“Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him” (Psalms 37:7).
rest in the Lord Psalms 37:7
Have you prayed and prayed and waited and waited, and still there is no manifestation? Are you still waiting for God? Are you tired of seeing nothing move? Are you just at the point of giving it all up?
Perhaps we have not waited in the right way? This would take us out of the right place. The place where Jesus can meet you personally.
“With patience wait” (Rom 8:25).
Did you know there are many benefits to “waiting?” “Patience” has many rewards?
Patience takes away worry. Jesus said He would come, and His promise is equal to His presence. Patience takes away our weeping. Why feel sad and despondent? Jesus knows your need better than you do, and His purpose in waiting is to bring more glory out of it all. Patience takes away self-works. The work He desires is that you “believe” (John 6:29), and when you believe, you may then know that all is well. Patience takes away all want. Your desire for the thing you wish is perhaps stronger than your desire for the will of God to be fulfilled in its arrival.
Patience takes away all weakening. Instead of having the delaying time, a time of letting go, know that God is getting a larger supply ready and must get us ready too. Patience takes away all our wobbling.
“Make me stand upon my standing” (Dan 8:18, margin).
In some of Daniel’s testimony as to what happened to him here in vision, he tells us what the angel did after he lost his natural strength:
“He strengthened me.” Dan 10:18.
“I was strengthened.” Dan 10:19.
“Thou has strengthened me.” Dan 10:19.
“Be strong, yea, be strong.” Dan 10:19.
There are, herein, three urgent requirements for us all:
(1) Wisdom to act and speak wisely in the hour of trial
(2) faith that refuses to respond to the surging billows of doubt
(3) humility and contentment with God’s dealings
In making His servants the prophets fit channels for the transmission of the divine message, God deprives them of everything that might indicate human strength and power; then He Himself empowers them with His own strength, and so the more effectively can He use them as He desires. This would be one of may examples of patience and her “perfect work.”
But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.(James 1:4)
We can’t really know the depth of our character until we see how we react under pressure. It is easy to be kind to others when everything is going well, but can we still be kind when others are treating us unfairly? God wants to make us mature and complete, not to keep us from all pain. Instead of complaining about our struggles, we should see them as opportunities for growth. Thank God for promising to be with you in rough times. Ask him to help you solve your problems or to give you the strength to endure them. Then be patient. God will not leave you alone with your problems; Jesus will stay close and help you grow. (2 Pet 3:18,Heb 13:5)
God’s foundations are steadfast and when His patience is within, we are steadfast while we wait. Patience gives worship. Patience with praise is often “long-suffering with joyfulness” (Col 1:11) is the best part of it all.
“…from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; (Col 1:9-11)
How complete this prayer is! There is no limit to the blessings that it is our privilege to receive. We may be “filled with the knowledge of his will.” God’s Holy Educating Spirit would never have inspired Paul to offer this prayer in behalf of his brethren, if it had not been possible for them to receive an answer from God in accordance with the request. Since this is so, we can know that God’s will is manifested to His people whenever they need a clearer understanding of His will.
“Let (all these phases of) patience have her perfect work” (James 1:4) while you wait, and you will find great blessings that you can share with others. (Rev 12:11, 1 John 1:1-3)
Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday. Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the person who carries out evil devices! (Psalms 37:4-7)
To delight in someone means to experience great pleasure and joy in his or her presence. This happens only when we know that person well. Thus, to delight in the Lord, we must know him better. Knowledge of God’s great love for us will indeed give us delight. To commit ourselves to the Lord means entrusting everything—our lives, families, jobs, possessions—to his control and guidance. To commit ourselves to the Lord means to trust in him (Psalms 37:5), believing that he can care for us better than we can ourselves. We should be willing to wait patiently (Psalms 37:7) for him to work out what is best for us.
Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”(Deut 31:6)
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. (Mat 6:33-34)
power of His resurrection” (Phil 3:10)
Jesus looks upon every soul who is turning their face toward Him as the Savior. He knows by experience what are the weaknesses of humanity, what are our wants, and where lies the strength of our temptations; for He was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. He is watching over you, trembling child of God. Are you tempted? He will deliver. Are you weak? He will strengthen. Are you ignorant? He will enlighten. Are you wounded? He will heal. The Lord “tells the number of the stars;” and yet “He heals the broken in heart, and binds up their wounds.” Psalm 147:4,3.
