soul” here means life and refers to eternal life, which is a gift (Romans 6:23) that will be given to the righteous at the last day ( John 6:54). No one can take away the eternal life that God bestows. (See also Luke 12:4,5.)

6/ Doesn’t 1 Pet 4:6 tell us that the gospel was preached to dead people?

No. It says the gospel “was” preached to those who “are” dead. They are dead now, but the gospel “was” preached to them while they were yet living.

The Bible says that we are to glory in nothing but the cross. (Gal 6:14,Eph 2:13) A quote I found by one Christian writer reads like this:

There is one great central truth to be kept ever before the mind in the searching of the Scriptures–Christ and Him crucified. Every other truth is invested with influence and power corresponding to its relation to this theme. It is only in the light of the cross that we can discern the exalted character of the law of God. The soul palsied by sin can be endowed with life only through the work wrought out upon the cross by the Author of our salvation {6BC 1084.8} (see also Gal 6:14)

It is not enough to just dig up the verses and say “Im right, you are wrong here. IF the need for the cross is lessened or negated by our belief, then we must change what we believe.

If we do away with the need for the resurrection, by going straight to Heaven when we die, then why would we need the crucifixion?

Believing that we go to heaven as soon as we die, believing that the dead are not really dead, eliminates the need for a resurrection. And affirms the devil’s first lie. And the last lie! How can anyone be resurrected if they are already in Heaven?

But if Christ is proclaimed, that He was raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, neither has Christ been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation is worthless, and your faith is also worthless. (1 Cor 15:12-14)

There are several teachings  in the Christian world that do not pass the litmus test of the cross. Perhaps it is time for us to examine everything we believe in the Light of the cross?

For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. (1 Cor 2:2)

Today, many are teaching that resurrection is only spiritual rather than physical. Or they may have been teaching that the Resurrection had already happened (2 Tim 2:18). Whatever the case, they contradict the essential teaching that Christ had been physically crucified, physically raised from the dead and that believers in Him will some day also be resurrected. 1 Thes 4;13-18 tells us to “comfort one another with these words.” (1 Thes 4:18) When people die, these are the only words that scripture says “comfort one another with these words.”

For if we have been joined together in the likeness of His death, we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection; (Rom 6:5)

Reading Time: 9 minutes

Against All Hope We In Hope Believe
(based on Romans 4:18)

God’s Message to Abraham.

“You are the designated father to a multitude of nations before God. In whom thou hast believed; who quickeneth the dead, and calls those things which are not, as if they were. Without hope Abraham believes. In the promise of becoming the father of a multitude of nations.”

This is God’s promise to Abraham:

“So will thy seed be.” (Rom 4:18)

The patriarch was not sickly in his faith. It would have been easy to doubt while contemplating his sluggish body. (for he was a hundred years old.) And the torpid womb of Sarah. Abraham stayed faithful. He did not ignore the realities. Abraham never once hesitated. He embraced God’s Word as God’s promise. The promise of God, is where Abraham shows us he is not one lacking faith. But he was strong in faith, and gave glory to God; (Rom 4:17-20, Murdock, paraphrased)

The promise (or covenant) God gave Abraham stated that Abraham would be the father of many nations. (Gen 17:2-4) And that the entire world would affected , blessed,through him (Gen 12:3). This promise being fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Jesus was from Abraham’s line, and the whole world is experiencing the blessing. God kept His promise to Abraham.

Abraham never once doubted that God would fulfill his promise. Abraham’s life reveals many mistakes, sins, and failures. I see many similarities there with myself. As well as amazing examples of wisdom and goodness. Abraham trusted God. His faith being strengthened by the obstacles he faced, and his life was an example of faith in action.

One look at his own resources and strengths would spell doom. Subduing Canaan and founding a nation demands undying faith. Complete trust. Looking to self, he would have given up in despair. He would have failed. But Abraham looked to God, obeyed him, and waited for God to fulfill his word.

Against all hope, Abraham in hope, believed. And so became the father of many nations. As it is is written

“So will your offspring be.”

Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead. Since Abraham was about a hundred years old. And that Sarah’s womb was also dead. Abraham still did not waver through unbelief about the promise of God,. Abraham strengthened in his faith. And gave glory to God. Being persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. This is why “it “attributed to him” as righteousness.”

The words “attributed to him” are written not for him alone. , but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness. For us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was obedient unto death for our sins and experienced resurrection. For our justification. (Rom 4:18-25)

Paul explains that Abraham had pleased God through faith. IN CHRIST alone. Before he had ever heard about the rituals that would become so important to the Jewish people. We, too, have salvation by faith IN CHRIST plus nothing. It is not by loving God and doing good that we experience salvation. Neither is it by faith plus love or by faith plus good deeds. We experience salvation by grace, only through faith IN CHRIST. Trusting him to forgive all our sins.

With great clearness and power the apostle presented the doctrine. Justification by faith in Christ. He hoped that other churches also might receive help. By the instruction sent to the Christians at Rome. But how could he foresee the far-reaching influence of his words! Through all the ages the great truth of justification by faith has stood as a mighty beacon. To guide repentant sinners into the way of life. It was this light that scattered the darkness which enveloped Luther’s mind. And revealed to him the power of the blood of Christ to cleanse from sin. (Eph 2:13). The same light has guided thousands of sin-burdened souls to the true Source of pardon and peace. (John 14:27)

For the epistle to the church at Rome, every Christian has reason to thank God. {AA 373.3}

The prophet Isaiah looked down through the centuries. And saw the rejection of prophet after prophet. And finally of the Son of God. By inspiration, Isaiah accepted the Redeemer. So too did those who had never before counted as among the children of Israel.

Referring to this prophecy, Paul declares: “Esaias is very bold. He saith: “they found me who sought me not.” I was manifest unto them that asked not after Me. But to Israel He saith, All day long I have stretched forth My hands. Unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.”

Even though Israel rejected His Son, God did not reject them. Listen to Paul as he continues the argument: “I say then, Hath God cast away His people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God hath not cast away His people which He foreknew. Do you not realize what the Scripture saith of Elias? He makes intercession to God. Against Israel. Saying, Lord, they have killed Thy prophets, and digged down Thine altars; and I am left alone. And they seek my life.

But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to Myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal. Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.”

Israel had stumbled and fallen, but this did not make it impossible for them to rise again. In answer to the question, “Have they stumbled that they should fall?” the apostle replies: “God forbid. But rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles. To provoke them to jealousy. The fall of them be the riches of the world. The diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fullness? For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles. I magnify my appointed office. If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them. For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what must the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?”

It was God’s purpose that His grace reveal itself among the Gentiles as well as among the Israelites. This had been outlined in Old Testament prophecies. The apostle uses some of these prophecies in his argument.

“Hath not the potter power over the clay?” he inquires, “of the same lump to make one vessel unto honor, and another unto dishonor? What if God, was willing to show His wrath? And to make His power known. And endured with much long-suffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction? That He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy. Which He had afore prepared unto glory, even us, whom He hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?

As He said: I will call them My people, which were not My people; and her beloved, which was not beloved. And it will come to pass. In the place where God said unto them, Ye are not My people; there will they known as the children of the living God.” (See Hosea 1:10).

