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Where Do You Stand?

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“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking

whom he may devour.”

1 Peter 5:8

 

The above verse is a familiar one, although it is one that most Christians accept somewhat casually. Indeed, many Christians see this text and others that refer to Satan and his efforts to lead God’s people astray as maybe a bit mythological, viewing Satan’s “alleged” existence as nothing more than an idle tale or the result of pagan influence on early Christians that has survived through the ages.

One woman, who was otherwise very intelligent, became quite upset on being told that Satan was responsible for the existence of the sin and misery that prevail on this earth. Her retort was that neither Satan nor God exists. Both are creations of man that serve as excuses for the various behaviors manifested by humankind.

To believe that way, of course, one cannot believe in any inspired writing, and certainly not the Bible. Regretful though it may seem, it is often best to leave unbelievers with that mindset to stew in their own juices, which they will eventually do, unless they let the light of truth shine into their hearts. Our only hope for these deluded souls is prayer, and lots of it.

However, to those who have read and studied the matter, the existence of a formidable foe is unquestionable. We are all familiar with the Fall of man, explained so clearly in Genesis 3. Man chose to obey “that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world” (Revelation 12:9), rather than his Creator. As a result, “through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin” (Romans 5:12).

But why did Satan seek to cause man, the pinnacle of God’s creation, to fall?
“Satan was once an honored angel in heaven, next to Christ. … But when God said to His Son, ‘Let us make man in our image’ (Genesis 1:26), Satan was jealous of Jesus. He wished to be consulted concerning the formation of man, and because he was not, he was filled with envy, jealousy, and hatred.” Early Writings, 145.

Satan’s envy, jealousy, and hatred led eventually to rebellion. Subtle at first and executed with the utmost skill, his efforts succeeded in convincing one third of the angels that he deserved the place held by the Son of God. His rebellion is explained clearly and beautifully in the first chapter of Patriarchs and Prophets, “Why Was Sin Permitted.” Even though he was a created being, he credited himself for his beauty, talent, and intellect and sought to be equal with his Creator. “ ‘Shall the clay say to him who forms it, “What are you making?” ’ ” (Isaiah 45:9). Satan indeed manifested such a mindset toward his Creator!

The result, of course, was war in heaven—in heaven!

“And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him” (Revelation 12:7–9).

An excellent summary of the conflict that brought about this war is given in this passage from Inspiration:

“Looking unto Jesus we see that it is the glory of our God to give. ‘I do nothing of Myself,’ said Christ; ‘the living Father hath sent Me, and I live by the Father.’ ‘I seek not Mine own glory,’ but the glory of Him that sent Me (John 8:28; 6:57; 8:50; 7:18). In these words is set forth the great principle which is the law of life for the universe. All things Christ received from God, but He took to give. So in the heavenly courts, in His ministry for all created beings: through the beloved Son, the Father’s life flows out to all; through the Son it returns, in praise and joyous service, a tide of love, to the great Source of all. And thus through Christ the circuit of beneficence is complete, representing the character of the great Giver, the law of life.

“In heaven itself this law was broken. Sin originated in self-seeking. Lucifer, the covering cherub, desired to be first in heaven. He sought to gain control of heavenly beings, to draw them away from their Creator, and to win their homage to himself. Therefore he misrepresented God, attributing to Him the desire for self-exaltation. With his own evil characteristics he sought to invest the loving Creator. Thus he deceived angels. Thus he deceived men. He led them to doubt the word of God, and to distrust His goodness. Because God is a God of justice and terrible majesty, Satan caused them to look upon Him as severe and unforgiving. Thus he drew men to join him in rebellion against God, and the night of woe settled down upon the world.” The Desire of Ages, 21, 22. [Emphasis added.]

So, Satan effected the Fall of our first parents and claimed the world as his domain. Because he was not privy to the plan of creation, which included provision for the salvation of mankind should he fail to maintain his obedience to his Creator, Satan was certain that he would have complete control over the human race as long as it should last and that man was rightfully his, since he chose to obey him rather than his Creator.

“The fall of man filled all heaven with sorrow. The world that God had made was blighted with the curse of sin and inhabited by beings doomed to misery and death. There appeared no escape for those who had transgressed the law. …

“But divine love had conceived a plan whereby man might be redeemed.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 63.

It was this plan for man’s salvation, conceived when the Father and Son consulted together regarding the creation of man in their image, that Satan had no knowledge of. If he had known about it, he would have known that although he might cause man to fall, there was a plan “whereby man might be redeemed.” Though there would be some who would choose to stand under Satan’s black banner, there would be a blood-stained banner raised that would provide redemption for all who chose to stand under it.

Even with Satan’s acquired knowledge of this fact, for he has now diligently studied the Bible for thousands of years, and the Spirit of Prophecy for more than a hundred, he is determined to cause as many to fall as he possibly can, for he knows now that he does not have to bear the penalty for lost souls. They will each bear their own fate. Satan’s punishment is to bear the penalty for those who have accepted the salvation wrought by the sacrifice of the Son of God. Thus the more he can cause to stand under his black banner, the less punishment he has to bear.

So the question for Satan becomes, How can I bring about the loss of the most souls?

Unfortunately for man, Satan is not bound by the law of God. He can lie, and it is through his lies that he succeeds in persuading so many poor souls to stand in his dark shadow—although many do so unknowingly.

How many has he convinced that their dead loved ones are already in heaven? Even “religious” publications promote that error. One immensely popular “Christian” publication has in almost every issue at least one if not several stories of actions, believed to have been committed by dead relatives, that have brought comfort to their survivors. How could these survivors doubt it when a departed relative, who supposedly has previously provided some comfort in a supernatural manner, leads them to believe that God has changed His mind regarding the day of worship?

In such an instance, those who have not made the Scriptures their safeguard will be deceived by Satan and his evil coconspirators into believing two of his lies: man’s soul is immortal and the seventh day is no longer God’s Sabbath day of rest. These two lies, by the way, have been and are being promulgated by the vast majority of the Christian world today.

But between now and then, Satan is diligently at work to cause man to have no regard whatsoever for God’s law. He insinuates thoughts into our minds that, unless rejected, will lead to man’s downfall.

“There is no safety for any of us unless we trust fully in God, and take a decided stand, guarding the avenues of the will, resisting the first insinuations of Satan, rejecting his counsel to yield to questionable impulses. This requires watchfulness, perseverance, and continual adherence to the word of God under all circumstances. We are here as probationers and are deciding our own eternal destiny.” The Signs of the Times, May 15, 1893.

“Those who would not fall a prey to Satan’s devices, must guard well the avenues of the soul; they must avoid reading, seeing, or hearing that which will suggest impure thoughts. The mind must not be left to dwell at random upon every subject that the enemy of souls may suggest. The heart must be faithfully sentineled, or evils without will awaken evils within, and the soul will wander in darkness.” The Acts of the Apostles, 518.

How many are there who fail to “guard well the avenues of the soul”? How many are there who willingly entertain every evil thought that enters their mind, not realizing that Satan slaps his knee in delight because he is causing another soul to fail of reaching the divine standard? How many fail to realize that they are “deciding their own destiny” and choosing—again, many unknowingly—to stand under the black banner of error?

It is not by chance that so many of the Bible writers have cautioned truth seekers against letting the mind wander wherever it may. Paul wrote more than once about the necessity of mental discipline.

“Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:2).

“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled” (2 Corinthians 10:4–6).

Isaiah and Jeremiah also cautioned their contemporaries about evil thoughts. When Isaiah fulfilled God’s instructions to him to “Tell My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins,” he summed up their faults by concluding that “Their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity” (Isaiah 58:1; 59:7).

Jeremiah reached very much the same conclusion when he told the children of Israel, “O Jerusalem, wash your heart from wickedness, that you may be saved. How long shall your evil thoughts lodge within you” (Jeremiah 4:14)?

Inspiration tells us that “In the struggle to reach the highest standard, success or failure will depend much upon the character, and the manner in which the thoughts are disciplined.” This Day With God, 66.

“Satan can not read our thoughts, but he can see our actions, hear our words; and from his long knowledge of the human family, he can shape his temptations to take advantage of our weak points of character. And how often do we let him into the secret of how he may obtain the victory over us.” The Review and Herald, February 27, 1913.

“There are many who are really troubled because low, debasing thoughts come into the mind, and are not easily banished. Satan has his evil angels around us; and though they cannot read men’s thoughts, they closely watch their words and actions. Satan takes advantage of the weaknesses and defects of character that are thus revealed, and presses his temptations where there is the least power of resistance. He makes evil suggestions, and inspires worldly thoughts, knowing that he can thus bring the soul into condemnation and bondage.” Ibid., April 8, 1884.