“Come unto Me,” is His invitation. Whatever your anxieties and trials, spread out your case before the Lord. Your spirit will be braced for endurance. The way will be opened for you to disentangle yourself from embarrassment and difficulty. The weaker and more helpless you know yourself to be, the stronger will you become in His strength. The heavier your burdens, the more blessed the rest in casting them upon the Burden Bearer. The rest that Christ offers depends upon conditions, but these conditions are plainly specified. They are those with which all can comply. He tells us just how His rest is to be found. {DA 329.1}
“Take My yoke upon you,” Jesus says. The yoke is an instrument of service. Cattle are yoked for labor, and the yoke is essential that they may labor effectually. By this illustration Christ teaches us that we are called to service as long as life shall last. We are to take upon us His yoke, that we may be co-workers with Him. {DA 329.2}
The yoke that binds to service is the law of God. The great law of love revealed in Eden, proclaimed upon Sinai, and in the new covenant written in the heart, is that which binds the human worker to the will of God. If we were left to follow our own inclinations, to go just where our will would lead us, we should fall into Satan’s ranks and become possessors of his attributes. Therefore God confines us to His will, which is high, and noble, and elevating. He desires that we shall patiently and wisely take up the duties of service.
The yoke of service Christ Himself has borne in humanity. He said, “I delight to do Thy will, O My God: yea, Thy law is within My heart.” Psalm 40:8. “I came down from heaven, not to do Mine own will, but the will of Him that sent Me.” John 6:38. Love for God, zeal for His glory, and love for fallen humanity, brought Jesus to earth to suffer and to die. This was the controlling power of His life. This principle He bids us adopt. {DA 329.3}
Your bars shall be iron and bronze, and as your days, so shall your strength be. (Deut 33:25)
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. (Mat 11:28-29, MSG)
The dew is a source of freshness. It is nature’s provision for renewing the face of the earth. It falls at night, in the dark. And without it the vegetation would die. It is this great value of the dew which is so often recognized in the Scriptures. It is used as the symbol of spiritual refreshing. Just as nature is bathed in dew, so the Lord renews His people. In Titus 3:5 the same thought of spiritual refreshing is connected with the ministry of the Holy Spirit– “renewing of the Holy Spirit.”
Many Christian workers do not recognize the importance of the Heavenly dew in their lives, and as a result they lack freshness and vigor. Their spirits are wilting for lack of dew.
Brothers and Sisters in Christ. We all recognize the folly of a working person attempting to do their day’s work without eating. In a similar way, we can recognize the folly of a Christian attempting to minister to others without eating of the heavenly manna themselves. How could it suffice to have spiritual nourishment, just occasionally? Every day we must receive the renewing of God’s Holy Educating Holy Spirit. We all know when our whole being is pulsating with the vigor and freshness of Divine life, and sadly too, when we feel wore down and depleted.
God’s holy, educating Spirit is in His word. A light, a new and precious light, shines forth from every page. Truth is there revealed, and words and sentences are made bright and appropriate for the occasion, as the voice of God speaking to the soul. {COL 132.2}
Quietness and absorption bring the dew. At night when the leaf and blade are still, the vegetable pores are open to receive the refreshing and invigorating bath; so too does spiritual dew come from the quiet moments in the Master’s presence. It is everyone’s privilege to be still before Jesus. Our hurrying and rushing will prevent us from receiving the desperately needed morning dew. Wait before God until you feel saturated with His presence; then go forth to your next duty with the conscious freshness and vigor of “the truth as it is in Jesus.”
“…those who wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.(Isa 40:31, AFV)
Dew will never gather while there is either heat or wind. The temperature must fall, and the wind must cease. The air must come to a point of coolness and rest– absolute rest, so to speak– before it can yield up its invisible particles of moisture to water the herb or flower. So too, the grace of God does not come forth to rest our soul until the still point is fairly and fully reached.
For thus said the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.” But you were unwilling, (Isa 30:15, ESV)
In today’s hectic world of craziness and turmoil we may wait for him “in quietness and confidence.” No amount of fast talking or aggressive, hasty activity will ever speed up God’s grand design. As Christians today, we have nothing to say to God but thank you. Salvation comes from God alone. Because he has saved us, and because Christ alone empowers 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 God alone to act.
We need a calm waiting upon God. The need of this is all-important. It is not the noise and bustle we make in the world which proves our usefulness. Let us by our own, personal experience see how silently God works. We cannot usually hear the noise of His steps, and yet He is walking about us, laboring for our good. (Gen 3:8) Jesus did not seek for notoriety; His life-giving virtue was going out to the needy and the afflicted , as the fresh morning dew,through His silent actions, whose influence ended up extending far into all countries of the world, and was felt and expressed in the life of millions of people. Those who desire to labor with God have need of His Spirit every day; they need to walk and labor in meekness and humility of spirit, without seeking to accomplish extraordinary things, satisfied to do the work before them and doing it faithfully. Other people may not see or appreciate their efforts, but the names of these faithful children of God are written in heaven among His noblest workers, as scattering His seed in view of a glorious harvest.
