Every statement in inspired writings has a context which includes the time when the statement is made, or the word is written. In 1893, the following encouragement was given to the Advent people: “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 travelled 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 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.” General Conference Daily Bulletin, January 29, 1893 [Emphasis supplied.]
This paragraph tell us that we do not have to fear for the future, unless we forget how the Lord has led us in the past. Although the prophet does not explicitly tell us, the implication is clear. If we forget the way the Lord has led us, we have plenty to fear for the future; in fact, our eternal life could be in jeopardy.
Do you know the way that the Lord has led you?
As a Christian, the most important goal of my everyday life is to be where the Lord wants me to be, doing what He wants me to do. By studying the Bible, I can know where the Lord is leading me. Does the Bible tell me where I should be and what I should be doing on the Sabbath day? It says that on the Sabbath I am to rest from my secular, everyday labor (Isaiah 58:12–14); I should not engage in common thoughts or words (Counsels for the Church, 263); and I should be in church to worship the Lord with His people (Hebrews 10:24, 25; Luke 4:16–23).
Friend, the Lord is leading. Will we follow?