“Never forget that thoughts work out actions. Repeated actions form habits, and habits form character.” The Upward Look, 89.

And character determines where we stand. It is the only thing man possesses that he will carry with him to heaven. Inspiration states, “A character formed according to the divine likeness is the only treasure that we can take from this world to the next. Those who are under the instruction of Christ in this world will take every divine attainment with them to the heavenly mansions. And in heaven we are continually to improve. How important, then, is the development of character in this life.

“The heavenly intelligences will work with the human agent who seeks with determined faith that perfection of character which will reach out to perfection in action. To everyone engaged in this work Christ says, I am at your right hand to help you.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 332.

It is Satan’s sole objective to prevent man from acquiring this treasure, “a character formed according to the divine likeness,” and from standing under the blood-stained banner of Christ in this world so that he can stand spotless on the shores of the crystal sea in the next.

How many fail to realize that we do indeed have an enemy who walks about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour?

 

[All Bible quotes NKJV unless otherwise noted.]

John R. Pearson is the office manager and a board member of Steps to Life. He may be contacted by email at: johnpearson@stepstolife.org.

The Song of Deliverance

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“And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are Thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are Thy ways, Thou King of saints.”

Revelation 15:3

 

Music has ever been and will ever be connected with God’s marvelous works. Consider when this world was created. Wouldn’t it have been exciting to watch as the earth came into existence to see the sun appear from nowhere and in the darkness of the first night suddenly the moon appears? Can you imagine watching vegetation develop and seeing hundreds and thousands of varieties of creatures, from the tiny insects to the mighty leviathan, created before your very eyes? And then to see man made in the image of God?

I know you would have joined with the angels to sing with them as they praised God as we read in Job, “The morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy” (Job 38:7)!

And what about the Saviour’s birth some four thousand years later? Mystery of mysteries! The Son of God, the Creator of the universe becomes a helpless babe in a manger; born of flesh to show us how to overcome Satan. Wouldn’t it have been thrilling to have been out there watching with the shepherds and suddenly to hear and see thousands of angels singing, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:14)?

And what about Christ’s triumphant return to heaven after His crucifixion and resurrection? Oh, how the angels sang as they neared heaven. Death had been conquered. The resurrection of the saints was now assured. Listen as the angels sang as we read in Psalm 24:7–9: “Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.”

Let us consider two other mighty events connected with music. First, we shall consider the song of Moses inspired by the divine deliverance, the mighty deliverance at the Red Sea; and second, the song of the Lamb when the greatest of all anthems will be sung around the throne of God on the sea of glass. It will be a song that the millions of redeemed will sing.

“Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the Lord, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the Lord, for He hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and His rider hath He thrown into the sea. The Lord is my strength and song, and He is become my salvation: He is my God, and I will prepare Him an habitation; my Father’s God, and I will exalt Him” (Exodus 15:1, 2).

So reads some 16 verses. Every word so full of meaning, of war, of horses, of chariots which are cast into the sea, of a glorious triumph, a song of victory, but in order for us to catch the full significance we must review for a few moments the circumstances. God had revealed to Abraham centuries before that his children would become slaves for exactly 400 years, then they finally would receive the promised home in Canaan.

In Genesis 15:13, 14: “And He said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance.”

The four hundred years had nearly been fulfilled. Only a fraction of time remained. Notice how God faithfully carries out His promise. Exodus 12:51: “And it came to pass the selfsame day, that the Lord did bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their armies.” [Emphasis supplied.]

You can count on God who never fails to keep His word. Think of it – only 24 hours remained in the 400-year period. And now God through Moses tells His people: Tomorrow, Pharaoh will let you go a free people. The Scripture says it happened “the selfsame day.” Free at last! The Bible states in Exodus 13:20, “And they took their journey from Succoth, and encamped in Etham, in the edge of the wilderness.” God led the way out of Egypt.

“He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people” (verse 22). What a God! Not only does He direct them by the cloud but He considers every need, even the physical needs. He provides a canopy to protect them from the desert heat of the day, and by night, He provides a burning fiery cloud to give warmth in the desert chill and to provide light in the darkness.

Thus it was that God led them to encamp at the edge of the Red Sea on a vast sandy plain, an area large enough for an encampment of some two million, with all their animals. Here they were surrounded by a rocky defile, the mountains running down into the very edge of the sea. At this spot the sea is some eight miles across. An Egyptian garrison is located just to the north. There is no possible way of escape. Word is brought to King Pharaoh of their situation. We read in Exodus 14:3: “For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, They are entangled in the land, the wilderness hath shut them in.”

Can you catch the picture as the children are encamped? Suddenly there is a shout of fear. They look behind them and they see 600 chosen chariots plus all the chariots of Egypt coming after them. This was the mightiest army in the world at that time, coming to enslave them once again, forcing them to return to Egypt. Before them is a vast sea of water, eight miles across. There is no bridge, no ships; they are surrounded by rugged mountains obstructing their way. Behind them they see the flashing armor reflected in the sunlight. This army is led by the king himself, guided by the pagan priests of Egypt. Humanly speaking there is positively no way of escape.

But that’s only half the story. What they did not know was the depth of the sea before them. Archaeologists claim to have found the very spot on the Red Sea where the children of Israel crossed. What had never been seen before in modern times were two columns of stone, some 20 feet high, two to three feet across, one on either side of this crossing. And on these stones was discovered the words inscribed by King Solomon who erected these pillars to commemorate the Divine deliverance of the children of Israel.

Terror filled the Israelite’s hearts as they saw the army coming and they cried to Moses. Verse 12 says, “Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness.” But Moses knew just what was about to happen.

In Patriarchs and Prophets, 283, are these revealing words: “It was revealed to him [Moses] that Pharaoh would pursue them, but that God would be honored in their deliverance.” Let us never forget the promises of God as we near the end when we will be facing impossible situations. In Amos 3:7 we read, “Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but He revealeth His secret unto His servants the prophets.” Thanks for the Spirit of Prophecy that has given us such wonderful details of what we can expect. And so Moses speaks with positive assurance.

“And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will show to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace” (Exodus 14:13, 14). Immediately, God takes action. That cloudy column rises majestically into the heavens and passes over the Israelites, descending behind them, separating Israel from the enemy. What a surprise! The cloud gives light in the night to Israel but total darkness to the enemy.

And now comes the command. Verse 15: “And the Lord said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto Me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward.”

Imagine! Go forward? How? There’s no bridge, no boats, no rafts, it’s too far to swim, but by faith they did advance right up to the very water’s edge. Then Moses lifts his rod. One more step and the leader will be in the water. But wonder of wonders the sea divides before them. A mighty miracle is wrought by God and a path opens before them through the midst of the sea.

Remember, it is night. Patriarchs and Prophets, 287: “The light from God’s pillar of fire shone upon the foam-capped billows, and lighted the road that was cut like a mighty furrow through the waters of the sea, and was lost in the obscurity of the farther shore.” So, two million people with their flocks and herds follow the lighted path and walk on dry ground. The water stands on either side like a wall. Exodus 15:8: “And with the blast of thy nostrils the waters were gathered together, the floods stood upright as an heap, and the depths were congealed in the heart of the sea.” According to the Hebrew and Chaldea dictionary that you will find in Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, the word congealed means frozen water. In other words, God formed two walls of ice, forming a perfectly safe path to cross the watery deep.

The Psalmist has declared in chapter 77, verses 19 and 20, “Thy way is in the sea, and Thy path in the great waters, and Thy footsteps are not known. Thou leddest Thy people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.”

Now the suspense deepens. The Egyptians have pursued the Israelites. As the Israelites are coming up on the other side and are out of the sea, the Egyptians are right behind them when suddenly God’s marvelous black cloud that has been a cloud of protection turns to a pillar of fire.

As morning breaks, the Israelites have safely reached the other side in Arabia. From a night of terrible peril God has brought complete deliverance. Jehovah alone has made Israel’s deliverance possible. Only by faith and faith alone did they go forward.

Now the Spirit of God rests upon Moses. He leads the freed slaves in a triumphant anthem. It’s the song of Moses. “I will sing unto Jehovah, for He hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath He thrown into the sea. The Lord is my strength and song” (Exodus 15:1, 2, first part). Can’t you just hear two million singing such praises? Oh, how they must have sung! They had been freed from 400 years of slavery. Now they are totally free.