Therefore, I will not neglect to make you always mindful of these things, although you already know them and have been established in the present truth. (2 Pet 1:12)
present truth is eternal
The first chapter of Second Peter is full of instruction, and strikes the keynote of victory. The truth is impressed upon the mind by the way it is presented in this chapter. Let us more abundantly recommend the study of these words, and the practicing of these precepts (Letter 43, 1895). {7BC 942.9}
When it comes to Present Truth, we are not merely to preach new truths which people do not know, but we are also to preach the old truths with which they are already familiar. The doctrines in which they are well established are still to be proclaimed to them. Every wise preacher brings forth from the treasury of truth things both new and old; –new, that the hearers may learn more than they knew before; old, that they may know and practice better that which they do already know in part.
Traditionally, when people talk about present Truth, they get very busy detailing their latest beast watching, Pope speaking, Sunday Law panic and abject fear. Present Truth to most people is simply an aggressive diatribe of fear-mongering and stinging criticisms. The many people who loosely use quotes from Christian writers to “prove” their clouded theology seem to have no idea what the Bible actually says about present truth. They would rather use quotes from anywhere but the Bible to force their pain and misery on everyone around them. People who dare to question such things are quickly whipped with labels like “rejecting present truth,” just because they question the party line, and dare to suggest that present truth is about Jesus. Present truth is about the cross.
The Bible has only one place where the phrase Present Truth is mentioned. It is found in 2 Peter
Therefore, I will not neglect to make you always mindful of these things, although you already know them and have been established in the present truth. (2 Pet 1:12)
To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours: Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly 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, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. (2 Pet 1:1-4)
What a grand theme this is for contemplation–the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. Contemplating Christ and His righteousness leaves no room for self-righteousness, for the glorifying of self. In this chapter there is no standstill. There is continual advancement in every stage of the knowledge of Christ {7BC 942.10}
By the looks of Scripture alone, it is starting to appear like “Present Truth” is primarily about “the righteousness of God and our Savior, Jesus Christ.” Yes, Jesus is involved in a great controvery between good and evil, between Himself and Satan. Yet the thins of Satan are not what God’s people are to dwell upon. By making the devil, the Pope, or Sunday law babble primary in our message, we are ruining present truth and turning it into somthing that it is not. Some of us so love to condemn others by stinging accusations of having rejected “present truth” just because they will not go for our personal version that is filled with religious invectives and fear-mongering that is not in the Bible.
According to Gal 6:14, and Eph 2:13, there is one great central truth to be kept ever before the mind in the searching of the scriptures, and that must be “Christ and Him crucified.” All other truths are invested with power and influence, according to their relationship to this theme.
Let us hold fast the profession of [our] faith without wavering; (for he [is] faithful that promised; (Heb 10:23)
God Behind All His Promises.
Promises are estimated by the truth of the one who makes them. Many people make promises only to break them, to mock the heart that trusted in them. Those who lean upon such people lean upon broken reeds. But God is behind the promises He makes. He is ever mindful of His covenant, and His truth endures to all generations {7BC 942.12}
2 Peter, chapter one is about present truth. It is the only place in the Bible where the phrase present truth is mentioned. Christians would do well to pay closer attention to these words. Now, in 2 Pet 1:12,the Apostle is saying that”for this reason” he will not be negligent to “remind us always of these things.” So let us briefly examine two items from that verse.
1/ “For This Reason” The Bible is telling us that we are to make our calling and election sure. Making our calling and election sure is what present truth is all about. When Peter says “for this reason,” he is referring to our calling and election in Christ:
For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (2 Pet 1:8-11)
That very entrance into the eternal kingdom, according to the next, has everything to do with God’s precious promises and the Bible calls them. We experimentally have a personal relationship experience with Jesus by His divine promises (2 Pet 1:4) which do give us even right now “a way to partake of the divine nature, and to escape all the corruption that is now in the world through wrong desires.
2/ The other thing that our text talks about here (2 Pet 1;12) is how even though we are already established in all of the present truth mentioned before Verse 12, we still need reminding, because in our mortal humanity, thats just how we are. And according to 2 Pet 1:16-21, Christ’s glory also is shown through the prophetic word, some of which we have yet to learn. This is why the Apostle says more than once in this chapter, that we need constant reminders. (see 2 Pet 1:15)
The reason that we need those “precious promises,” is also revealed to us in this chapter of the Bible.
For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Pet 1:5-8)
How can this transformation mentioned in 2 Pet 1:5-7 be accomplished without God’s precious promises? As one Christian writer puts it, “we must NOW acquaint ourselves with God by proving His precious promises.” (Great Controversy, pg 632) THAT my friends is PRESENT TRUTH. Present truth is truth for right now. present truth is for the people of God now. Present truth is how we relate personally to Jesus and get to know Him.
Present Truth And The Prophetic Word
And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own private interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of humanity, but people spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. (2 Pet 1:19-21)
Even when it comes to Bible prophecy, Present truth is always primarily about our Lord Jesus Christ and His righteousness. Christ and Him crucified is the hallmark of all doctrines. Especially Bible prophecy. Could this be why God’s people say things like “Prophecy is not so much about History, as it is “HIS – Story.” This is why Peter said:
For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. (2 Pet 1:16-18)
Here in 2 Pet 1:16 the Apostle talks about “the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ,” and it is this glory and righteousness that He and the disciples had seen with their own eyes. (2 Pet 1:16-17) is where he says that they saw the confirmation by the Holy Spirit of Christ’s power and glory.