Who against hope believed in hope

The faith of Abraham. It bore an exact correspondence to the power and never-failing faithfulness of God. In the ordinary course of things, he had not the best foundation of hope. Yet he believed that he should be the father of many nations. All according to that which God promised. That his posterity should be like the stars of heaven for multitude, and like the dust of the earth.

When Abraham was too old. Beyond any hope of having a child, he based his hope on God’s promises instead. He believed that his offspring would be as many as the stars of the heavens. Because the all-powerful God had promised it.

Notice the remarkable alteration made by the R.V. in Rom 4:19. The A.V. suggests that Abraham refused to consider the physical disabilities. Which seemed to make the fulfillment of God’s promise impossible;.

the R.V. says that he looked them all in the face. As though taking into account all their significance and force. Then he looked to the promise. After balancing one against the other. He decided that the Word of God must stand. Great and forbidding were the difficulties in the way. He realized that what God had promised, God was able to perform.

Let us remember. From the time we trust Christ. Whatever may have been our present frailties and temptations. We being reckoned as righteous in the sight of God still have the promise. We may count on absolute deliverance from the power of sin. Do not look down, brooding over your weakness! Do not look back upon your past, strewn with failure! Look up to the living Christ! All the promises of God are yea and amen in Christ Jesus, 2 Cor 1:20.

Christ says “Yes” to all God’s promises. That’s why we have Christ to say “Amen” for us to the glory of God. And so God makes it possible for you and us to stand together with Christ. God is also the one who chose us and put his Spirit in our hearts to show that we belong only to him. (2 Cor 1:20-22, CEV)

God alone can give us a settled and established position. He anoints us for service. Seals us with His Spirit for safety, likeness, and authentication. And in this way gives us the earnest and foretaste of heaven. you what to believe. We are working with you to make you glad, because your faith is strong.” (2 Cor 1:24, CEV)

Paul did not ever desire to have dominion over other people’s faith. Christians everywhere are learning that the Holy Bible, alone, contains what is necessary. to faith and practice. No person, society, church, council, presbytery, consistory, or conclave is in control. No human source , has dominion over any other person’s faith. The word of God alone is the Christian’s rule, and to God alone we are to give account of the use we have made of it.

In matters of “faith” Paul was only a “fellow helper of their joy” in believing, (Rom 15:13; Phil 1:25)

The transformation made by God in the spirit of the believer will be evident in the daily life. Christian doctrine must lead to Christian ethics. Doctrines lead to moral purposes, even with, especially with, Bible prophecy. In Rom 12:1 and Rom 12:2 is the basic commitment required of the Christian in light of all that God has done.

Dear friends, God is good. So I beg you to offer your bodies to him as a living sacrifice, pure and pleasing. That’s the most sensible way to serve God. Don’t be like the people of this world, but let God change the way you think. Then you will know how to do everything that is good and pleasing to him. (Rom 12:1-2, CEV)

Spiritual transformation starts in the mind and heart. A mind dedicated to the world and its concerns. Will produce a life tossed back and forth by the currents of culture. But a mind dedicated to God’s truth will produce a life that can stand the test of time. We can resist the temptations of our culture by meditating on God’s truth. And letting the Holy Spirit guide and shape our thoughts and behaviors.

We see by experience that in our own human strength, resolutions and purposes are of no avail. Must we, then, give up our determined efforts? No. Our experience testifies that we cannot do this work ourselves. Help from One who is mighty to do it for us. But the only way we can secure the help of God is to put ourselves wholly in His hands, and trust Him to work for us. As we lay hold of Him by faith, He does the work. The believer can only trust. As God works, we can work, trusting in Him and doing His will {6BC 1080.6}

How should we respond when we struggle to obey? God has not left us alone in our struggles to do his will. He wants to come alongside us and be within us to help. God gives us the desire and the power to do what pleases him. The secret to a changed life is to submit to God’s control and let him work. Next time ask God to help you desire to do his will.

God is working in you to make you willing and able to obey him. (Phil 2:13)

To be like Christ, we must train ourselves to think like Christ. To change our desires to be more like Christ’s. We need the power of the indwelling Spirit (Phil 1:19). The influence of faithful Christians. Obedience to God’s Word (not exposure to it). And sacrificial service. Often it is in doing God’s will that we gain the desire to do it (see Phil 4:8-9). Doing what he wants we trust him to change our desires.

God Himself is at work in our lives and all that He does in our lives is for His good pleasure (Rom 8:28). It pleases God to do good for us. But He can only bless obedience to His will (John 15:10). Our ultimate goal should be to please Him in all we do. God supplies both the desire and the enablement to do His will. We only need to ask and receive what Jesus supplies.

The yes to all God’s promises is in Christ. And that is why we say “Amen” through Christ to the glory of God. (2 Cor 1:20)

His divine power has given us everything we need for the Christian life. Through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises. Through them you may take part in the divine nature. Having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. (2 Pet 1:3-4, NIV)

Great and precious promises. Refers to the many offers of divine provision found in Scripture. These promises offer us the glory and virtue of Christ. As the basis for our growing participation in the divine nature. We have Christ within us, as He promised (John 14:23), to enable us to become Christlike (2 Cor 3:18). Because we have become new creatures in Christ. We have escaped the corruption (the moral ruin) that is in the world through lust (perverted desire). We should make our escape from this world evident to all by our behavior and the renewing of our mind (Rom 12:2).

And now I pray that God, who gives hope, will bless you with complete happiness and peace because of your faith. And may the power of the Holy Spirit fill you with hope. (Rom 15:13)

Reading Time: 8 minutes

“And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day” (Gen 32:24).

To be left alone. No one else in the world in sight. No one to talk to. Nothing but pain. This was the miserable lot of the man who spent almost a year in the maternity ward as a patient. His injuries were so severe, that he had to be in strict isolation, for fear of massive infection that could result if he was not strictly isolated from all others. When a person who has massive areas of their skin burned, they will lose a lot of Plasma which contains the protein needed for healing and recovery.  Many burn victims die because of this acute loss of blood plasma. And this would leave them extremely open to infection.

All those months I was in that maternity ward, I learned what it was to feel truly alone. They had to put me in there because it was a small town hospital, and it was the only “room” they had where the strict isolation protocols could be diligently adhered to. Being so alone there, all those months, saved my life.

Even today, those words “Left alone” conjure up the temptation to cringe and panic a little within myself. What different sensations those words will produce to each of us. To some they spell loneliness and desolation, yet I have met others to whom it means rest and quiet. To be left alone without God, would be too awful for words, but to be left alone WITH GOD is a foretaste of Heaven! If we, His followers spent more time alone with Him, we would see much more of spiritual giants in this our day and age.

Jesus has set us an example. Note how often He went to be alone with God; and how He had a mighty purpose behind the command,

“When thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray.” (Mat 6:6)

The greatest miracles of Elijah and Elisha took place when they were alone with God. It was alone with God that Jacob became a prince; and just there that we, too, may become “sons and daughters of God, (John 1:12) to be “wondered at” (Zech 3:8).

“thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they are men wondered at” (Zech 3:8)

Joshua was alone when the Lord came to him. (Joshua 1:1) Gideon and Jephthah were by themselves when commissioned to save Israel. (Judges 6:11; Judges 11:29) Moses was by himself at the wilderness bush. (Exodus 3:1-5) Cornelius was praying by himself when the angel came to him. (Acts 10:2) No one was with Peter on the house top, when he was instructed to go to the Gentiles. (Acts 10:9) John the Baptist was alone in the wilderness (Luke 1:80), and John the Beloved alone in Patmos, when nearest God. (Rev 1:9)

The developing situation had become serious. Servants had returned with the tidings that Esau was approaching with four hundred men. No response was sent to the friendly message. It appeared certain that Esau was coming to seek revenge. Terror pervaded the camp.

“Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed.” (Gen 32:7)

Jacob could not go back, and he feared to advance. His company, unarmed and defenseless, were wholly unprepared for a hostile encounter. He accordingly divided them into two bands, so that if one should be attacked, the other might have an opportunity to escape. Jacob sent from his vast flocks generous presents to Esau, with a friendly message. He did all in his power to atone for the wrong to his brother and to avert the threatened danger, and then in humiliation and repentance he pleaded for divine protection:

Thou “saidst unto me, Return unto thy country, and to thy kindred, and I will deal well with thee: I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which Thou hast showed unto Thy servant; for with my staff I passed over this Jordan; and now I am become two bands. Deliver me, I pray Thee, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau: for I fear him, lest he will come and smite me, and the mother with the children.” {PP 196.1}

They had now reached the river Jabbok, and as night came on, Jacob sent his family across the ford of the river, while he alone remained behind. He had decided to spend the night in prayer, and he desired to be alone with God. God could soften the heart of Esau. In Him was the patriarch’s only hope.{PP 196.2}

It was in a lonely, mountainous region, the haunt of wild beasts and the lurking place of robbers and murderers. Solitary and unprotected, Jacob bowed in deep distress upon the earth. It was midnight. All that made life dear to him were at a distance, exposed to danger and death. Bitterest of all was the thought that it was his own sin which had brought this peril upon the innocent. With earnest cries and tears he made his prayer before God. Suddenly a strong hand was laid upon him. He thought that an enemy was seeking his life, and he endeavored to wrest himself from the grasp of his assailant. In the darkness the two struggled for the mastery. Not a word was spoken, but Jacob put forth all his strength, and did not relax his efforts for a moment. While he was thus battling for his life, the sense of his guilt pressed upon his soul; his sins rose up before him, to shut him out from God.

But in his terrible extremity he remembered God’s promises, and his whole heart went out in entreaty for His mercy. The struggle continued until near the break of day, when the stranger placed his finger upon Jacob’s thigh, and he was crippled instantly. The patriarch now discerned the character of his antagonist. He knew that he had been in conflict with a heavenly messenger, and this was why his almost superhuman effort had not gained the victory. It was Christ, “the Angel of the covenant,” who had revealed Himself to Jacob. The patriarch was now disabled and suffering the keenest pain, but he would not loosen his hold. All penitent and broken, he clung to the Angel; “he wept, and made supplication” (Hosea 12:4), pleading for a blessing. He must have the assurance that his sin was pardoned. Physical pain was not sufficient to divert his mind from this object.

His determination grew stronger, his faith more earnest and persevering, until the very last. The Angel tried to release Himself; He urged, “Let Me go, for the day breaketh;” but Jacob answered, “I will not let Thee go, except Thou bless me.” Had this been a boastful, presumptuous confidence, Jacob would have been instantly destroyed; but his was the assurance of one who confesses his own unworthiness, yet trusts the faithfulness of a covenant-keeping God.{PP 196.3}

Long to be alone with God. If we neglect it, we not only rob ourselves, but others too, of the special blessing of prayer, since when we are blessed we are able to pass on blessing to others. It may of course mean less outside work. Yet the time alone with God will be sure to render more depth and power. The consequence, will be that “they saw no man save Jesus alone.” (Mat 17:8, Mark 9:8) The need to be alone with God in prayer cannot be over-emphasized. “Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while:” (Mark 6:31)

Jacob “had power over the Angel, and prevailed.” Hos_12:4. Through humiliation, repentance, and self-surrender, this sinful, erring mortal prevailed with the Majesty of heaven. He had fastened his trembling grasp upon the promises of God, and the heart of Infinite Love could not turn away the sinner’s plea. {PP 197.1}

The error that had led to Jacob’s sin in obtaining the birthright by fraud was now clearly set before him. He had not trusted God’s promises, but had sought by his own efforts to bring about that which God would have accomplished in His own time and way. As an evidence that he had been forgiven, his name was changed from one that was a reminder of his sin, to one that commemorated his victory. “Thy name,” said the Angel, “shall be called no more Jacob [the supplanter], but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.” {PP 197.2}

Jacob had received the blessing for which his soul had longed. His sin as a supplanter and deceiver had been pardoned. The crisis in his life was past. Doubt, perplexity, and remorse had embittered his existence, but now all was changed; and sweet was the peace of reconciliation with God. Jacob no longer feared to meet his brother. God, who had forgiven his sin, could move the heart of Esau also to accept his humiliation and repentance. {PP 198.1}

That guy in the maternity ward as a patient for all those months.  He is like a brand scorched and charred with the burning. But he has been literally plucked out of the consuming flame. Surely then you too are being kept, in your aloneness and pain and disappointment for some high and useful purpose?

Something like Jacob after that entire night of wrestling, all the past is simply our argument for faith. That God has done so much is His pledge that He will perfect that which concerneth us, (Psalms 138:8) because His mercy endureth forever. (Psalms 100:5). Whoever He justifies, He also glorifies. Let us, regardless of circumstance be content with nothing short of God’s best. The key to spiritual growth and personal fulfillment is always going to be that we should honor God and center our desires on him, and His express will. (Mat 6:33), and that we should be content with what God is doing in our lives (Phil 4:11-13).

“godliness with contentment is great gain.” (1 Tim 6:6)

PS That guy who spent all those months as a patient on the maternity ward wrote a poem about how Jesus gave him the example of being alone, in stark midnight of wrestling and anguish: The Garden Alone

Like Jacob, like Jesus, like the man who was a patient on the maternity ward, and like so many others, it is now recognized in the form of testimony (1 John 1:1-3) how that

“on the darkest, longest night, it is enough to find love…”

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ (Rom 8:35)

And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. (Eph 3:19)

When depression settles upon the soul, it is no evidence that God has changed. He is “the same yesterday, and today, and forever.” You are sure of the favor of God when you are sensible of the beams of the Sun of righteousness; but if the clouds sweep over your soul, you must not feel that you are forsaken. Your faith must pierce the gloom. Your eye must be single, and your whole body shall be full of light. The riches of the grace of Christ must be kept before the mind. Treasure up the lessons that His love provides. Let your faith be like Job’s, that you may declare, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him.” Lay hold on the promises of your heavenly Father, and remember His former dealing with you and with His servants; for “all things work together for good to them that love God.” –RH, Jan 24, 1888. {2MCP 496.1}

God’s love is total, says Paul. It reaches every corner of our experience. It is wide—it covers the breadth of our own experience, and it reaches out to the whole world. God’s love is long—it continues the length of our lives. It is high—it rises to the heights of our celebration and elation. His love is deep—it reaches to the depths of discouragement, despair, and even death. When you feel shut out or isolated, remember that you can never be lost to God’s love. For another prayer about God’s immeasurable and inexhaustible love, see Paul’s words in Rom 8:38-39.