“That song does not belong to the Jewish people alone. It points forward to the destruction of all the foes of righteousness and the final victory of the Israel of God. The prophet of Patmos beholds the white-robed multitude that have ‘gotten the victory,’ standing on the ‘sea of glass mingled with fire,’ having ‘the harps of God. And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb’ (Revelation 15:2, 3).” Patriarchs and Prophets, 289.

Humanly speaking, we too have an impossible ordeal to face. Said the Psalmist in chapter 115:1: “Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto Thy name give glory, for Thy mercy, and for Thy truth’s sake.”

Have we considered lately what God hath done for us? How He has made it possible for us to be delivered from the power of sin if we will only follow the path that He has made for us? “In freeing our souls from the bondage of sin, God has wrought for us a deliverance greater than that of the Hebrews at the Red Sea. Like the Hebrew host, we should praise the Lord with heart and soul and voice for His ‘wonderful works to the children of men’ (Psalm 107:8).” Patriarchs and Prophets, 289.

Our hearts should be filled with the melody of gladness when we consider the daily blessings of food and clothing and shelter and health and the loved ones that surround us. All of these are blessings from the hand of God.

But above our temporal blessings consider for a moment what the death of Jesus means to you and me personally. He has brought the happiness of heaven within our reach. Because of His matchless love we are now called the children of God. We can look for a life that never ends all because of His matchless sacrifice on Calvary. Praise Him for a heavenly inheritance! Praise Him for His boundless promises! Praise Him that Jesus lives to intercede in the sanctuary above for us!

“Whoso offereth praise glorifieth Me” (Psalm 50:23). All the angels of heaven unite in praising God. Let us begin learning that song that we are going to sing that we may soon join the ranks of the angels. Said the Psalmist, “While I live will I praise the Lord: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being” (Psalm 146:2). “Let the people praise Thee, O God; let all the people praise Thee” (Psalm 67:5).

One of the most beautiful and comforting passages of Isaiah refers to that pillar of cloud of fire revealing God’s care for us in the final struggles just ahead. “In that day [referring to the end of the world] shall the branch of the Lord be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel. And it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, even every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem: When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning. And the Lord will create upon every dwelling place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory shall be a defence. And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the daytime from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a covert from storm and from rain” (Isaiah 4:2–6).

Isn’t it beautiful that we can expect again the Lord to cover us with His glory and take care of us as He did the children of Israel in the coming time of trouble?

But now notice a contrast of those who are within the church today claiming to be Christians but have never surrendered to God. “And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by Thy name, to take away our reproach” (Isaiah 4:1). These seven women are not pure women; they are impure. We are told they are taking hold of one man. The one man is Christ. They don’t want to follow His word; they don’t want to accept the Bread of Life. It says, they “will eat their own bread.” They have cooked up their own new theology based on manmade false doctrines upon which they are feeding. They even dress contrary to God’s way, refusing to put on His robe of righteousness which is given only to the obedient. They do not want to obey. All they want is His name, to be called Christians but refusing the clean, white fine linen which is the righteousness of Christ which God will place upon all who overcome every sin before He comes. Righteousness is sinlessness.

God’s saints are commandment keepers. They love Christ. “If ye love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). They are ready to be married to Christ. “Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to Him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God” (Revelation 19:7–9).

Are we ready for this experience?

God had a purpose in bringing Israel to the Red Sea. He chose this method to test their faith. With the enemy at their back, with mountains on either side, with an impassible sea before them, God gave the command, “Go forward.” What if they had hesitated? What if they had not gone forward until their feet reached the water’s edge? The result – God would have never opened up a path in the sea. “By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned” (Hebrews 11:29).

“In marching down to the very water, they showed that they believed the word of God as spoken by Moses. They did all that was in their power to do, and then the Mighty One of Israel divided the sea to make a path for their feet.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 290.

This lesson is for us today. We who are living in this time of the end will find that at times duty seems hard to perform. Both the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy picture a coming crisis, humanly speaking, that can only bring bondage and death, yet God speaks, “Go forward.” We must obey His command even though our eyes cannot penetrate the gathering darkness, even though the cold waves are gathering about our feet. We must remember that the obstacles that hinder our spiritual progress will never disappear before a halting and a doubting spirit.

“Those who defer obedience till every shadow of uncertainty disappears and there remains no risk of failure or defeat, will never obey at all. Unbelief whispers, ‘Let us wait till the obstructions are removed, and we can see our way clearly;’ but faith courageously urges an advance, hoping all things, believing all things.” Ibid.

The cloud of darkness to the Egyptians was to the Hebrews a flood of light. While the world is daily encountering a hopeless darkness in these days the soul trusting in God’s word will be filled with a light of peace. The Lord is about to deliver His people and He alone can give the victory.

“And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are Thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are Thy ways, Thou King of saints.”

By the grace of God, His people will someday soon sing this song.

For more than fifty years, Lawrence Nelson served the Seventh-day Adventist Church as a church pastor, evangelist, and then in Conference, Union, and General Conference leadership. When God laid upon him the responsibility to “tell it like it is” to alert the people how the church was leading them into the worldwide ecumenical movement, he was forbidden to preach in any church within the Oregon Conference. Elder Nelson passed to his rest on April 18, 2012.

The Warning

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Because Inspiration tells us that “Each of the ancient prophets spoke less for their own time than for ours, so that their prophesying is in force for us” (Selected Messages, Book 3, 338, 339), we need occasionally to examine those prophecies to determine if and how they apply to us now. In this article, we will examine a series of Old Testament prophecies from the prophet Ezekiel.

Ezekiel said, “Then the Spirit entered me when He spoke to me, and set me on my feet; and I heard Him who spoke to me. And He said to me: ‘Son of man, I am sending you to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against Me; they and their fathers have transgressed against Me to this very day. For they are impudent and stubborn children. I am sending you to them, and you shall say to them, “Thus says the Lord God.” As for them, whether they hear or whether they refuse—for they are a rebellious house—yet they will know that a prophet has been among them.

“ ‘And you, son of man, do not be afraid of them nor be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns are with you and you dwell among scorpions; do not be afraid of their words or dismayed by their looks, though they are a rebellious house. You shall speak My words to them, whether they hear or whether they refuse, for they are rebellious. But you, son of man, hear what I say to you. Do not be rebellious like that rebellious house; open your mouth and eat what I give you.’ Now when I looked, there was a hand stretched out to me; and behold, a scroll of a book was in it. Then He spread it before me; and there was writing on the inside and on the outside, and written on it were lamentations and mourning and woe” (Ezekiel 2:2–10).

Who is the house of Israel today? Ellen White wrote, “I was shown that those who are trying to obey God and purify their souls through obedience to the truth are God’s chosen people, His modern Israel.” Testimonies, vol. 2, 109.

Ezekiel was to give a message that he knew would not be received. He was told: “But the house of Israel will not listen to you, because they will not listen to Me; for all the house of Israel are impudent and hard-hearted. … Like adamant stone, harder than flint, I have made your forehead; do not be afraid of them, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they are a rebellious house” (Ezekiel 3:7, 9).

“So the Spirit lifted me up and took me away, and I went in bitterness, in the heat of my spirit; but the hand of the Lord was strong upon me. … Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear a word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me” (verses 14, 17). This experience was similar to that of Jeremiah when he decided that he got in so much trouble delivering God’s messages that he would not speak the word of the Lord anymore, but there was a fire in his bones and he couldn’t stop.

The Lord said, “When I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand” (verse 18).

This is also a warning for today. If you are called to be a watchman and refuse to give the warning message, regardless if it is heeded or not, God will require it of you. He will ask why you didn’t give the warning? Would you rather be in trouble with men or with the Lord? Seventh-day Adventists have been given a warning message to share with the world and will be held accountable for how they handled that message.

Ezekiel 5:5, 6 says, “ ‘Thus says the Lord God: “This is Jerusalem; I have set her in the midst of the nations and the countries all around her. She has rebelled against My judgments by doing wickedness more than the nations, and against My statutes more than the countries that are all around her; for they have refused My judgments, and they have not walked in My statutes.” ’ ” Have you noticed the word rebellion continues to come up?

Everything in this prophecy will happen again in the modern house of Israel just before the close of probation. Read the first verses of Ezekiel 7, the prophet that says the end has come, the day of judgment has come, and the day of doom has come.

In that context, with Ezekiel sitting before the elders, the Lord gave him a vision. God knows everything. He knows all the secret things that are going on in your life, everything that you attempt to cover. Adam and Eve were the first to attempt to cover their sin by hiding from God and making for themselves fig leaf garments. The very fact that they covered up shows that they were aware that they had done something wrong. So it is with all who attempt to cover their sins.