For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. (2 Pet 1:17-18)
Its truly a sad state of affairs to see all the beast watchers, Pope Sayers, and Sunday law groupies making such a big push with all their F.E.A.R (False Evidence Appearing Real) because they are rarely in the mood to discuss the central point of Present Truth. They prefer, like our modern media factories, to feed us with fear, and all of the great powers of our enemy, the devil. You can see this all over the internet.
In conclusion, the Apostle calls Bible prophecy “a light that shines in a dark place.” (2 Pet 1:19).
And we need to be careful what we tell people when it comes to Bible prophecy. As one Christian writer puts it, in some cases, we need to refrain from mentioning the more fearful aspects:
In these meetings we should not at first present doctrinal subjects, of which the hearers have no understanding. Hold the attention of the people by presenting the truth as it is in Jesus. The very first and most important thing is to melt and subdue the soul by presenting our Lord Jesus Christ as the sin-pardoning Savior. Keep before the people the cross of Calvary. What caused the death of Christ?–The transgression of the law. Show that Christ died to give men an opportunity to become loyal subjects of his kingdom. {GCDB, March 2, 1899 par. 23}
The Truth About Present Truth
It is always about Jesus. Jesus Himself is present truth.
The Truth as it is in Jesus
If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus. Ephesians 4:21. {LHU 153.1}
When prophets stood in defense of the truth, it was the word of God that was given to them. They understood the work of salvation to be accomplished by the Messiah to come. But after Christ came, after He died as man’s sacrifice, after the typical sacrifices were fulfilled by the Antitype, the old truth in the typical service was revealed more clearly. In Christ, the representative of the Father, a wonderful truth was revealed to the world. The light from the cross of Calvary, reflected back upon the Jewish age, gives character and significance to the whole Jewish economy; and on this side of the cross, in a special manner, we have the truth as it is in Jesus. Truth communicated through our Redeemer becomes indeed present truth. {LHU 153.2}
What a truth is presented as we gaze upon Jesus in connection with the cross of Calvary, as we see this Wonderful, this Counselor, this mysterious Victim, stooping beneath the amazing burden of our race! That the transgressor might have another trial, that people might be brought into favor with God the Father, the eternal Son of God interposed Himself to bear the punishment of transgression. One clothed with humanity, who was yet one with the Deity, was our ransom. The very earth shook and reeled at the spectacle of God’s dear Son suffering the wrath of God for man’s transgression. The heavens were clothed in sackcloth to hide the sight of the Divine Sufferer. {LHU 153.3}
It was the transgression of the law of God that made this suffering necessary. And yet men harbor the thought, and give expression to the suggestions of Satan through those who trample upon the law of God, that all this suffering was to make that law of none effect. Deceived and blinded by the great transgressor, they tell the people that there is no law, or that, if they keep the commandments of God in this dispensation, they have fallen from grace. What a delusion is this that Satan has fastened upon human minds! {LHU 153.4}
When the theory that the law of Jehovah is not binding upon the human family is adopted and taught, man is blinded to his terrible ruin. He cannot discern it. Then God has no moral standard by which to measure character, and to govern the heavenly universe, the worlds unfallen, and this fallen world. Could God have abolished the law in order to meet man in his fallen condition, and yet have maintained His honor as Governor of the universe, Christ need not have died. But the death of Christ is the convincing, everlasting argument that the law of God is as unchanging as His throne {LHU 153.5}
Present Truth is always about “Christ and Him crucified.”
It is not the ready speaker, the sharp intellect, that counts with God. It is the earnest purpose, the deep piety, the love of truth, the fear of God, that has a telling influence. A testimony from the heart, coming from lips in which is no guile, full of faith and humble trust, though given by a stammering tongue, is accounted of God as precious as gold; while the smart speech and eloquent oratory of the one to whom is intrusted large talents, but who is wanting in truthfulness, in steadfast purpose, in purity, in unselfishness, are as sounding brass and a tinkling symbol. He may say witty things, he may relate amusing anecdotes, he may play upon the feelings; but the Spirit of Jesus is not in it. All these things may please unsanctified hearts, but God holds in his hands the balances that weigh the words, the spirit, the sincerity, the devotion, and he pronounces it altogether lighter than vanity. {PH028 26.1}
The truly converted soul is illuminated by the light shining from the Sun of Righteousness. That light tells upon hearts, lightens the pathway, dispels the darkness, because it comes from Him who says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” Let everyone, to a man, now rise, and let his “light so shine before men that they may see his good works, and glorify our Father which is in heaven.” Do what you can, and do it at once, cheerfully, heartily, prayerfully, joyfully, not as unto men, but unto God. Settle it in your hearts that you are not on the earth to exalt self, to make a great name, but to sink self wholly out of sight in Jesus Christ. Let Jesus be lifted up. Let the great truths connected with the salvation of man be the theme of your meditation day and night. Your work, both by precept and example, is to hold forth the word of life, to seek with all your power to bring souls to the knowledge of the truth. {PH028 27.1}
Remember, Bible prophecy is called “a light in a dark place.” That kind of light has to be Jesus! In Christ alone will present truth be made known in all it’s fullness!