Find THIS LOVE in your night.

Amen, come soon Lord Jesus.

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Reading Time: 9 minutes

“I showed before him my trouble.” (Psalms 142:1-2)
“I cry out to the LORD. I beg the LORD to help me.  I tell him my problems;I tell him about my troubles. .” (Psalms 142:1-2, ERV)

Exactly what the trouble of the psalmist was it is impossible for us to say. His trouble was clear, very bitter, hard to swallow. An overwhelmed spirit was the result. A determined resolve to tell the Lord his problems was borne of this anguish. Talking to Jesus as a Friend the solution. The automatic response.

We may also infer from what the Bible says about Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” (2 Cor 12:7 ) that there is a lot we don’t know about it. There is much we cannot know about our own trials. Our pain. Our grief. Let alone anyone elses. Paul’s thorn in the flesh predicament suggests that some things are always confusing. Jesus says

“You don’t know what I am doing now. But later you will understand.” (John 13:7)

Under The Cloud.

We are all under a cloud. We now live “under the shadow of The Almighty.” (Psalms 91:1, ERV) Left to us as a mystery, we are then free to apply this “thorn in the flesh” idea to ourselves. Meaning, the vagueness of the Bible is often of a deliberate intention by the author. In order that we may be able fit ourselves within its words for every variety of human needs that we experience. We expect the vagueness. We act on the opportunity. We respond with gratitude.

God is a shelter, a refuge when we are afraid. The Psalmist felt that his faith in God as protector would carry him through all the dangers and fears of life. This should be a picture of our trust too. Trading all our fears for faith in Jesus. No matter how intense our fears. To do this we must “live” and “rest” with him (Psalms 91:1).

Don’t think there is a plan against you because the people say there is. Don’t be afraid of what they fear. Don’t let them frighten you!” (Isa 8:12, ERV)

Recall how Moses saw a thick dark cloud and he went right into the heart of it! Thats where the Bible said “God was.” (Exodus 19:9)

And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was.(Exodus 20:21)

We entrust ourselves to the protection of Jesus. Pledging our daily devotion to Him, we always find that we receive what we need for each situation we are in.

Jesus said, “Let not your heart stay troubled.” Jesus was not contemplating some kind of exemption for His own followers. Jesus knew there would be troubles in their lives; what He enjoined was an untroubled heart. To an untroubled heart amid the thronging troubles of our lives is to be of the same practice of the psalmist.

Showing It Before Him

A courageous person does not show their troubles before all the world. They try to hide them and keep a smiling face for the purpose to not be a discouragement to others. To show before the Lord our troubles in the quiet moment, behind the closed door. That is one of the secrets for “the peace beyond understanding.” ( Phil 4:7)

The Comfort of Having a Friend to Listen

“I have not had a friend for over three years.”

An acquaintance I chatted with last night told me

“I am so lonely. I have not had a friend in over three years.

It was heart breaking to listen to this man say “I have no friends.” I found it very sad. I wondered what it would be like to not have a friend, let alone for three years.

In a special sense, one of the duties of friendship is to lend a listening ear.

The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD hath made even both of them. (Prov 20:12)

It is an incomparable comfort. When troubles are depressing us to the point where we must have someone in whom we can confide, to sit with us. We could call this comfort a beginning for that “peace that passes our understanding?” (Phil 4:7)

We are born for adversity, There is opportunity and blessing in every trial. While a helping hand may be a blessed thing, (Prov 3:27) a helping heart is often better. We say far more by listening than talking.

If we have someone to open our hearts to we experience the comfort of Jesus. The certainty of perfect understanding, total trust. One of the choicest gifts of human life. Rich or poor. Comfort is welcome. How often we bring comfort by only listening!

The Almighty LORD will teach me what to say, so I will know how to encourage weary people. Morning after morning he will wake me to listen like a student. (Isa 50:4, GW)

There is one major way to listen when talking. And that is by asking questions. This is how one “listens like a student.” (Isa 50:4)

Anyone can live with “good courage.” (Deut 31:6). Discover relief of their trouble. We pour it all out, if only for an minute, into God’s listening and sympathetic ear. Into God’s loving heart.

“Be strong and of a good courage. Fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, He it is that goes with thee; He will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. (Deut 31:6)

Now it was that very easing which David found in God. David showed before God his trouble. He was honest. David did not brood on it in solitary bitterness. Here we see a King. Laying it very quiet before God. No. David’s trouble did not disappear. The trouble didn’t disappear any more than the thorn of the Apostle. David gained a sweet serenity of spirit which made him capable of bearing anything. David talked to God like he would a friend.

And, indeed, that is the real victory of faith and of all who have quieted to wait on God. It may not banish all the trouble, but it always brings the power to bear it in calmness and serenity. There is a deep-rooted feeling in the heart that if we are God’s, we ought to have exemption. From being “under the shadow.” Yet this is where God is. This is where God puts us many times for our own best good.

Troubles That Afflict The Faithless Soul.

People who do not know Jesus are not averted by Christians who are faithful. (Mat 5:45) The sufferings of God’s beloved Son proclaimed that this is so. Everyone, the justified and the unjust suffers similar calamities and blessings. David was not protected from life’s troubles, nor was Paul, or our Blessed Savior. David knew, in all its bitterness, what a thing of trouble our human life may contain.

King David’s victory.

The testimony of all the saints who have learned to show their trouble before God. We see the inward peace that the world can never give and the darkest mile can never take away. (John 14;27) God does not save His children from that dark mile. He saves His children in that dark mile. (Micah 7:8)

Micah showed great faith in God both for himself (Mic 7:7) and on Israel’s behalf. (Mic 7:8-10) As he proclaimed that he would wait upon God. Knowing that God hears and saves when the help requested glorifies God.

There is light in every cloud.

Do you know when God dispatches them, And causes the light of His cloud to shine? (Job 37:15)

Whenever we show our trouble before Jesus, He shows His loving kindness to us. This is our Light. In many remarkable ways. Jesus will keep His people from an embittered heart. Jesus puts beneath them the everlasting arms. (Deut 33:27). Jesus makes people more than conquerors through Christ. (Rom 8:37)

God Cares

King David, like Abraham, had seen the day of Christ. His personal trouble was of concern to God. The Psalmist was comfortable in laying it all out before God. To “show it all before Him.” Hezekiah also found favor before God by doing the same:

Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers. And read it; and Hezekiah went up to the house of the LORD, and spread it before the LORD. (2 Kings 19:14)

The people of God are all one mind on this subject. Of one mind. (Zech 7:9, 1 Pet 3:8)

“This is what the LORD All-Powerful said: ‘You must do what is right and fair. You must be kind and show mercy to each other. (Zech 7:9, ERV)
So all you should live together in peace. Try to understand each other. Love each other like brothers and sisters. Be kind and humble. (1 Pet 3:8, ERV)

Throughout the Old Testament, The New Testament. The insistence was always on the majesty of God for true believers. The way believers treat one another shows God’s majesty the best. Nations would be of one mind about the majesty of God. Individuals would reflect this one mind. Like Abraham, Hezekiah, the Psalmist. The nations who sought Gods glory, formed God’s kingdom. In one example Psalms 63:2 David proclaims:

I have looked for You in the sanctuary, To see Your power and Your glory.