In vision, God showed Ezekiel exactly what was going on in the house of Israel that almost nobody knew about. Ezekiel said, “He stretched out the form of a hand, and took me by a lock of my hair; and the Spirit lifted me up between earth and heaven, and brought me in visions of God to Jerusalem, to the door of the north gate of the inner court, where the seat of the image of jealousy was, which provokes to jealousy. And behold, the glory of the God of Israel was there, like the vision that I saw in the plain.

“Then He said to me, ‘Son of man, lift your eyes now toward the north.’ So I lifted my eyes toward the north, and there, north of the altar gate, was this image of jealousy in the entrance.

“Furthermore He said to me, ‘Son of man, do you see what they are doing, the great abominations that the house of Israel commits here, to make Me go far away from My sanctuary? Now turn again, you will see greater abominations’ ” (Ezekiel 8:3–6).

The Lord then said it gets worse. “So He brought me to the door of the court; and when I looked, there was a hole in the wall. Then He said to me, ‘Son of man, dig into the wall;’ and when I dug into the wall, there was a door” (verses 7, 8).

Today, this would be referred to as digging up dirt, and if the problem is brought out, the one responsible would be accused of being critical, or of church bashing. But, in reality, those who criticize the watchman are actually criticizing the One who sent him to give the warning message.

The Lord told Ezekiel to dig, to investigate. Because the apostasy was covered up, unless you dig you would not know anything was wrong. So Ezekiel dug, “Then He said to me, ‘Son of man, dig into the wall’; and when I dug into the wall, there was a door. And He said to me, ‘Go in, and see the wicked abominations which they are doing there.’

“So I went in and saw, and there—every sort of creeping thing, abominable beasts, and all the idols of the house of Israel, portrayed all around on the walls. And there stood before them seventy men of the elders of the house of Israel, and in their midst stood Jaazaniah the son of Shaphan. Each man had a censer in his hand, and a thick cloud of incense went up” (verses 8–11).

Who were they burning incense to? Ellen White said, “Anciently it was a great sin for the people of God to give themselves away to the enemy, and open before them either their perplexity or their prosperity. Under the ancient economy it was a sin to offer sacrifice upon the wrong altar. It was a sin to offer incense kindled by the wrong fire.” Selected Messages, Book 3, 300.

“Then He said to me, ‘Son of man, have you seen what the elders of the house of Israel do in the dark, every man in the room of his idols? For they say, “The Lord does not see us, the Lord has forsaken the land.” ’

“And He said to me, ‘Turn again, and you will see greater abominations that they are doing.’ [This is the third time Ezekiel was told to turn and see something worse.] So He brought me to the door of the north gate of the Lord’s house; and to my dismay, women were sitting there weeping for Tammuz [a Samarian, Babylon deity, the god of vegetation and fertility].

“Then he said to me, ‘Have you seen this, O son of man? Turn again, you will see greater abominations than these.’  [The fourth mention of greater abominations.] So He brought me into the inner court of the Lord’s house; and there, at the door of the temple of the Lord, between the porch and the altar, were about twenty-five men with their backs toward the temple of the Lord and their faces toward the east, and they were worshiping the sun toward the east” (Ezekiel 8:12–16).

Pagans worshiped the rising sun in the east. When God instructed His tabernacle to be built, the entrance was situated so that those walking into it faced toward the west. On entering, they would face toward the altar of incense before the veil into the Most Holy Place where God’s holy law was kept within the ark with their backs to the sun. But here Ezekiel saw people at the temple who had turned their backs on the Lord and were facing the rising sun in the east. These people had turned their backs on the cross of Christ and the way of salvation.

What we are reading about here also is to take place just before the close of probation. Ezekiel 9:1–3, first part says, “Then He called out in my hearing with a loud voice, saying, ‘Let those who have a charge over the city draw near, each with a deadly weapon in his hand.’ And suddenly six men came from the direction of the upper gate, which faces north, each with his battle-ax in his hand. One man among them was clothed with linen and had a writer’s inkhorn at his side. They went in and stood before the bronze altar. Now the glory of the God of Israel had gone up from the cherub, where it had been, to the threshold of the temple.”

It is very serious when God leaves His own temple. “And He called to the man clothed with linen, who had the writer’s inkhorn at his side; and the Lord said to him, ‘Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and cry over all the abominations that are done within it.’ To the others He said in my hearing, ‘Go after him through the city and kill’ … ” (verses 3, last part–5, first part).

These are the people accused of digging up dirt. They refuse to go along with the mainstream who are not living according to Biblical principles. They recognize there is something drastically wrong and are compelled to speak up. They are not liked because they are not quiet, and if there’s anything that human organizations don’t like it is someone protesting what the majority are doing. These people are not popular because they are “crying out,” they are making a noise.

Look at the context here. It is those who cry out who are marked by the angels with a mark on their foreheads. This mark is the seal of God and is only received by those who protest the apostasy. They are hated by many people who consider them critical and negative. So the first person comes and puts a mark on people, and then after him there are several others who come and kill.

Notice what it says: “ ‘Go after him through the city and kill; do not let your eye spare, nor have any pity. Utterly slay old and young men, maidens and little children and women; but do not come near anyone on whom is the mark; and begin at My sanctuary.’ So they began with the elders who were before the temple” (verses 5, last part, 6). Notice that it is the ministers who will feel the wrath of God first.

“Then he said to them, ‘Defile the temple, and fill the courts with the slain. Go out!’ And they went out and killed in the city. So it was, that while they were killing them, I was left alone; and I fell on my face and cried out, and said, ‘Ah, Lord God! Will You destroy all the remnant of Israel’ ” … (verses 7, 8)? Are you not going to have any people left in the world? Are all the people that profess to serve You, are they all going to be killed?

“Then He said to me, ‘The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah is exceedingly great, and the land is full of bloodshed, and the city full of perversity; for they say, “The Lord has forsaken the land, and the Lord does not see!” And as for Me also, My eye will neither spare, nor will I have pity, but I will recompense their deeds on their own head.’

“Just then, the man clothed with linen, who had the inkhorn at his side, reported back and said, ‘I have done as You commanded Me’ ” (verses 9–11).

This is a Scripture that needs study to understand. We are not to sit by and do nothing when we see wrong done in our families or local church, but be faithful watchmen if we want to receive the mark or seal of God in our foreheads.

Ellen White commented on this Scripture saying, “The Lord reads the heart as an open book.” The Ellen G. White 1888 Materials, 1303. Nothing escapes His attention.

The Lord declares concerning those who are not connected with God and follow their own evil imaginations: “ ‘They have turned unto Me their back, and not the face, though I taught them, rising up early and teaching them; yet they have not hearkened to receive instruction’ (Jeremiah 32:33). We are amid the perils of the last days, the time will soon come when the prophecy of Ezekiel 9 will be fulfilled; that prophecy should be carefully studied, for it will be fulfilled to the very letter. Study also the tenth chapter which represents the hand of God as at work to bring perfect method and harmonious working into all the operations of His prepared instrumentalities. The eleventh and twelfth chapters [of Ezekiel] also should receive critical, thoughtful attention. Let these prophecies be studied on your knees before God.” Ibid.

She says, “… unless you take up the stumbling-blocks which by your own perverse spirit you have laid in the way of many who have been connected with you, God will turn His face utterly from you and your associates.

“True religion is the imitation of Christ. Those who follow Christ will deny self; take up the cross, and walk in His footsteps. Following Christ means obedience in all His commandments.” Ibid., 1303, 1304.

Can we really call ourselves followers of Jesus Christ if we don’t obey His commandments? Jesus Christ is the commander of the heavenly hosts, and a commander must be obeyed. He is a general of the armies of heaven. She says, “Following Christ means obedience in all His commandments. No soldier can be said to follow his commander unless he obeys orders.” Ibid., 1304.

Notice: “Those who do not now appreciate, study, and dearly prize the word of God spoken by His servants will have cause to mourn bitterly hereafter. I saw that the Lord in judgment will at the close of time walk through the earth; the fearful plagues will begin to fall. Then those who have despised God’s word, those who have lightly esteemed it, shall ‘wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east; they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord and shall not find it’ (Amos 8:12). A famine is in the land for hearing the Word.” Last Day Events, 234, 235.

When that time comes, you will not be hearing any sermons like this. “The ministers of God will have done their last work, offered their last prayers, shed their last bitter tear for a rebellious church and an ungodly people.” Ibid., 235.