As the rays of the sun penetrate to the remotest corners of the globe, so God designs that the light of the gospel shall extend to every soul upon the earth. . . . At this time, when the enemy is working as never before to engross the minds of men and women, we should be laboring with increasing activity. Diligently, disinterestedly, we are to proclaim the last message of mercy in the cities–in the highways and byways. All classes are to be reached. As we labor we shall meet with different nationalities. None are to be passed by unwarned. The Lord Jesus was the gift of God to the entire world–not to the higher classes alone, and not to one nationality, to the exclusion of others. His saving grace encircles the world. Whosoever will, may drink of the water of life. A world is waiting to hear the message of present truth. {AG 338.5}
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them. (Heb 13:8-9)
You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. (2 Pet 3:17-18)
And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. (Mark 4:37)
“by the still waters”
The waves were probably excited by Satan, who, having got the author and all the preachers of the Gospel together in a small vessel, thought by drowning it, to defeat the purposes of God, and thus to prevent the salvation of a ruined world. What a good opportunity this must have appeared to be to the enemy of the human race!
No doubt they baled out the boat with all their might, and did their best, as well seasoned fishermen and sailors, to prevent it from sinking. Yet “ it was now full of water.” But where was their Lord and Master, and what was he doing while the storm was raging?
And he waves in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: (Mark 4:38)
So too, the Christian life may have more stormy weather than calm seas. The disciples needed rest, but they encountered a terrible storm. As Christ’s followers today, let us be prepared for the storms that will surely come. Do not surrender to the stress, or the terrors, but remain resilient and steadfast. Recover from setbacks through Christ. With faith in Christ, you can pray, trust, and move ahead. Push through. When a brutal storm approaches, lean right into the wind and trust God.
Many that have true faith, are weak in it. Christ’s disciples are very prone to be disquieted with fears and terror in a stormy day; to torment themselves that things are getting really bad with them, and with dismal thoughts that they will be worse. Great storms of doubt and fear in the soul, under the power of the spirit of bondage, sometimes end in a wonderful calm. Created and spoken by the Spirit of adoption. They were astonished. They never saw a storm so turned at once into a perfect calm. Our Jesus that can do this, can do any thing, which encourages confidence and comfort in the most stormy day, within or without.
Jesus keeps us in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Him, because we trust in Him. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock. (Isa 26:3-4)
We can never avoid strife in the world around us, but when we fix our thoughts on God, we can know perfect peace even in turmoil. As we focus our mind on God and his Word, we become steady and stable. Supported by God’s unchanging love and mighty power, we are not shaken by the surrounding chaos Do you want peace? Keep your thoughts on God and your trust in him.
God’s peace is different from the world’s peace (see John 14:27). True peace is not found in positive thinking, in absence of conflict, or in good feelings. It comes from knowing that God is in control. Our citizenship in Christ’s Kingdom is sure, our destiny is set, and we can have victory over sin. Let God’s peace guard your heart against anxiety.
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Phil 4:4-8)
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.” (Rom 1:16-17, NKJV)
nothing can separate
The open path, the safe path of walking in the way of God’s commandments, is a path from which there is no safe departing. And when people follow their own human theories dressed up in soft, fascinating representations, they make a snare in which to catch souls. In the place of devoting your powers to theorizing, or to your own preconceived opinions, Christ has given you a work to do. His commission is, Go throughout the world and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Before the disciples shall compass the threshold, there is to be the imprint of the sacred name, baptizing the believers in the name of the threefold powers of the heavenly world. (Mat 28:19) The human mind is impressed in this ceremony, the beginning of the Christian life. It means very much. The work of salvation is not a small matter, but so vast that the highest authorities are taken hold of by the expressed faith of the human agent. The eternal Godhead (Rom 1:20) the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit is involved in the action required to make assurance to the human agent, confederating the heavenly powers with the human that humanity may become, through Heavenly efficiency, partakers of the divine nature (2 Pet 1:4) and workers together with Christ.
Our capabilities can multiply through the connection of human agencies with divine agencies. United with the heavenly powers, the human capabilities increase according to that faith that works by love Gal 5:6) and purifies, sanctifies, and ennobles the whole person. {UL 148.3-5}
“Partakers of The Divine Nature”
In the religious life of every soul who is finally victorious there will be scenes of terrible perplexity and trial; but his knowledge of the Scriptures will enable them to bring to mind the encouraging promises of God, which will comfort their heart and strengthen their faith in the power of the Mighty One.
