September 4, 1999 – September 11, 1999
MEMORY VERSE: “God is my strength and power: and He maketh my way perfect.” 2 Samuel 22:33.
STUDY HELP: Testimonies, vol. 8, 255–264.
Introduction
“In his isolated home John was able to study more closely than ever before the manifestations of divine power as recorded in the book of nature and in the pages of inspiration. To him it was a delight to meditate on the work of creation and to adore the divine Architect. In former years his eyes had been greeted by the sight of forest-covered hills, green valleys, and fruitful plains; and in the beauties of nature it had ever been his delight to trace the wisdom and skill of the Creator. He was now surrounded by scenes that to many would appear gloomy and uninteresting; but to John it was otherwise. While his surroundings might be desolate and barren, the blue heavens that bent above him were as bright and beautiful as the skies above his loved Jerusalem. In the wild, rugged rocks, in the mysteries of the deep, in the glories of the firmament, he read important lessons. All bore the message of God’s power and glory.” Acts of the Apostles, 571, 572.
“Power Belongeth Unto God”
- Whom did David identify as the source of all power? Psalm 62:11.
NOTE: “In dwelling upon the laws of matter and the laws of nature, many lose sight of, if they do not deny, the continual and direct agency of God. They convey the idea that nature acts independently of God, having in and of itself its own limits and its own powers wherewith to work. In their minds there is a marked distinction between the natural and the supernatural. The natural is ascribed to ordinary causes, unconnected with the power of God. Vital power is attributed to matter, and nature is made a deity. It is supposed that matter is placed in certain relations and left to act from fixed laws with which God Himself cannot interfere; that nature is endowed with certain properties and placed subject to laws, and is then left to itself to obey these laws and perform the work originally commanded. This is false science.” Testimonies, vol. 8, 259.
- What lesson did Jeremiah learn by understanding the power of God in creation? Jeremiah 32:17.
NOTE: “‘The word of the Lord unto Jeremiah’ in that hour of distress, when the faith of the messenger of truth was being tried as by fire, was: ‘Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there anything too hard for Me?” Verses 26, 27. The city was soon to fall into the hand of the Chaldeans; its gates and palaces were to be set on fire and burned; but, notwithstanding the fact that destruction was imminent and the inhabitants of Jerusalem were to be carried away captive, nevertheless the eternal purpose of Jehovah for Israel was yet to be fulfilled.’ Prophets and Kings, 471.
- What manifestation of the power of God is of vital importance to mankind? Romans 1:16.
NOTE: The good news that Jesus brought is that God has sufficient power to save every man from every one of his sins, if only he will believe that this is possible. It is sad, therefore, to read in a popular Calvinist reference book: “Sanctification is a work of God’s free grace, whereby the entire person is renewed after the image of God and enabled more and more to refrain from sinning and to live righteously . . . Scripture does not teach that one can become sinless in this life.” Nave’s Study Bible, 1978,, 1842. Thus they deny the Gospel, teaching that the power of God cannot make one sinless, only help one to sin less.
“It is our privilege to have faith and salvation. The power of God has not decreased. His power, I saw, would be just as freely bestowed now as formerly. It is the church of God that have lost their faith to claim, their energy to wrestle, as did Jacob, crying: ‘I will not let Thee go, except Thou bless me.’ Enduring faith has been dying away. It must be revived in the hearts of God’s people. There must be a claiming of the blessing of God. Faith, living faith, always bears upward to God and glory; unbelief, downward to darkness and death.” Testimonies, vol. 1, 144.
“The Worlds Were Framed by the Word of God”
- By what means was the work of creation accomplished? Psalm 33:6, Hebrews 11:3.
NOTE: “Men of the greatest intellect cannot understand the mysteries of Jehovah as revealed in nature. Divine inspiration asks many questions which the most profound scholar cannot answer. These questions were not asked that we might answer them, but to call our attention to the deep mysteries of God and to teach us that our wisdom is limited; that in the surroundings of our daily life there are many things beyond the comprehension of finite minds; that the judgment and purposes of God are past finding out. His wisdom is unsearchable. Sceptics refuse to believe in God because with their finite minds they cannot comprehend the infinite power by which He reveals Himself to men. But God is to be acknowledged more from what He does not reveal of Himself than from that which is open to our limited comprehension. Both in divine revelation and in nature, God has given to men mysteries to command their faith. This must be so. We may be ever searching, ever inquiring, ever learning, and yet there is an infinity beyond.” Isaiah 40:12–31 quoted. Testimonies, vol. 8, 261.
- What evidence may we have today of the continuing creative power of God? 2 Corinthians 5:17. Compare Psalm 51:10.
NOTE: “The miracle-working power of Christ’s grace is revealed in the creation in man of a new heart, a higher life, a holier enthusiasm. God says: ‘A new heart also will I give you.’ Ezekiel 36:26. Is not this, the renewal of man, the greatest miracle that can be performed? What cannot the human agent do who by faith takes hold of the divine power? Remember that in working with Christ as your personal Saviour lies your strength and your victory. This is the part all are to act. Christ is the way, the truth, and the life. He declares: ‘Without Me ye can do nothing.’ John 15:5. And the repentant, believing soul responds: ‘I can do all things through Christ, which strengtheneth me.’ Philippians 4:13. To those who do this comes the assurance: ‘As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God.’ John 1:12.” Testimonies, vol. 9, 152.
“These All Wait Upon Thee”
- How does the Bible reveal God’s continued care over His creation? Psalm 104:10–28.