No more sermons, no more prayers, no more tears. It’s over. Inspiration says, “Their last solemn warning has been given. O, then how quickly would houses and lands, dollars that have been miserly hoarded and cherished and tightly grasped, be given for some consolation by those who have professed the truth and have not lived it out.” Ibid.

No minister of God will then be praying for you or giving you an offer of salvation. At that time the last prayer has been made. All will have received the mark of salvation or the mark of destruction.

O, “for the way of salvation to be explained, or to hear a hopeful word or a prayer or an exhortation from their ministers. But no, they must hunger and thirst on in vain; their thirst will never be quenched, no consolation can they get; their cases are decided and eternally fixed. It is a fearful, awful time.” Ibid.

My dear friend, that time has not come yet but we are told that probation will close suddenly and when we are least expecting it. It is dangerous to hold on to something with the intention of overcoming it at some time future. There are many stories where people waited too late and then tragedy struck. Right now is the time of our visitation, not some future time.

When Jesus entered Jerusalem on His final journey, He wept, but not primarily for Jerusalem, which would soon be destroyed. He saw a much bigger catastrophe.

Our eyes need to be open to what is happening in Adventism today. As was presented to Ezekiel, we need to dig and see what has been covered up as the average Adventist has no idea how closely the Seventh-day Adventist Church today is linked up with the papacy. “When the Saviour saw in the Jewish people a nation divorced from God, He saw also a professed Christian Church united to the world and the papacy. And as He stood upon Olivet, weeping over Jerusalem till the sun sank behind the western hills, so He is weeping over and pleading with sinners in these last moments of time.” The Review and Herald, October 8, 1901.

Dear friend, if you are one of the sinners that Jesus is weeping over and pleading with, now is the time to call upon His name and repent. “Soon He will say to the angels who are holding the four winds, ‘Let the plagues loose; let darkness, destruction, and death come upon the transgressors of My law.’ Will He be obliged to say to those who have had great light and knowledge, as He said to the Jews, ‘If thou hadst known, even thou at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes’ (Luke 19:42)?” Ibid.

If you have turned your back on the Lord, now is the time to turn around. We all will have to face God one of these days. May God help us all to get the things in our lives into perspective and make sure our sins are blotted out before Jesus returns.

(Unless appearing in quoted references or otherwise identified, Bible texts are from the New King James Version.)

Pastor John J. Grosboll is Director of Steps to Life and pastors the Prairie Meadows Church in Wichita, Kansas. He may be contacted by email at: historic@stepstolife.org, or by telephone at: 316-788-5559.

Editorial – Doubting Prophet

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The word of the Lord came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, “ ‘Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me’ (Jonah 1:1, 2). …  As the nature of this commission, with all its difficulties and seeming impossibilities loomed up before Jonah, he began to question the wisdom of the call. As he questioned, he forgot that the God whom he served was all-wise and all-powerful, and he began to doubt whether he should undertake to carry out such a commission. While he hesitated, still doubting, Satan overwhelmed him with discouragement. Seized with a great dread, he ‘rose up to flee unto Tarshish.’ Going down to Joppa, and finding there a ship ready to sail, ‘he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish’ (Jonah 1:3).” The Review and Herald, December 4, 1913.

About six weeks later after a most successful evangelistic campaign in Ninevah, “When Jonah learned of God’s purpose to spare the city that had corrupted its ways b efore him, he should have cooperated heartily in this merciful design. But he yielded to his inclination to question and doubt, and, as the result, was once more overwhelmed with discouragement, and lost sight of the interests of others in his concern over himself. He felt as if he would rather die than live to see the wicked city spared; and in his dissatisfaction he exclaimed, ‘Now, O Lord, take, I beseech thee, my life from me; for it is better for me to die than to live.’ ”  Ibid., December 11, 1913.

Through some trial of discouragement, is the devil keeping you from doing what God wants you to do and has instructed you to do in His Word?

“Satan attacks us at our weakest points, but we need not be overcome. However severe or unexpected the attack, God has provided help for us, and in His strength we may conquer. … The hour of man’s necessity is God’s opportunity. He sees our danger and provides help for us.” In Heavenly Places, 262.

“God loves His purchased possession, and He longs to see them overcome the discouragement with which Satan would overpower them. Let no thought of unbelief afflict your souls; for unbelief acts as a paralysis upon the spiritual energies. Do not magnify your difficulties, but keep the Lord in your remembrance, watching unto prayer.” The Signs of the Times, September 10, 1896.

Lessons from the Life of David – The Humble Exalted

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February 17 – 23, 2019

Key Text

“For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted” (Luke 14:11).

Study Help: Patriarchs and Prophets, 695–706; Spiritual Gifts, vol. 4a, 85, 86.

Introduction

“Israel had a king by divine appointment. He who had waited patiently for the Lord, beheld the promise of God fulfilled.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 702.

Sunday

LOVE FOR AN ENEMY

  • How did David react to the death of Saul? 2 Samuel 1:4, 11, 12, 17–21; Matthew 5:43–45.

Note: “David’s grief at the death of Saul was sincere and deep, evincing the generosity of a noble nature. He did not exult in the fall of his enemy. The obstacle that had barred his access to the throne of Israel was removed, but at this he did not rejoice. Death had obliterated the remembrance of Saul’s distrust and cruelty, and now nothing in his history was thought of but that which was noble and kingly. The name of Saul was linked with that of Jonathan, whose friendship had been so true and so unselfish.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 695, 696.

  • What were David’s activities following his mourning? 2 Samuel 2:1–7.

Monday

MAGNANIMITY TOWARD ABNER

  • How did Abner cause problems for David in Judah? 2 Samuel 2:8–11.

Note: “The circumstances under which Abner was placed served to develop his real character and showed him to be ambitious and unprincipled. He had been intimately associated with Saul and had been influenced by the spirit of the king to despise the man whom God had chosen to reign over Israel. His hatred had been increased by the cutting rebuke that David had given him at the time when the cruse of water and the spear of the king had been taken from the side of Saul as he slept in the camp. … [1 Samuel 26:15, 16 quoted.] This reproof had rankled in his breast, and he determined to carry out his revengeful purpose and create division in Israel, whereby he himself might be exalted. He employed the representative of departed royalty to advance his own selfish ambitions and purposes. He knew that the people loved Jonathan. His memory was cherished, and Saul’s first successful campaigns had not been forgotten by the army. With determination worthy a better cause, this rebellious leader went forward to carry out his plans.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 698, 699.

  • After malice, ambition, and treachery had led to Abner’s death at the hand of Joab, how did David further demonstrate a noble spirit? 2 Samuel 3:27–39.

Note: “David’s magnanimous recognition of one who had been his bitter enemy won the confidence and admiration of all Israel. …

“Abner had been sincere in his offers and representations to David, yet his motives were base and selfish. He had persistently opposed the king of God’s appointment, in the expectation of securing honor to himself. It was resentment, wounded pride, and passion that led him to forsake the cause he had so long served; and in deserting to David he hoped to receive the highest position of honor in his service. Had he succeeded in his purpose, his talents and ambition, his great influence and want of godliness, would have endangered the throne of David and the peace and prosperity of the nation.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 700.

Tuesday

ONLY BY GOD’S PROVIDENCE

  • How did David react to the treachery employed by some who wished to gain his favor? 2 Samuel 4:5, 6, 9–12.

Note: “David, whose throne God Himself had established, and whom God had delivered from his adversaries, did not desire the aid of treachery to establish his power.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 701.

  • What principles followed by David won for him the support of all the tribes of Israel? 2 Samuel 5:1–5, 10. What principles should we have in view in the selection of church officers today? 1 Timothy 3:1–12.

Note: “Through the providence of God the way had been opened for him to come to the throne. He had no personal ambition to gratify, for he had not sought the honor to which he had been brought.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 701.

“His (David’s] firmness, humility, love of justice, and decision of character, qualified him to carry out the high purposes of God, to instruct Israel in their devotions, and to rule them as a generous and wise monarch.

“His religious character was sincere and fervent. It was while David was thus true to God, and possessing these exalted traits of character, that God calls him a man after his own heart.” Spiritual Gifts, vol. 4a, 85, 86.

“The same principles of piety and justice that were to guide the rulers among God’s people in the time of Moses and of David, were also to be followed by those given the oversight of the newly organized church of God in the gospel dispensation. In the work of setting things in order in all the churches, and ordaining suitable men to act as officers, the apostles held to the high standards of leadership outlined in the Old Testament Scriptures.” The Acts of the Apostles, 95.

Wednesday

NO EXCUSE FOR PRESUMPTION

  • How did David plan to officially acknowledge God’s supremacy over Israel? 2 Samuel 6:1, 2.