There is often a troubled and persecuted soul near us. In many nations. In many individuals. It would seem that most believe how the God of all the earth has a heart responsive to their own, personal trouble. They never dream it is a thing too petty for the concern of the infinite Jehovah. With a quiet confidence, like the psalmist, they showed it all before God. To Him who was the Maker of Heaven and Earth.

In that day people will look to their Maker and turn their eyes to the Holy One of Israel. (Isa 17:7)

The wonderful thing is how this faith of David in the individual loving care of God is evident. It shows confirmation by David’s greater Son. It reveals God’s people, through God’s Word, defeating the forces of darkness.

“…By the blood of the Lamb and by The Word of their testimony.” (Rev 12;11)

Not a sparrow can fall without our Father’s notice and care. The very hairs of our head show how God knows. God cares. God has even counted them! If we, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto our children, how much more our Father?

Though you are evil, you still know how to give good gifts to your children. How much more will your Father in Heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! (Mat 7:11)
Though you are evil, you still know how to give good gifts to your children. How much more will your Father in Heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:13)

Would it not be well to cultivate gratitude, and to offer grateful songs of thanksgiving to God? In response to our troubles? As Christians we ought to praise God much more than we do. We ought to bring more of the brightness of His love into our lives.

We should now acquaint ourselves with God by proving His promises. Angels record every prayer that is earnest and sincere. We should rather dispense with selfish gratifications than neglect communion with God. The deepest poverty. The greatest self-denial, with His approval. Is better than riches, honors, ease, and friendship without it. We must take time to pray. If we allow our minds to thrive on worldly interests. The Lord may give us time by removing from us our idols of gold, of houses, or of fertile lands. {GC 622.2}

By faith we look to Jesus. His joy and peace reflect from our own countenances. We should seek so to relate ourselves to God that our faces may reflect the sunshine of His love!

The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace. (Num 6:26)

Each soul has an actual lived experience. led by the Holy Spirit. We may exert an uplifting influence upon others who don’t know the joy of Christ’s presence. Said David,

“Come and hear, all who fear God, and I will declare what He hath done for my soul” (Psalms 66:16, 1 John 1:1-3)

In 1 John 1:1-3 John was an eye witness to Jesus’ life. John had lived with Jesus, having personal, physical contact with Jesus. He knew beyond any doubt that Jesus brings light and life. “In Him was life, and the life was the Light of humanity.”

Communion with God imparts to the soul an intimate knowledge of his will. But many who profess the faith know not what true conversion is. They have no experience in communion with the Father through Jesus Christ. They have never felt the power of divine grace to sanctify the heart. Praying. Sinning. Sinning. Praying. Lives full of malice, deceit, envy, jealousy, and self-love. Anything but God’s majesty.

The prayers of this class are an abomination to God. True prayer engages the energies of the soul, and affects the life. (2 Cor 5:17)

WE MUST TAKE TIME TO PRAY.

We should now acquaint ourselves with God by proving His promises. Angels record every prayer that is earnest and sincere. We should rather dispense with selfish gratifications than neglect communion with God. The deepest poverty. The greatest self-denial. With His approval, is better than riches, honors, ease, and friendship without it. We must take time to pray.—(GC 622.)

Anyone can thus pour out their wants before God. And feel the emptiness of everything else under heaven. “All my desire is before thee,” said David, “and my groaning is not hid from thee.”

“My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when must I come and appear before God?” “When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me.” (Psalm 38:9; 42:2, 4)

A Christian can see in that precious teaching, how someone could write in childlike trust:

“I showed before him my trouble.” (Psalms 142:1-2)

Reading Time: 8 minutes

“…you shall not go out with haste…” (Isa 52:12)

It is unlikely that we have begun to understand the amazing power there is in stillness. I know I am always in such a hurry. I must always be doing something in high gear. So much so to the point where I am often in danger of not giving God a chance to work.

As Christians, we can depend upon it. God would never say to us: “Be still” or “sit still” or “stand still” unless He is going to do something! Something Big! And this is one of my biggest troubles in the Christian life. I keep wanting to do something to be a Christian, to “do God’s work,” when I really need to just slow down, wait, and let Jesus work in me, or in someone or somewhere else. I wonder, how long is it going to take me to learn to sit still, and let God have free course to do something in me. To trust Him to be able to do what I cannot? Do we as Christians really know how still we must be when our likeness is being taken? God has one over riding purpose; that we might be like Jesus. After all, isnt this what a Christian is? Someone who is like Jesus?

One of the most interesting things about this verse today from Isaiah 52:12 is really quite a remarkable revelation. We have all heard the candied mantras of relationship Gurus who say things like “don’t walk behind me and be my follower, don’t walk in front of me and make me follow you, but just walk beside me and be my friend.” But this can sometimes seem a bit like not standing still.It sounds really busy and hectic at times. In our opening text the people were told:

“You will leave Babylon, but they will not force you to leave in a hurry. You will not be forced to run away. The LORD will be in front of you. The God of Israel will be behind you.” (ERV)

What struck me so dramatically here is that the text says God will be BOTH behind and in front of them! And that can mean only one thing, that we, as Christians are surrounded by His love. We are completely surrounded when we follow God’s will. When we “stand still. And “see the salvation of the Lord.” (Exodus 14:13, 2 Chron 20:14) Not just in other people. But us. “Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord in YOU.”

Moses was greatly troubled that his people should manifest so little faith in God, notwithstanding they had repeatedly witnessed the manifestation of His power in their behalf. How could they charge upon him the dangers and difficulties of their situation, when he had followed the express command of God?  True, there was no possibility of deliverance unless God Himself should interpose for their release; but having been brought into this position in obedience to the divine direction, Moses felt no fear of the consequences. His calm and assuring reply to the people was, “Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will show to you today: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen today, ye shall see them again no more forever. The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.” {PP 284.1}

Completely Surrounded By God’s Love And Caring

As the mountains surround Jerusalem, So the Lord surrounds His people From this time forth and forever. (Psalm 125:2)

“You are my hiding place; You preserve me from trouble;You surround me with songs of deliverance.” (Psalms 32:7)

“since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us…fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Heb 12:1-2)

 

“For I,’ declares the Lord, ‘will be a wall of fire around her, and I will be the glory in her midst.’” (Zech 2:5)

You have enclosed me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me.(Psalms 139:5)

Sometimes when we become impatient of standing still, of waiting on God’s time, God’s ways, we can become hostile, despairing, unhappy, or even worse. But God, in His Word is encouraging us to quiet down, to quietly realize that we are surrounded by His love,and we are merely waiting and watching for the wonderful way that God is going to help and rescue us from whatever mess we are in. When it looks like we are trapped by circumstances, the best advice we can know is to simply stand still and watch God rescue us. To watch God do a new thing.

