Bible Study Guides – “LORD, Thou Hast Been Our Dwelling Place”

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January 13, 2001 – January 19, 2001

MEMORY VERSE: “Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons’ sons.” Deuteronomy 4:9.

STUDY HELP: Evangelism, 357–367.

Introduction

“We have nothing to fear for the future except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us. 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 by holiness of character, and to send the messages of warning, and of comfort, of hope and love, to those who are in the darkness of error and sin.” Testimonies to Ministers, 31.

“The Eternal God is thy Refuge”

  1. How did Moses describe the unfailing watchcare of God over His people? Psalm 90:1, 2; Deuteronomy 33:27.

NOTE: “Christ is our tower of strength, and Satan can have no power over the soul that walks with God in humility of mind. …In Christ there is perfect and complete help for every tempted soul. Dangers beset every path, but the whole universe of heaven is standing on guard, that none may be tempted above that which he is able to bear.… If we will look to Jesus as the One in whom we may trust, He will never fail us in any emergency.” My Life Today, 316.

  1. Against what danger did Moses warn the people of Israel? Deuteronomy 8:10–14.

NOTE: “How frequently were the waymarks set up by the Lord in His dealings with ancient Israel! Lest they should forget the history of the past, He commanded Moses to frame these events into song, that parents might teach them to their children.…We need often to recount God’s goodness and to praise Him for His wonderful works.” Conflict and Courage, 364.

“My Thoughts Are Not Your Thoughts”

  1. Of what contrast between God and man should we always be aware? Psalm 90:4–6; Isaiah 55:8, 9.

NOTE: “Our plans are not always God’s plans.… In His loving care and interest for us, often He who understands us better than we understand ourselves refuses to permit us selfishly to seek the gratification of our own ambition.…” Conflict and Courage, 228.

  1. What effect should this have on our prayers? Ecclesiastes 5:2.

NOTE: “We should have more of a burden for souls, and should pray daily that strength and wisdom may be given us for the Sabbath.” Counsels on Sabbath School Work, 125.

“Teach Us to Number Our Days”

  1. How did Moses recall the brevity of human life? Psalm 90:10.

NOTE: See The Faith I Live By, 158.

  1. In view of the brevity of life, what prayer should be ours? Psalm 90:12.

NOTE: “Our time belongs to God. Every moment is His, and we are under the most solemn obligation to improve it to His glory. Of no talent He has given will He require a more strict account than of our time. The value of time is beyond computation. Christ regarded every moment as precious, and it is thus that we should regard it. Life is too short to be trifled away. We have but a few days of probation in which to prepare for eternity. We have no time to waste, no time to devote to selfish pleasure, no time for the indulgence of sin. It is now that we are to form characters for the future, immortal life. It is now that we are to prepare for the searching judgment.” The Faith I Live By, 158.

“Our Secret Sins in the Light of Thy Countenance”

  1. Of what further fact should we be aware as we come to God in prayer? Jeremiah 16:17.

NOTE: “God has made ample provision that we may stand perfect in His grace, wanting in nothing, waiting for the appearing of our Lord. Are you ready? Have you the wedding garment on? That garment will never cover deceit, impurity, corruption, or hypocrisy. The eye of God is upon you. It is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. We may conceal our sins from the eyes of men, but we can hide nothing from our Maker.” God’s Amazing Grace, 24.

  1. What precious promises can we claim in prayer? John 6:37; Psalm 6:9; Micah 7:18-19.

NOTE: “The refining furnace is to remove the dross. When the Refiner sees His image reflected in you perfectly, He will remove you from the furnace.… But it is necessary for you, in order to reflect the divine image, to submit to the process the Refiner chooses for you, that you may be cleansed, purified, and every spot and blemish removed—not even a wrinkle left in your Christian character.… He has promised He will never leave or forsake those who put their trust in Him.” Our High Calling, 312.

“Make Us Glad”

  1. Who is the source of true joy? Psalm 16:11.

NOTE: “The religion of Jesus is joy, peace, and happiness. All Heaven is interested in the happiness of man.” The Faith I Live By, 226.

  1. From what knowledge may we gain joy? Psalm 5:11.

NOTE: “Take God’s word on trust, saying, He loves me: He gave His life for me; and He will save me.… Look away from yourself to Jesus. Embrace Him as your Saviour. Cease to bemoan your helpless condition.… When you feel tempted to mourn, force your lips to utter the praises of God. ‘Rejoice in the Lord alway’ (Philippians 4:4.) Is He not worthy of praise? Then educate your lips to talk of His glory and to magnify His name.” In Heavenly Places, 116.

“Let the Beauty of the LORD Our God be Upon Us”

  1. What was the final thought of Moses’ prayer? Psalm 90:17.

NOTE: “God is a lover of the beautiful, but that which He most loves is a beautiful character.… It is beauty of character that shall not perish, but last through the ceaseless ages of eternity.” My Life Today, 270.

  1. When beauty of character is seen in God’s people, what can we expect to happen? Revelation 19:7, 8; Mark 4:29. (Compare Galatians 5:22, 23.)

NOTE: “If you have accepted Christ as a personal Saviour, you are to forget yourself, and try to help others. Talk of the love of Christ, tell of His goodness. Do every duty that presents itself. Carry the burden of souls upon your heart, and by every means in your power seek to save the lost. As you receive the Spirit of Christ—the Spirit of unselfish love and labor for others—you will grow and bring forth fruit.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 67, 68.