Note: “Now that David was firmly established upon the throne and free from the invasions of foreign foes, he turned to the accomplishment of a cherished purpose—to bring up the ark of God to Jerusalem. For many years the ark had remained at Kirjath-jearim, nine miles distant; but it was fitting that the capital of the nation should be honored with the token of the divine Presence.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 704.

  • What happened to Uzzah, and why? 2 Samuel 6:3–7; Deuteronomy 10:8; Numbers 3:29–31; 4:15.

Note: “The fate of Uzzah was a divine judgment upon the violation of a most explicit command. Through Moses the Lord had given special instruction concerning the transportation of the ark. … In the bringing of the ark from Kirjath-jearim there had been a direct and inexcusable disregard of the Lord’s directions.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 705.

“Upon Uzzah rested the greater guilt of presumption. Transgression of God’s law had lessened his sense of its sacredness, and with unconfessed sins upon him he had, in face of the divine prohibition, presumed to touch the symbol of God’s presence. God can accept no partial obedience, no lax way of treating His commandments. By the judgment upon Uzzah He designed to impress upon all Israel the importance of giving strict heed to His requirements. Thus the death of that one man, by leading the people to repentance, might prevent the necessity of inflicting judgments upon thousands.” Ibid., 706.

Thursday

SORROW LEADING TO REPENTANCE

  • What difference does the Lord make between those who have the light of truth and those who are in ignorance? Luke 12:47, 48.

Note: “David and his people had assembled to perform a sacred work, and they had engaged in it with glad and willing hearts; but the Lord could not accept the service, because it was not performed in accordance with His directions. The Philistines, who had not a knowledge of God’s law, had placed the ark upon a cart when they returned it to Israel, and the Lord accepted the effort which they made. But the Israelites had in their hands a plain statement of the will of God in all these matters, and their neglect of these instructions was dishonoring to God.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 705, 706.

“It is not enough to have good intentions; it is not enough to do what a man thinks is right or what the minister tells him is right. His soul’s salvation is at stake, and he should search the Scriptures for himself. … He has a chart pointing out every waymark on the heavenward journey, and he ought not to guess at anything.” The Great Controversy, 598.

“Those who claim to know the truth, and yet lay every obstacle in the way so that light shall not come to the people, will have an account to settle with God that they will not be pleased to meet. God manages His own work, and woe to the man who puts his hand to the ark of God.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 16, 114.

  • What did David, as should each of us learn about the sacredness of the law of God? 2 Samuel 6:8–10. How was Obed-edom exalted? 2 Samuel 6:11.

Note: “David was astonished and greatly alarmed, and in his heart he questioned the justice of God. He had been seeking to honor the ark as the symbol of the divine presence. Why, then, had that fearful judgment been sent to turn the season of gladness into an occasion of grief and mourning?” Patriarchs and Prophets, 705.

“Feeling that his own heart was not wholly right with God, David, seeing the stroke upon Uzzah, had feared the ark, lest some sin on his part should bring judgments upon him. But Obed-edom, though he rejoiced with trembling, welcomed the sacred symbol as the pledge of God’s favor to the obedient. The attention of all Israel was now directed to the Gittite and his household; all watched to see how it would fare with them. ‘And the Lord blessed Obed-edom, and all his household’ (2 Samuel 6:11).

“Upon David the divine rebuke accomplished its work. He was led to realize as he had never realized before the sacredness of the law of God and the necessity of strict obedience.” Ibid., 706.

Friday

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

1     What should we learn from David’s respect for Saul?

2    In what ways can we be sure to avoid being Abners who cause problems for church leaders today?

3    Just as some tried to enthrone David by wrong methods, how do some today seek to promote church leaders by man’s methods?

4    What message does the judgment upon Uzzah bring to us today?

5    What must we understand about sincerity and good intentions?

 

©1996, Reformation Herald Publishing Association, 5240 Hollins Road, Roanoke, Virginia 24019-5048, U.S.A.

Lessons from the Life of David – Danger in Compromise

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February 10 – 16, 2019

Key Text

“In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me” (Psalm 56:11).

 Study Help:  Patriarchs and Prophets, 672–674; Ibid., 690–694.

Introduction

“David did not renounce his worship of God nor cease his devotion to His cause; but he sacrificed his trust in Him to his personal safety, and thus tarnished the upright and faithful character that God requires His servants to possess.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 673.

Sunday

A LACK OF TRUST

  • What did David’s plan to free himself from the pressure of Saul demonstrate? 1 Samuel 27:1–4.

Note: “David’s conclusion that Saul would certainly accomplish his murderous purpose was formed without the counsel of God. Even while Saul was plotting and seeking to accomplish his destruction, the Lord was working to secure David the kingdom. God works out His plans, though to human eyes they are veiled in mystery. Men cannot understand the ways of God; and, looking at appearances, they interpret the trials and tests and provings that God permits to come upon them as things that are against them, and that will only work their ruin. Thus David looked on appearances, and not at the promises of God. He doubted that he would ever come to the throne. Long trials had wearied his faith and exhausted his patience.

“The Lord did not send David for protection to the Philistines, the most bitter foes of Israel. This very nation would be among his worst enemies to the last, and yet he had fled to them for help in his time of need. … God had appointed him to set up his standard in the land of Judah, and it was want of faith that led him to forsake his post of duty without a command from the Lord.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 672                                                      ·

  • How was David received by Achish, king of Gath?

Note: “God was dishonored by David’s unbelief. The Philistines had feared David more than they had feared Saul and his armies; and by placing himself under the protection of the Philistines, David discovered to them the weakness of his own people. Thus he encouraged these relentless foes to oppress Israel. … Furthermore, the impression was received by his brethren that he had gone to the heathen to serve their gods. By this act he gave occasion for misconstruing his motives, and many were led to hold prejudice against him. The very thing that Satan desired to have him do he was led to do; for, in seeking refuge among the Philistines, David caused great exultation to the enemies of God and His people.

“David was cordially received by the king of the Philistines. The warmth of this reception was partly due to the fact that the king admired him and partly to the fact that it was flattering to his vanity to have a Hebrew seek his protection.’’ Patriarchs and Prophets, 672, 673.

Monday

WRONG PLACE/WRONG SPEECH

  • What evil resulted from a few misleading words from the mouth of David? 1 Samuel 27:8–12.

Note: “While dwelling in this isolated town David made war upon the Geshurites, the Gezrites, and the Amalekites, and he left none alive to bring tidings to Gath. When he returned from battle he gave Achish to understand that he had been warring against those of his own nation, the men of Judah. By this dissembling he was the means of strengthening the hand of the Philistines. … David knew that it was the will of God that those heathen tribes should be destroyed, and he knew that he was appointed to do this work; but he was not walking in the counsel of God when he practiced deception.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 673.

  • How did David slip into deeper trouble? 1 Samuel 28:1, 2. What prayer of David indicates that he learned a lesson from his mistakes? Psalm 141:3.

Note: “David had no intention of lifting his hand against his people; but he was not certain as to what course he would pursue, until circumstances should indicate his duty. He answered the king evasively, and said, ‘Surely thou shalt know what thy servant can do’ (1 Samuel 28:2). Achish understood these words as a promise of assistance in the approaching war, and pledged his word to bestow upon David great honor, and give him a high position at the Philistine court.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 674.

“Let your life be free from deceitful practices. Let no guile be found in your lips. However, disagreeable it may be to you at the time, let your ways, your words, and your works show uprightness in the sight of a holy God.’’ Child Guidance, 150.

Tuesday

GOD’S DELIVERANCE

  • Despite David’s weakness, how did the Lord mercifully deliver him out of his predicament? 1 Samuel 29:1–5.

Note: “Far better would it have been for him to find refuge in God’s strong fortresses of the mountains than with the avowed enemies of Jehovah and His people. But the Lord in His great mercy did not punish this error of His servant by leaving him to himself in his distress and perplexity; for though David, losing his grasp on divine power, had faltered and turned aside from the path of strict integrity, it was still the purpose of his heart to be true to God. While Satan and his host were busy helping the adversaries of God and of Israel to plan against a king who had forsaken God, the angels of the Lord were working to deliver David from the peril into which he had fallen. Heavenly messengers moved upon the Philistine princes to protest against the presence of David and his force with the army in the approaching conflict.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 690.

  • What was the attitude of Achish when sending David home? 1 Samuel 29:6–11. What feelings might this have aroused in David?