We read: “Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward;” “that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.” The trial of faith is more precious than gold.
All should learn that this is a part of the discipline in the school of Christ, which is essential to purify and refine them from the dross of earthliness. They must endure with fortitude the taunts and attacks of enemies, and overcome all obstacles that Satan may place in their path to hedge up the way. He will try to lead them to neglect prayer and to discourage them in the study of the Scriptures, and he will throw his hateful shadow athwart their path to hide Christ and the heavenly attractions from their view. {5T 578.1}
None should go along shrinking and trembling, under continual doubt, sowing their path with complainings; but all should look up to God and see His goodness and rejoice in His love. Summon all your powers to look up, not down at your difficulties; then you will never faint by the way. You will soon see Jesus behind the cloud, reaching out His hand to help you; and all you have to do is to give Him your hand in simple faith and let Him lead you.
As you become trustful you will, through faith in Jesus, become hopeful. The light shining from the cross of Calvary will reveal to you God’s estimate of your soul, and, appreciating that estimate, you will seek to reflect the light to the world. A great name among people are as letters traced in sand, but a spotless character will endure to all eternity. God gives you intelligence and a reasoning mind, whereby you may grasp His promises; and Jesus is ready to help you in forming a strong, symmetrical character. Those who possess such a character need never become discouraged because they have not success in worldly affairs. They “are the light of the world.” Satan cannot destroy or make of none effect the light that shines forth from them. {5T 578.2}
Never think that what you have to offer is insignificant. There will always be someone out there who needs what you have to give. God loves you with an everlasting love, and His promise is for you
And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. (Jer 29:13, NKJV)
God did not forget his people, even though they were captives in Babylon. He planned to give them a new beginning with a new purpose—to turn them into new people. In times of dire circumstances, it may appear as though God has forgotten you. But God may be preparing you, as he did the people of Judah, for a new beginning with him at the center.
According to God’s wise plan, his people were to have a future and a hope, and that is why they could call upon him in confidence.
In all your conflicts, in all the trials and perplexities of life, seek counsel from God. The path of obedience to God is as a shining light that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. Follow step after step in the path of duty. Steep places may have to be climbed, but go forward in the path of humility, of faith and self-denial, leaving the clouds of doubt behind you. Sorrow not in a hopeless way, for the living need your care and love. You have enlisted in the Lord’s army; be brave soldiers of Jesus Christ. Let words of penitence and grateful praise come up before God as sweet incense in His heavenly sanctuary.
Although we are often in a difficult place and time, we need not despair because we have God’s presence, the privilege of prayer, His precious promises, and God’s grace. If we seek him wholeheartedly, he will be found. Neither a strange land, sorrow, persecution, nor physical problems can break our fellowship with God.
In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom 8:37-39)
The true followers of Christ can never be forsaken by him. And his Church, which is founded on the rock, can never be shaken down by the tempests of persecution. And what God does for his Church in general, (the collective body of those who believe in the Lord Jesus, love, and obey him), he does for every individual in that body: no man that trusts in him can be confounded. While the love of God is in his heart, and the work of God in his hand, he may be as fully persuaded as he is of his own being, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other thing whatsoever, shall be able to separate him from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus.
By His death on the cross Jesus triumphed over the forces of evil. He who subjugated the demonic spirits during His earthly ministry has broken their power and made certain their ultimate doom. Jesus’ victory gives us victory over the evil forces that still seek to control us, as we walk with Him in peace, joy, and assurance of His love. Now the Holy Spirit dwells within us and empowers us. Continually committed to Jesus as our Savior and Lord, we are set free from the burden of our past deeds. No longer do we live in the darkness, fear of evil powers, ignorance, and meaninglessness of our former way of life. In this new freedom in Jesus, we are called to grow into the likeness of His character, communing with Him daily in prayer, feeding on His Word, meditating on it and on His providence, singing His praises, gathering together for worship, and participating in the mission of the Church. As we give ourselves in loving service to those around us and in witnessing to His salvation, His constant presence with us through the Spirit transforms every moment and every task into a spiritual experience.-Fundamental Beliefs, 11
With great clearness and power the apostle presented the doctrine of justification by faith in Christ. He hoped that other churches also might be helped by the instruction sent to the Christians at Rome; but how dimly 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. The same light has guided thousands of sin-burdened souls to the true Source of pardon and peace. For the epistle to the church at Rome, every Christian has reason to thank God. {AA 373.3}
I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it.
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. (Phil 4:10-12, NIV)
more to be desired than gold
We can trust that God will always meet our needs. Whatever we need on earth he will always supply, even if it is the courage to face death as Paul did. Whatever we need in heaven he will supply. We must remember, however, the difference between our wants and our needs. Most people want to feel good and avoid discomfort or pain. We may not get all that we want. By trusting in Christ, our attitudes and appetites can change from wanting everything to accepting his provision and power to live for him.