NOTE: “Upon all created things is seen the impress of the Deity. Nature testifies of God. The susceptible mind, brought in contact with the miracle and mystery of the universe, cannot but recognize the working of infinite power. Not by its own inherent energy does the earth produce its bounties, and year by year continue its motion around the sun. An unseen hand guides the planets in their circuit of the heavens. A mysterious life pervades all nature—a life that sustains the unnumbered worlds throughout immensity, that lives in the insect atom which floats in the summer breeze, that wings the flight of the swallow and feeds the young ravens which cry, that brings the bud to blossom and the flower to fruit.” Education, 99.
- In these uncertain days, what lesson can we learn from the care that God has for His creation? Matthew 6:26–30.
NOTE: “Can you not trust in your heavenly Father? Can you not rest upon His gracious promise? ‘Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.’ Precious promise! Can we not rely upon it? Can we not have implicit trust, knowing that He is faithful who hath promised? I entreat you to let your trembling faith again grasp the promises of God. Bear your whole weight upon them with unwavering faith; for they will not, they cannot, fail.” Testimonies, vol. 2, 497.
- In what way can we show our gratitude for God’s blessings to us? 1 Corinthians 16:2.
NOTE: “And what more appropriate time could be chosen for setting aside the tithe and presenting our offerings to God? On the Sabbath we have thought upon His goodness. We have beheld His work in creation as an evidence of His power in redemption. Our hearts are filled with thankfulness for His great love. And now, before the toil of the week begins, we return to Him His own, and with it an offering to testify our gratitude. Thus our practice will be a weekly sermon, declaring that God is the possessor of all our property, and that He has made us stewards to use it to His glory. Every acknowledgement of our obligation to God will strengthen the sense of obligation. Gratitude deepens as we give it expression; and the joy it brings is life to soul and body.” Review and Herald, November 10, 1896.
“The Lord God Planted a Garden”
- What relation was Adam created to have towards the animal creation? Genesis 1:26, Psalm 8:6–8.
NOTE: “He was placed, as God’s representative, over the lower orders of being. They cannot understand or acknowledge the sovereignty of God, yet they were made capable of loving and serving man. The psalmist says, ‘Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of Thy hands; Thou hast put all things under his feet: . . . the beasts of the field; the fowl of the air, . . . and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.’ Psalm 8:6–8.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 45.
‘Harsh treatment, even to the brutes, is offensive to God. Those who profess to love God do not always consider that abuse to animals, or suffering brought upon them by neglect, is a sin. The fruits of divine grace will be as truly revealed in men by the manner in which they treat their beasts, as by their service in the house of God. Those who allow themselves to become impatient or enraged with their animals are not Christians. A man who is harsh, severe and domineering toward the lower animals, because he has them in his power, is both a coward and a tyrant. And he will, if opportunity offers, manifest the same cruel, overbearing spirit toward his wife and children.” Signs of the times, November 25, 1880.
- In what environment did God intend man to work? Genesis 2:15, 3:23.
NOTE: “As a relaxation from study, occupations pursued in the open air, and affording exercise for the whole body, are the most beneficial. No line of manual training is of more value than agriculture. A greater effort should be made to create and to encourage an interest in agricultural pursuits. Let the teacher call attention to what the Bible says about agriculture: that it was God’s plan for man to till the earth; that the first man, the ruler of the whole world, was given a garden to cultivate; and that many of the world’s greatest men, its real nobility, have been tillers of the soil. Show the opportunities in such a life. The wise man says, ‘The king himself is served by the field.’ Ecclesiastes 5:9. Of him who cultivates the soil the Bible declares, ‘His God doth instruct him to discretion, and doth teach him.’ Isaiah 28:26. And again, ‘Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof.’ Proverbs 27:18. He who earns his livelihood by agriculture escapes many temptations and enjoys unnumbered privileges and blessings denied to those whose work lies in the great cities. And in these days of mammoth trusts and business competition, there are few who enjoy so real an independence and so great certainty of fair return for their labour as does the tiller of the soil.” Education, 219.
“The New Heavens and the New Earth Which I Will Make”
- How is the natural beauty of the recreated earth described? Revelation 22:1, 2 (Compare Ezekiel 47:7–9) Isaiah 65:21–25, Isaiah 11:6–9.
NOTE: “No human language can fully describe the reward of the righteous. It will be known to those only who behold it. There the heavenly Shepherd leads his flock to the fountains of living water. The tree of life yields its fruit every month, and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. There are ever-flowing streams, clear as crystal, and beside them waving trees cast their shadows upon the paths prepared for the ransomed of the Lord. There the wide-spreading plains swell into hills of beauty, and the mountains of God rear their lofty summits. On those peaceful plains, beside those living streams, God’s people, so long pilgrims and wanderers, shall find a home. ‘My people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting-places.’ ‘Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders; but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise.’ ‘They shall build houses and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: . . . Mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands.’ There will be no more tears, no funeral trains, no badges of mourning. ‘There shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying . . . for the former things are passed away.’ ‘The inhabitants shall not say, I am sick: the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity.’ That time is near. A little while, and we shall see the King in his beauty. A little while, and he will present his faithful ones ‘faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy.’” Southern Watchman, December 1, 1909.
- How did David acknowledge the power of God in his life? 2 Samuel 22:33.
NOTE: “Faith and activity will impart assurance and satisfaction that will increase day by day. Are you tempted to give way to feelings of anxious foreboding or utter despondency? In the darkest days, when appearances seem most forbidding, fear not. Have faith in God. He knows your need. He has all power. His infinite love and compassion never weary. Fear not that He will fail of fulfilling His promise. He is eternal truth. Never will He change the covenant He has made with those who love Him. And He will bestow upon His faithful servants the measure of efficiency that their need demands. The apostle Paul has testified: ‘He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’” Prophets and Kings, 164, 165.