“The Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, says, “If you come back to me you will be saved. Only by remaining calm and trusting in me can you be strong.” But you don’t want to do that.” (Isa 30:15, ERV)

Here, God warned Judah that turning to Egypt and other nations for military might could not save them. Only God could do that. They must wait for him “in quietness and confidence.” No amount of fast talking or hasty activity could speed up God’s grand design. We can have nothing to say to God but thank you. Salvation comes from God alone. (Gal 6:14, Eph 2:13) Because he has saved us, we can trust him and be peacefully confident that he will give us strength to face our difficulties. We should lay aside our well-laid plans and allow Jesus to act.

Perhaps this is why when Johnny Apple Seed was asked what he would do if he learned that Jesus was coming tomorrow, he replied: “I would just keep planting my apple trees.” He knew the secret of Stand Still, Slow Down, Be Quiet.

The whole Bible tells us that true Christians are brand-new people on the inside. The Holy Spirit gives them new life, new purposes, and they are not the same anymore. We are not reformed, rehabilitated, or reeducated—we are re-created (new creations), living in vital union with Christ (Col 2:6-7). At conversion we do not merely turn over a new leaf; we begin a new life under a new Master.

Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. (Isa 43:19)

“If anyone is in Christ Jesus, ALL things become new.” (2 Cor 5:17)

Are you feeling stuck in a rut? Not sure of God’s will. Then Stand Still, Slow Down, And Be Quiet. A new exodus will take place in your life through the new wilderness that The Holy Spirit Himself will lead you to and through. The past miracles that we read about in scripture, all of the previous victories in our lives are nothing compared to what God intends to do for us and in us and through us in the future!

Let us take care that we do not thwart God’s purpose in our lives. We were made to show forth His praise, (Isa 43:21); but we must beware of causing a revoking of His gracious purpose (See Num 14:34, R.V. margin): by prayerlessness, Isa 43:22; by the neglect of little things, Isa 43:23; by the lack of sweetness and tenderness in our disposition, (Isa 43:24).

Christ will be with you as you strive to strengthen your perceptive faculties, that you may more clearly behold the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world. Our stunted faculties that steal away our hope and our direction in life must be aroused. A new thing must happen. The Old Testament scriptures, blending with the New, will be to us in this our day and age as the dawning of a new creation, or as the resurrection of the soul.

Jesus said of the Old Testament Scriptures–and how much more it is true of the New–“They are they which testify of me” (John 5:39). Yes, the whole Bible tells us of Christ. From the first record of creation, for “without him was not any thing made that was made” (John 1:3), to the closing promise, “Behold, I come quickly” (Revelation 22:12), we are reading of His works and listening to His voice, and realizing His will. If you would become acquainted with the Savior, study the Holy Scriptures.

Don’t be afraid or doubt God when it seems your life is nothing but dark clouds of confusion and hardship. A true wilderness experience. It just may be that you are in fact completely surrounded by God’s love as was Moses when he directly, deliberately went right into the dark cloud in his life. Because Moses knew the secret that he was completely surrounded by those clouds, and more importantly, Moses knew that thats exactly, right where God was:

“Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was” (Exodus 20:21).

God still has His hidden secrets, hidden from even the wise and prudent. Do not fear them; be content to accept things that you cannot understand; wait patiently. Stand Still, Slow Down, And Be Quiet. Presently He will reveal to you “the treasures of darkness,” the riches of the glory of the mystery. Mystery is only the veil of God’s face. Mystery is the means of God’s “new thing” that He wants to do!

Treasures Of Darkness

Never be afraid to enter the cloud that is settling down on your life. God is in it. (Heb 13:5).  Remember, there IS light in every cloud! The other side of your cloud is radiant with God’s glory.

“Think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you; but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings.”

When you seem loneliest and most forsaken, God is near. God is in the dark cloud. Plunge into the blackness of its darkness without flinching; under the shrouding curtain of His pavilion, when you are completely surrounded, you will find Jesus awaiting you, for He has promised:

I will give you the treasures of darkness And hidden riches of secret places, That you may know that I, the LORD, Who call you by your name, Am [also your God](Isa 45:3, NKJV)

 

“Thus says the Lord to His anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden,to subdue nations before him;to open before him the two-leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut; I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron: and I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places,that thou mayest know that I,the Lord, which call thee by thy name,am the God of Israel.” (Isa 45:1-3).

Are we just so busy, or so troubled, that we are getting in Gods way? It looks like our Lord wants to do a lot for us, and that we are completely surrounded by the tokens of His divine favor and His “everlasting love.” (Jer 31:3). God always reaches toward his people with kindness motivated by His deep and everlasting love. He is eager to do the best for us if we would only let him. If we would just give it all up. If we would realize that there is nothing we can do. That we are completely surrounded. If we would Stand Still, Slow Down, And Be Quiet.

In Scripture we are assured that divine favor would be shown to us, just like the remnant of Judah, in answer to fervent prayer. “I will be found of you, saith the Lord: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the Lord; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.”(Jer 29:14,PK 552.3)

Often had Daniel and his companions gone over the prophecies outlining God’s purpose for His people. And just as the rapid course of events signalled the mighty hand of God at work among the nations, Daniel gave special thought to the promises God had made to Israel. His faith in the prophetic word led him to enter into many experiences of the very thick, dark clouds foretold by the sacred writers. Yet all Daniel had to do was to Stand Still,Slow Down, And Be Quiet.

“After seventy years be accomplished at Babylon,” the Lord had declared,”I will visit you, and perform My good word toward you, in causing you to return. I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace,and not of evil,to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon Me, and ye shall go and pray unto Me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall search for Me with all your heart.” (Jer 29:10-13).

God says that we already have an expected end/purpose. We dont need to find what is already in place. Surely, it must be time for some of us to Stand Still, Slow Down, And Be Quiet!

Reading Time: 6 minutes

Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day. (John 11:24)

Martha, one of my favorite women in the Bible looked upon the resurrection and the life as things that were to be in some dim and misty future. But as the scripture record reveals, Jesus said: “No,”

“I am [NOW] the resurrection and the life. Not only do I get these things by prayer from God, but I am these things.” And then he goes on to explain it. He says, “I am the resurrection. Anyone that believes in me, though they were dead, yet shall they live. I am the life. Whosoever lives and believes in me shall never die; they will live.” (John 11:25)

I recall once some years ago during my nursing days, standing by the bedside of an elderly man who was dying. It was the night shift, and as I watched his life current slowly ebb from his emaciated body, I saw an old well used Bible on his bedside table. I asked “George, is it OK if I look in your Bible for a few minutes.” He couldnt speak but he nodded a yes.

I opened up George’s Bible and the very first thing I saw was the following text scrawled on the inside front cover in George’s very shaky looking hand writing:

“I gave up all that inferior stuff so I could know Christ personally, experience his resurrection power, be a partner in his suffering, and go all the way with him to death itself.” (Phil 3:10, Message)

What an amazing text for me to discover just at that exact time & place with old George!

I have never forgotten this experience, that text, over the last 25 years. It has stood silently, steadfastly with me through every dark trial.

Jesus once said “I will rise again,” and His experience is to be our experience. The comfort, the assurance, and the power of this one promise, can help anyone at the very point of whatever felt needs are present in their lives. When I lost a loved one a few years ago, this was the very experience that we both had leaned heavily on:

For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will also bring with Him all those who have fallen asleep through Jesus. For we say this to you by the Word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord shall not go before those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air. And so we shall ever be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words. (1 Thes 4: 14-18, MKJV)

What did Paul mean when he wrote, “We tell you this directly from the Lord”? (vs 15)

Either this was something that the Lord had revealed directly to Paul, or it was a teaching of Jesus that had been passed along orally by the apostles and other Christians.