Note: “The reply of Achish must have sent a thrill of shame and remorse through David’s heart, as he thought how unworthy of a servant of Jehovah were the deceptions to which he had stooped.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 691.

Wednesday

THE ONLY HOPE

  • What situation faced David back at Ziklag? 1 Samuel 30:1–6, first part.

 Note: “Here again David was chastened for the lack of faith that had led him to place himself among the Philistines. He had opportunity to see how much safety could be found among the foes of God and His people.’’ Patriarchs and Prophets, 692.

  • What did David determine in this hour of crisis? 1 Samuel 30:6, last part; Psalm 56:1–3, 10–12.

 Note: “David seemed to be cut off from every human support. All that he held dear on earth had been swept from him. Saul had driven him from his country; the Philistines had driven him from the camp; the Amalekites had plundered his city; his wives and children had been made prisoners; and his own familiar friends had banded against him, and threatened him even with death. In this hour of utmost extremity David, instead of permitting his mind to dwell upon these painful circumstances, looked earnestly to God for help. He ‘encouraged himself in the Lord’ (1 Samuel 30:6, last part). He reviewed his past eventful life. Wherein had the Lord ever forsaken him? His soul was refreshed in recalling the many evidences of God’s favor. The followers of David, by their discontent and impatience, made their affliction doubly grievous; but the man of God, having even greater cause for grief, bore himself with fortitude. ‘What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee’ (Psalm 56:3), was the language of his heart. Though he himself could not discern a way out of the difficulty, God could see it, and would teach him what to do.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 692, 693.

Thursday

OUR BOUNTIFUL PROVIDER

  • How did the Lord honor David’s prayer? 1 Samuel 30:7–10, 18, 19.

Note: “They [the Amalekites] decided to spare the captives, desiring to heighten the honor of the triumph by leading home a large number of prisoners, and intending afterward to sell them as slaves. Thus, unwittingly, they fulfilled God’s purpose, keeping the prisoners unharmed, to be restored to their husbands and fathers.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 694.

  • What spiritual lesson is contained for us in David’s decision regarding the bounties reaped from battle? 1 Samuel 30:21–26; 1 Corinthians 3:6, 7, John 4:36–38.

Note: “The more selfish and unruly of the four hundred urged that those who had had no part in the battle should not share the spoils; that it was enough for them to recover each his wife and children. But David would permit no such arrangement. [1 Samuel 30:23, 24 quoted.] Thus the matter was settled, and it afterward became a statute in Israel that all who were honorably connected with a military campaign should share the spoils equally with those who engaged in actual combat.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 694.

“Today in His great harvest-field God has need of sowers and of reapers. Let those who go forth into the work, some to sow and some to reap, remember that they are never to take to themselves the glory for the success of their work. …

“ ‘He that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together’ (John 4:36). Read these words carefully. Study their meaning; for they outline God’s plan.” Gospel Workers, 409.

Friday

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

1     How can we avoid adopting David’s logic in going to Gath?

2    Explain the dangers inherent in the worldly style of diplomacy.

3    Consider ways in which God delivers sincere souls in trouble.

4    Describe the background of Psalm 56.

5    What are the rewards of sowing and reaping?

Lessons from the Life of David – David and Saul

by

February 3 – 9, 2019

Key Text

“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid” (Psalm 27:1)?

Study Help: Patriarchs and Prophets, 661–663; Ibid., 675–689.

Introduction

“There is joy and consolation for the true-hearted, faithful Christian, that the world knows not of. To them it is a mystery.” Sons and Daughters of God, 354.

Sunday

COMPASSION TOWARD THE ENEMY

  • What can we all learn from David’s attitude when Saul was asleep? 1 Samuel 26:2, 7–12.

Note: “When Saul was repeatedly placed in his power, and his followers would have killed him, David would not permit them to do so, although he was in continual fear of his own life, and was pursued like a wild beast by Saul.” Spiritual Gifts, vol. 4a, 91.

  • How did David put Abner and Saul to shame in the wilderness of Ziph? 1 Samuel 26:13–20.

Monday

AWAKENED YET BLINDED AGAIN

  • What confession did Saul make? 1 Samuel 26:21. What was the character of Saul’s confession?

Note: “The enmity that is cherished toward the servants of God by those who have yielded to the power of Satan changes at times to a feeling of reconciliation and favor, but the change does not always prove to be lasting. After evil-minded men have engaged in doing and saying wicked things against the Lord’s servants, the conviction that they have been in the wrong sometimes takes deep hold upon their minds. The Spirit of the Lord strives with them, and they humble their hearts before God, and before those whose influence they have sought to destroy, and they may change their course toward them. But as they again open the door to the suggestions of the evil one, the old doubts are revived, the old enmity is awakened, and they return to engage in the same work which they repented of, and for a time abandoned. Again they speak evil, accusing and condemning in the bitterest manner the very ones to whom they made most humble confession. Satan can use such souls with far greater power after such a course has been pursued than he could before, because they have sinned against greater light.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 662, 663.

  • How did Saul respond to David’s mercy? 1 Samuel 26:23–25.

 Note: “The second instance of David’s respect for his sovereign’s life made a still deeper impression upon the mind of Saul and brought from him a more humble acknowledgment of his fault. He was astonished and subdued at the manifestation of such kindness. In parting from David, Saul exclaimed, ‘Blessed be thou, my son David: thou shalt both do great things, and also shalt still prevail’ (1 Samuel 26:25). But the son of Jesse had no hope that the king would long continue in this frame of mind.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 671, 672.

“[Saul] listened to every false witness, eagerly receiving anything that was detrimental to the character of David, hoping that he might find an excuse for manifesting his increasing envy and hatred of him who had been anointed to the throne of Israel. Every rumor was credited, no matter how inconsistent and irreconcilable it was with the former character and custom of David.

“Every evidence that the protecting care of God was over David seemed to imbitter and deepen his one engrossing and determined purpose. The failure to accomplish his own designs appeared in marked contrast to the success of the fugitive in eluding his search, but it only made the determination of the king the more unrelenting and firm. He was not careful to conceal his designs toward David, nor scrupulous as to what means should be employed in accomplishing his purpose.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 2, 1019.

Tuesday

BALEFUL TRAITS

  • What was the effect of envy in Saul’s life? Proverbs 14:30, last part; 27:4.

 Note: “It was envy that made Saul miserable and put the humble subject of his throne in jeopardy. What untold mischief has this evil trait of character worked in our world! … Envy is the offspring of pride, and if it is entertained in the heart, it will lead to hatred, and eventually to revenge and murder. Satan displayed his own character in exciting the fury of Saul against him who had never done him harm.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 651.

  • What other character trait was treacherous to Saul and many others? John 12:43.

Note: “One great defect in the character of Saul was his love of approbation. This trait had had a controlling influence over his actions and thoughts; everything was marked by his desire for praise and self-exaltation. His standard of right and wrong was the low standard of popular applause. No man is safe who lives that he may please men, and does not seek first for the approbation of God.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 650.

Wednesday

SPEEDING DOWNHILL

  • What warning from Scripture should cause every God-fearing soul to beware? Proverbs 26:24–27.

Note: “It was not the man David, who had done him no harm, against whom the king was contending. He was in controversy with the King of heaven; for when Satan is permitted to control the mind that will not be ruled by Jehovah, he will lead it according to his will, until the man who is thus in his power becomes an efficient agent to carry out his designs. So bitter is the enmity of the great originator of sin against the purposes of God, so terrible is his power for evil, that when men disconnect from God, Satan influences them, and their minds are brought more and more into subjection, until they cast off the fear of God, and the respect of men, and become bold and avowed enemies of God and of His people.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 2, 1019.

  • How can bitterness cherished in the heart affect anyone? Psalm 52:2–5; Isaiah 3:12, last part.

Note: “What an example was Saul giving to the subjects of his kingdom in his desperate, unprovoked persecution of David! What a record he was making to be placed upon the pages of history for future generations! He sought to turn the full tide of the power of his kingdom into the channel of his own hatred in hunting down an innocent man. All this had a demoralizing influence upon Israel. And while Saul was giving loose reign to his passion, Satan was weaving a snare to compass his ruin, and the ruin of his kingdom. While the king and his councilors were planning for the capture of David, the affairs of the nation were being mismanaged and neglected. While imaginary foes were constantly presented before the minds of the people, the real enemies were strengthening themselves without arousing suspicion or alarm. By following the dictates of Satan, Saul was himself hastening the very result which, with unsanctified ability, he was endeavoring to avert.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 2, 1019.