In every generation and in every land the true foundation for character building has been the same–the principles contained in the word of God. The only safe and sure rule is to do what God says.
“The statutes of the Lord are right,” and “he that does these things shall never be moved.” Psalms 19:8; Psalms 15:5.
It was with the word of God that the apostles met the false theories of their day, saying, “Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid.” 1 Cor 3:11. {AA 475.2}
For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.(Isa 64:4)
“eye has not seen”
But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.(1 Cor 2:9)
The world fears the power of the atom, yet we belong to the God of the universe, who not only created that atomic power but also raised Jesus Christ from the dead. God’s incomparably great power is available to help you. There is nothing too difficult for him.
I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. (Eph 1:16-21)
We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. No, we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began.
None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”— the things God has prepared for those who love him—
These are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words.
The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments, for, “Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ. (1 Cor 2:6-16)
[We]need to dwell upon the assurances of God’s Word, to hold them before the mind’s eye. Point by point, day by day, repeat the lessons there given, over and over, until you learn the bearing and import of them. We see a little today, and by meditation and prayer, more tomorrow. And thus little by little we take in the gracious promises until we can almost comprehend their full significance. {6BC 1085.2}
How much we lose by not educating the imagination to dwell upon divine things, rather than upon the earthly! We may give fullest scope to the imagination, and yet,
“eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”
Fresh wonders will be revealed to the mind the more closely we apply it to divine things. We lose much by not talking more of Jesus and of heaven, the saints’ inheritance. The more we contemplate heavenly things, the more new delights we shall see, and the more will our hearts be brimful of thanks to our beneficent Creator {6BC 1085.3}
It is the duty and privilege of all to use reason as far as humanity’s finite faculties can go; but there is a boundary where our mortal resources must cease. There are many things that can never be reasoned out by the strongest intellect or discerned by the most penetrating mind. Philosophy cannot determine the ways and works of God; the human mind cannot measure infinity. {6BC 1079.7}
Jehovah is the fountain of all wisdom, of all truth, of all knowledge. There are high attainments that people can reach in this life through the wisdom that God imparts; but there is an infinity beyond that will be the study and the joy of the saints throughout eternal ages. We can now only linger upon the borders of that vast expanse, and let imagination take its flight. Finite humanity cannot fathom the deep things of God; for spiritual things are spiritually discerned. The human mind cannot comprehend the wisdom and power of God {6BC 1079.8}
Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. (John 17:3)
Avoiding Guesswork in the Quest for God.
Human talent and human conjecture have tried by searching to find out God. But guesswork has proved itself to be guesswork. Man cannot by searching find out God. This problem has not been given to human beings. All that man needs to know and can know of God has been revealed in His Word and in the life of His Son, the great Teacher. {6BC 1079.9}
God cannot be understood by humans. His ways and works are past finding out. In regard to the revelations that He has made of Himself in His Word, we may talk, but other than this, let us say of Him, Thou art God, and Thy ways are past finding out. {6BC 1079.11}
There is a knowledge of God and of Christ which all who are saved must have. “This is life eternal,” Christ said, “that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.”
{6BC 1079.12}
The question for us to study is, What is truth–the truth for this time, which is to be cherished, loved, honored, and obeyed? The devotees of science have been defeated and disheartened in their effort to find out God. What they need to inquire is, What is truth {6BC 1079.13}
To Know Christ Is to Practice His Words.
Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. (John 17:3)
These words mean much. It is only by knowing Christ that we can know God. The Sent of God calls upon all to listen to these words. They are the words of God, and all should give heed to them; for by them they will be judged. To know Christ savingly is to be vitalized by spiritual knowledge, to practice His words. Without this, all else is valueless {5BC 1145.11}
Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the LORD has helped us.” 1 Sam 11:12, NIV)
His glory in the church
The Israelites had great difficulty with the Philistines, but God rescued them. In response, the people set up a large stone as a memorial of God’s great help and deliverance. During tough times, we may need to remember the crucial turning points in our past to help us through the present. Memorials can help us remember God’s past victories and gain confidence and strength for the present.
There are thousands of souls willing to work for the Master who have not had the privilege of hearing the truth as some have heard it, but they have been faithful readers of the Word of God, and they will be blessed in their humble efforts to impart light to others. Let such ones keep a diary, and when the Lord gives them an interesting experience, let them write it down, as Samuel did when the armies of Israel won a victory over the Philistines. He set up a monument of thankfulness, saying
“Hitherto hath the Lord helped us.”