It was at the bedside of a dying man where this truth was not only passed on to me; but at the point of George’s last breath that night, it became a lived experience, rather than a stale doctrine, or some contested theology.

I have sometimes wondered over the years how my friend could have faced his death with such assurance. He had horrible pain in the end, and his body was marred with the ravages of his disease. And he was alone. No family would come to see him in his last moments. There was no visible sign that he was “happy in the Lord” and trusting in Jesus as he left this life behind. Or was there? Perhaps his yes that he nodded to me when I asked to look in his Bible was the thing that showed He knew Jesus? And that he wanted me to know Him better too?

But when George said “Yes” to my request to look inside his Bible, that my friends was his moment of greatest power. That “yes” is the very definition of “I will rise again.” And it was my personal moment to rise again unto the “lively hope” of the resurrection power, for both this life, and the life to come.

As believers in Jesus today, we too have the opportunity for our moment of greatest power. There is opportunity, for anyone, no matter how rotten they are, to “rise again.” This is why the Bible calls the resurrection our “lively” or “living hope.” Because  Jesus is risen! (Mat 1:21), Because Jesus is “the living God” (Psalms 42:2) of our life today:

Praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is so good, and by raising Jesus from death, he has given us new life and a hope that lives on. (1 Pet 1:3, CEV)

Do you need encouragement?

Peter’s words offer such powerful joy and hope in times of trouble, and he bases his confidence on what God has done for us in Christ Jesus. We live with the wonderful expectation of eternal life (1 Pet 1:3). Our hope is not only for the future; because eternal life begins when we first trust Christ. Like my Grandmother used to say: Heaven begins on Earth.” Especially when we recognize along with the psalmist:

Why am I discouraged? Why am I restless? I trust you! And I will praise you again because you help me, (Psalms 42:5)

The Psalmist was rising again when he poured out those words! And when we rise again in our experience, we too will express new or renewed confidence in Jesus! When we pour out our hearts to Jesus. After all, “prayer is the opening of the heart to God, as to a friend.”

My greatest moments of power, my personal experiences of rising again out of whatever horrible pit I have been, in are always when I hear that same “yes,” from someone who cares enough to be there, and recognize that that yes, is just how Jesus will help me too.

“By this shall all people know that you are My disciples, if you have love one for another…” (John 13:35)

My personal best  antidote for spiritual depression is to meditate on the record of God’s goodness to His people. And to myself. (Rev 12:10-11) This will help take your mind off the present situation as you focus your thoughts on God’s ability, on God’s power, to help you rather than trying to count on your own inability to help yourself. This process is called “rise again.” (2 Cor 5:17) Why not take advantage of the Psalmist’s effectual antidepressant? The Bible accounts of God’s goodness, always give us something at least one step higher than where we are currently.

When I have stood watching death invade, my darkest thoughts oppressed me deeply, buried me in darkness.  George’s “YES” turned my heart to God and in touching Jesus in such a very affectionate way like that, I started to rise again. I stopped feeling alone in my situation. This kind of Holy Love to Jesus as our main foundation in life, is the very power of Godliness. The very life and soul of all of us.

I didn’t realize for years how wrong I was about God, until I heard His “yes” through my dying friend, and my tortured heart began to rise again. Standing at George’s bedside,  was my moment of greatest power. Through a few tears then, Jesus had just taught me very affectionately to know the worth and power of His everlasting mercies. Simply by providing me with the the very acute wanting of them!  Of a truth, His mercies are new every morning! (Lam 3;23)

What power on earth can take that away from any one of us? Scripture asserts how that “nothing can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus.”

And you dont have to be a Christian to “rise again!” You just have to be in need, and acutely feel the need for God’s mercy:

keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. (Jude 1:21)

Do you want to rise out of your darkest experiences? To know and trust Jesus not inspite of them, but because of them?

God’s yes to each of us today would be in His longing for, and providing for us to live close to Him, and to His people, and in giving up our trust of false teachers and any other dark souls who would try to pull us away from God.

And now to him who can keep you on your feet, standing tall in his bright presence, fresh and celebrating—to our one God, our only Savior, through Jesus Christ, our Master, be glory, majesty, strength, and rule before all time, and now, and to the end of all time. YES! (Jude 1:24-25, Message)

My friends, God wants to say “yes” to you now. God has a special plan for you to rise again! Just like He had for Jesus!

NOW can be your moment of greatest power.

“To them that received Him gave He power to become the sons and daughters of God! (John 1:12)

Reading Time: 5 minutes

Where Is The Secret Place?

Those who dwell in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. (Psalms 91:1, NKJV)

“dwelleth in the secret place” denotes someone’s rest in Christ. This text in Psalms 91:1 for example refers to “living under the shadow of The Almighty.” By mentioning this “secret place” and by being in the secret place, it has to refer to a person who trusts in God. The one who lives close to Him. The one who lives “under the shadow.”

The title in Psalms 91:1 of “Most High” emphasizes God’s majesty (Psalms 92:1) and is parallel to the term Almighty, a translation of the divine title Shaddai. Together the terms Most High and Shaddai speak of God as a mountain-like majesty, in whose presence there is a “secret place” or a shadow.

My refuge and my fortress may be rephrased as “my secure fortress,” for one example. And as evidenced by Solomon, when he answers: “I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in him will I trust,” (Psalms 91:2).

Many Bible versions also say for Psalms 91:1 “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will REST in the shadow of the Almighty. “Rest in Christ is “the secret place” Psalms 91:1-2, similar to a soliloquy in which the believer states the blessedness of dwelling under God’s sheltering care, and encourages their heart to exercise personal faith; Psalms 91:3-8.

The assurance of a chorus of voices, which emphasize the safety of those who believe; Psalms 91:9, an exclamation in which the believer again expresses their resolve to exercise said personal faith; Psalms 91:9-13, the second assurance of a chorus of reassuring voices; Psalms 91:14-16, God’s ratification of the whole attitude and expressions of the psalmist and his friends.

Perhaps, this “secret place” is called “secret” simply because non-believers cannot see or understand such a thing unless they have that personal faith experience described as “dwelleth in the secret place” — (Psalms 27:5; Psalms 31:20) “Secret place” simply referring to that which denotes nearness to God. Such as do so abide or lodge secure or rest from assaults, and can well use the terms of trust in Psalms 91:2.

When my late wife died in my arms a little over two years ago now, one of our favorite caregivers texted me Psalms 91 and it was certainly appropriate to the occasion. “Yea, though I went through the “valley of the shadow” of death, I will fear no evil; For Jesus is with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. Jesus was with me…I was “in the secret place” I was “under the shadow.” (Psalms 23:4) I was resting in Him.