This is exactly what the Apostle was doing when he said
“what we have seen and what we have hear and what we have handled of The Word of life, that’s what we are telling you now.” (1 John 1:1-3)
And during the end times this is exactly how God’s people will become over comers:
And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. (Rev 12:11, ESV)
“Brethren, where are the monuments by which you keep in view the love and goodness of God? Strive to keep fresh in your minds the help that the Lord has given you in your efforts to help others. Let not your actions show one trace of selfishness. Every tear that the Lord has helped you to wipe from sorrowful eyes, every fear that has been expelled, every mercy shown,–trace a record of it in your diary. “As thy days, so shall thy strength be” {2BC 1012.3}
All who will can be over comers. (John 7:17) Let us strive earnestly to reach the standard set before us. Christ knows our weakness, and to Him we can go daily for help. It is not necessary for us to gain strength a month ahead. We are to conquer from day to day {7BC 974.3}
The work is soon to close. The members of the church militant who have proved faithful will become the church triumphant
In reviewing our past history, having traveled over every step of advance to our present standing, I can say, Praise God! As I see what God has wrought, I am filled with astonishment, and with confidence in Christ as leader. We have nothing to fear for the future, except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us, and His teaching in our past history.
We are now a strong people, if we will put our trust in the Lord; for we are handling the mighty truths of the word of God. We have everything to be thankful for. If we walk in the light as it shines upon us from the living oracles of God, we shall have large responsibilities, corresponding to the great light given us of God.
We have many duties to perform, because we have been made the depositories of sacred truth to be given to the world in all its beauty and glory. We are debtors to God to use every advantage he has entrusted to us to beautify the truth of holiness of character, and to send the message of warning, and of comfort, of hope and love, to those who are in the darkness of error and sin. {GCDB, January 29, 1893 par. 5}
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Eph 3:14-21, ESV)
For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, (Titus 2:11-12, NIV)
follow the same path as Jesus no matter where He leads
I cant think of a better theme to dwell upon in this new year, 2025 that we are all entering now.
Paul brings out two aspects of Christian living that must be stressed today. “We should live in this evil world . . . while we look forward with hope.” Both aspects of living and looking forward are essential to our Christian sanity in this present evil age. The living is made bearable because we live for God—seeking to build his Kingdom with whatever gifts he has given us. And it is that very Kingdom to which we are looking forward. As we live and look forward, we anticipate three great benefits of Christ’s return:
(1) Christ’s personal presence—we look forward to being with him.
(2) Redemption from our sinful nature—we long for the end of the battle with sin and our perfection in Christ.
(3) Restoration of creation—we anticipate the complete rule of grace when the image of God will be fully realized in people and when the created order will be restored.
Looking for that blessed hope – Expecting the grand object of our hope, eternal life. See Tit 1:2. This is what the Gospel teaches us to expect, and what the grace of God prepares the human heart for. This is called a blessed hope; those who have it are happy in the sure prospect of that glory which shall be revealed.
The Lord purifies the heart very much as we air a room. We do not close the doors and windows, and throw in some purifying substance; but we open the doors and throw wide the windows, and let heaven’s purifying atmosphere flow in. The Lord says, “Anyone that does truth comes to the light.” The windows of impulse, of feeling, must be opened up toward heaven, and the dust of selfishness and earthliness must be expelled. The grace of God must sweep through the chambers of the mind, the imagination must have heavenly themes for contemplation, and every element of the nature must be purified and vitalized by the Spirit of God {7BC 940.4}
Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, (Eph 6:13-19, NIV)
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” (Isa 30:21)
Like Simon of Cyrene who carried the cross of Christ to the finish line, the cross may have slipped away from your agenda. It may interfere with our personal plans and objectives. It may even seem impossible to walk in the blood-stained path of Jesus. But let us always remember:
The cross stands alone, a great center in the world. It does not find friends, but it makes them. It creates its own agencies. Christ proposes that men shall become laborers together with God. He makes human beings His instrumentalities for drawing all men unto Himself. A divine agency is sufficient only through its operation on human hearts with its transforming power, making men colaborers with God {5BC 1138.1}
The path of grace that Jesus would have you walk upon in this new year will be made clear to you as soon as you put your first foot forward to walk therein. One step at a time is how God operates. (Mat 6:33-34)
God’s Promise Is Sure
“Praise be to the LORD, who has given rest to his people Israel just as he promised. Not one word has failed of all the good promises he gave through his servant Moses. (1 Kings 8:56, NIV)
Some day we shall understand that God has a reason in every NO which He speaks through the slow movement of life. “Somehow God makes up to us.” How often, when His people are worrying and perplexing themselves about their prayers not being answered, is God answering them in a far richer way! Glimpses of this we see occasionally, but the full revelation of it remains for the future.
May the LORD our God be with us as he was with our ancestors; may he never leave us nor forsake us. May he turn our hearts to him, to walk in obedience to him and keep the commands, decrees and laws he gave our ancestors. And may these words of mine, which I have prayed before the LORD, be near to the LORD our God day and night, that he may uphold the cause of his servant and the cause of his people Israel according to each day’s need…(1 Kings 8:57-59, NIV)