Living “under the shadow,” dwelling in that “secret place,” that no others could see, I rest in Christ. I trust in Him all the way. Others looking at me then would think “Oh that poor fellow.” Yet, when my loved one drew her last breath while I was holding her in my arms, a great peace washed over me, I was filled with The Holy Spirit, and there were no tears that night. I just knew that everything went the way we had prayed, and that was such a great comfort. To the believer, the shadow is protection, opportunity. To the non believer, the shadow is a tragedy with no hope. And this is what makes it “secret.”

In the secret place of Your presence You hide them from the plots and conspiracies of man; You keep them secretly in a shelter (pavilion) from the strife of tongues. (Psalms 31:20 AMP)

those that fear the Lord and trust in him; are therefore called his “hidden ones”, Psalms 83:3; these the Lord preserves in times of trouble and danger, and when his indignation is out against others. The Targum reads, “in the time of thine anger;” see Isa 26:20; the presence of God is their protection, he himself is a wall of fire round about them, his favor compasses them as a shield, and they are kept as in a garrison by his power; (see Psalms 91:1); protected “from the pride of man”, which otherwise would at once oppress, bear them down, and destroy them, Psalms 124:1

They concoct crafty schemes against Your people, And conspire together against Your hidden and precious ones. (Psalms 83:3), not hidden from the Lord, and unknown unto him, though. But from their enemies, and being unknown by them, the object of their hatred and persecution; but hidden by him as his jewels and peculiar treasure, which he takes care of; hidden under the shadow of his wings, in the secret of his presence and tabernacle, as in a pavilion; and therefore it was a daring piece of insolence in their enemies to attack them: so the life of saints is said to be hid with Christ in God, which denotes both its secrecy and safety; see Col 3:3

“For you died, and your life is now HIDDEN with Christ in God.”

To “think about the things of heaven” (Col 3:2) means to look at life from God’s perspective and to seek what he desires. This would certainly be the “secret place” where God’s people live “under the shadow.”

It was not on the cross only that Christ sacrificed Himself for humanity. As He “went about doing good” (Acts 10:38), every day’s experience was an outpouring of His life. In one way only could such a life be sustained. Jesus lived in dependence upon God and communion with Him. To the secret place of the Most High, under the shadow of the Almighty, men now and then repair; they abide for a season, and the result is manifest in noble deeds; then their faith fails, the communion is interrupted, and the lifework marred. But the life of Jesus was a life of constant trust, sustained by continual communion; and His service for heaven and earth was without failure or faltering. {Ed 80.3}

Jesus lived in dependence upon God and communion with Him. To the secret place of the Most High, under the shadow of the Almighty, men now and then repair; they abide for a season, and the result is manifest in noble deeds; then their faith fails, the communion is interrupted, and the lifework marred. But the life of Jesus was a life of constant trust, sustained by continual communion; and His service for heaven and earth was without failure or faltering. {HP 83.3}

Pray with humble hearts. Seek the Lord often in prayer. In the secret place, alone, the eye sees Jesus and the ear is opened to Jesus. You come forth from the secret place of prayer to abide under the shadow of the Almighty. Temptations come, but you press closer and still closer to the side of Jesus and place your hand in His hand. Then you gain a rich experience, resting in His love and rejoicing in His mercy. The worries and perplexities and cares are gone, and you rejoice in Jesus Christ. The soul is quick to hear the Father’s voice, and you will commune with God. All criticism is banished, all judging of others has been expelled from the soul.{HP 86.4}

See Also: Under The Shadow: Part 1

Reading Time: 4 minutes

1/ Suffering comes with the freedom to choose.

The LORD God put the man in the Garden of Eden to take care of it and to look after it. But the LORD told him, “You may eat fruit from any tree in the garden…(Gen 2:15-16)

When Adam and Eve sinned in The garden Of Eden, it wasnt simply because they doubted God’s Word. At the heart of the problem was the belief that they had enough wisdom in and of themselves, to decide what is good, what is right. They trusted to their own personal judgment, apart from God’s express Word to them personally. Whenever we are thus opposed to God’s Word, trouble will surely ensue. We will always open up ourselves to all sorts of problems

From the outset, people in today,s world can run with one of two choices in life. Interpret our life task as being responsible to society or as being responsible to our own conscience.

A good conscience in work clothes might for example show loving parents who long to protect their children from the pains of being in this world. But wise parents also know the danger of over-protection. They know that the freedom to choose is at the very heart of what it means to be human, and that a world without choice would be by far, worse than a world without pain. Imagine a world populated by people who could make wrong choices without feeling the pain of said choices. No one is more dangerous than the liar, thief, or killer who does not feel the harm or the pain that they are causing.

What is called self-actualization today is not an attainable goal for anyone, no matter what Maslow or anyone else says. For the simple reason that the more one would strive for it, the more they would be sure to miss it. Perhaps, no one can really change some situations that are causing their sufferings. We can still choose our attitude. Our response. For example, I did not choose to get 50% of my body burned, but I did choose to never let those burns and subsequent pain and surgery break me.

In verity, Jesus has always proffered “free choice” to us, just as He did with the first pair in Eden. The Lord has said:

“…choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. (Joshua 24:15)

God gave Adam and Eve responsibility and choice for The Garden and told them not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Rather than physically preventing them both from eating, God gave them a choice and, thus, the possibility of choosing wrongly. God still gives us choices, and we, too, often choose wrong. These wrong choices may cause us pain, but they can help us learn and grow and make better choices in the future. Living with the consequences of our choices teaches us to think and choose more carefully.

“Look! I have set before you today life and prosperity on the one hand, and death and disaster on the other. (Jer 30:15)

Another Bible story, about Saul, also describes for us the path to self-reliance and the trouble that always follows. Samuel anointed Saul as King (1 Sam 10:1), and then he gave Saul specific instructions, (1 Sam 10:8), but Saul chose to disobey. (1 Sam 13:1-14) outlines what Saul did that led to his own downfall. There were three steps taken that led to his downfall. Each one might seem like a little thing, but because they were all taken independently of God, they led to major trouble.

1) Saul said “I saw.” meaning the scattering of his troops and Samuel’s absence. (1 Sam 13:11). Saul was under pressure and he evaluated with his own eyes and understanding what was happening.

2) Saul moved from “I saw,” to “I said,” that the Phillistines would conquer them. (1 Sam 13:12). What Saul saw with his own eyes shaped what he had said or surmised, about the situation that was then at hand. (1 Sam 13;12)

3) Saul then moved from an “I said” to saying “I felt,” compelled to offer a sacrifice. (1 Sam 13:12) What Saul now was thinking in his own wisdom, was now shaping his feelings and his actions in response to said feelings.

We have all done this. Relied on our own human eyesight. Our own thinking and human wisdom, which will always lead us to rely on our own, very faulty human feelings and judgments. And the trouble begins as we act upon those feelings rather than God’s own, express word.

Decision, Choice to Be Based on Evidence.

It is not the plan of God to compel people to yield their wicked unbelief. Before them are light and darkness, truth and error. It is for them to decide which to accept. The human mind is endowed with power to discriminate between right and wrong. God designs that we shall not decide from impulse, but from weight of evidence, carefully comparing scripture with scripture (Redemption: or the Miracles of Christ, pp. 112, 113).

There is no greater deception than for humanity to suppose that in any difficulty we can find a better guide than God, a wiser counselor in any emergency, a stronger defense under any circumstance (MS 66, 1898). {2BC 993.3}