Thursday

A MARKED CONTRAST

  • When Saul was deceived by spiritualism, what message goaded him to final despair? 1 Samuel 28:5–8, 14–20. How is this a warning to any believer or church laced with hypnotism or similar trends?

Note: “All through his course of rebellion Saul had been flattered and deceived by Satan. It is the tempter’s work to belittle sin, to make the path of transgression easy and inviting, to blind the mind to the warnings and threatenings of the Lord. Satan, by his bewitching power, had led Saul to justify himself in defiance of Samuel’s reproofs and warning. But now, in his extremity, he turned upon him, presenting the enormity of his sin and the hopelessness of pardon, that he might goad him to desperation. Nothing could have been better chosen to destroy his courage and confuse his judgment, or to drive him to despair and self-destruction.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 680, 681.

  • In contrast to Saul, how can we be inspired by the attitude of David in the wilderness, even during his most disheartening times? Psalms 27:1–3; 59:1–3, 17; 142:1–7.

Note: “David composed many of the Psalm in the wilderness, to which he was compelled to flee for safety. … While David was thus passing through severe trials and hardships, he manifested an unwavering trust in God, and was especially imbued with his Spirit, as he composed his songs which recount his dangers and deliverances, ascribing praise and glory to God, his merciful preserver. In these Psalm is seen a spirit of fervor, devotion and holiness.” Spiritual Gifts, vol. 4a, 93.

“You need not be surprised if everything in the journey heavenward is not pleasant. There is no use in looking to our own defects. Looking unto Jesus, the darkness passes away, and the true light shineth. Go forth daily, expressing the prayer of David, ‘Hold up my goings in Thy paths, that my footsteps slip not’ (Psalm 17:5). All the paths of life are beset with peril, but we are safe if we follow where the Master leads the way, trusting the One whose voice we hear saying, ‘Follow Me.’ ”  “Ellen G. White Comments,” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 3, 1143.

Friday

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

1     How did David recompense Saul’s evil with good?

2    Explain why envy is such a dangerous trait.

3    How can love of self-approbation lead to envy?

4    Describe the method Satan used to obliterate any last trace of hope in Saul.

5    How can we be encouraged by David’s psalms composed in moments of trial?

Lessons from the Life of David – Developing Character

by

January 27 – February 2

Key Text

“He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city” (Proverbs 16:32).

Study Help: Conflict and Courage, 168–170; The Ministry of Healing, 485–487.

Introduction

“No form of vice has a more baleful effect upon the character than has human passion not under the control of the Holy Spirit. No other victory we can gain will be so precious as the victory gained over self.’’ The Ministry of Healing, 485.

Sunday

RESPECTING THE LORD’S ANOINTED

  • What kind of reception did David meet at Keilah, Ziph, and Maon? 1Samuel 23:1, 2, 5, 9–15, 19, 20, 24, 25.
  •  What happened between David and Saul in the cave of Engedi? 1 Samuel 23:29; 24:1–6.

 Note: “David had only six hundred men in his company, while Saul advanced against him with an army of three thousand. In a secluded cave the son of Jesse and his men waited for the guidance of God as to what should be done. As Saul was pressing his way up the mountains, he turned aside, and entered, alone, the very cavern in which David and his band were hidden. When David’s men saw this they urged their leader to kill Saul. The fact that the king was now in their power was interpreted by them as certain evidence that God Himself had delivered the enemy into their hand, that they might destroy him. David was tempted to take this view of the matter; but the voice of conscience spoke to him, saying, ‘Touch not the anointed of the Lord.’

“David’s men were still unwilling to leave Saul in peace, and they reminded their commander of the words of God, ‘Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul’s robe privily’ (1 Samuel 24:4). But his conscience smote him afterward, because he had even marred the garment of the king.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 661.

Monday

RETURNING GOOD FOR EVIL

  • What can we learn from David’s act of merciful restraint toward Saul? Proverbs 16:32; Romans 12:19–21.

Note: “The conduct of David toward Saul has a lesson. By command of God, Saul had been anointed as king over Israel. Because of his disobedience the Lord declared that the kingdom should be taken from him; and yet how tender and courteous and forbearing was the conduct of David toward him!” The Ministry of Healing, 484.

“The course of David made it manifest that he had a Ruler whom he obeyed. He could not permit his natural passions to gain the victory over him; for he knew that he that ruleth his own spirit, is greater than he who taketh a city. If he had been led and controlled by human feelings, he would have reasoned that the Lord had brought his enemy under his power in order that he might slay him, and take the government of Israel upon himself. Saul’s mind was in such a condition that his authority was not respected, and the people were becoming irreligious and demoralized. Yet the fact that Saul had been divinely chosen king of Israel kept him in safety, for David conscientiously served God, and he would not in any wise harm the anointed of the Lord.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 2, 1021.

  • How did David appeal to the heart of Saul? 1 Samuel 24:7–15.

Tuesday

LESSONS FOR OUR DAY

  • What should we learn from the caution with which David accepted Saul’s apparently warm response to his mercy? 1 Samuel 24:16–22; Matthew 10:16.

Note: “When Saul heard the words of David he was humbled, and could not but admit their truthfulness. His feelings were deeply moved as he realized how completely he had been in the power of the man whose life he sought. …

“Knowing what he did of Saul’s past course, David could put no confidence in the assurances of the king, nor hope that his penitent condition would long continue. So when Saul returned to his home David remained in the strongholds of the mountains.

“The enmity that is cherished toward the servants of God by those who have yielded to the power of Satan changes at times to a feeling of reconciliation and favor, but the change does not always prove to be lasting.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 662.

  • What occurred at a time when Israel seemed to be most in need of guidance and security? 1 Samuel 25:1, first part.

 Note: “It was when the nation was racked with internal strife, when the calm, God-fearing counsel of Samuel seemed to be most needed, that God gave His aged servant rest. Bitter were the reflections of the people as they looked upon his quiet resting place, and remembered their folly in rejecting him as their ruler; for he had had so close a connection with Heaven that he seemed to bind all Israel to the throne of Jehovah. It was Samuel who had taught them to love and obey God; but now that he was dead, the people felt that they were left to the mercies of a king who was joined to Satan, and who would divorce the people from God and heaven.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 664.

Wednesday

IN THE WILDERNESS OF PARAN

  • Where did David flee following the death of Samuel, and what was on his heart there? 1 Samuel 25:1, last part; Psalms 120:1, 2; 121:1, 2, 7, 8.

 Note: “David took the opportunity to seek a place of greater security; so he fled to the wilderness of Paran. It was here that he composed the one hundred and twentieth and twenty-first psalms.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 664.

  • How was David’s normally kind, gentlemanly spirit put to the test in Paran? 1 Samuel 25:5–12.

Note: “David and his men had been like a wall of protection to the shepherds and flocks of Nabal; and now this rich man was asked to furnish from his abundance some relief to the necessities of those who had done him such valuable service. David and his men might have helped themselves from the flocks and herds, but they did not. They behaved themselves in an honest way. Their kindness, however, was lost upon Nabal.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 665.

Thursday

A SOFTENING INFLUENCE

  • What was David’s reaction to Nabal’s ingratitude? How did Abigail respond? 1 Samuel 25:13–18; 23–28.

Note: “He [David] commanded his men to equip themselves for an encounter; for he had determined to punish the man who had denied him what was his right, and had added insult to injury. This impulsive movement was more in harmony with the character of Saul than with that of David, but the son of Jesse had yet to learn of patience in the school of affliction.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 665.

“The piety of Abigail, like the fragrance of a flower, breathed out all unconsciously in face and word and action. The Spirit of the Son of God was abiding in her soul. Her speech, seasoned with grace, and full of kindness and peace, shed a heavenly influence. Better impulses came to David, and he trembled as he thought what might have been the consequences of his rash purpose. ‘Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God’ (Matthew 5:9). Would that there were many more like this woman of Israel, who would soothe the irritated feelings, prevent rash impulses, and quell great evils by words of calm and well-directed wisdom.

“A consecrated Christian life is ever shedding light and comfort and peace. It is characterized by purity, tact, simplicity, and usefulness. It is controlled by that unselfish love that sanctifies the influence. It is full of Christ, and leaves a track of light wherever its possessor may go.” lbid., 667.

  • What was the effect of Abigail’s response? 1 Samuel 25:32–35, 38–42; Psalm 141:5.

Note: “Abigail was a wise reprover and counselor. David’s passion died away under the power of her influence and reasoning. He was convinced that he had taken an unwise course and had lost control of his own spirit. …

“There are many who, when they are reproved, think it praiseworthy if they receive the rebuke without becoming impatient; but how few take reproof with gratitude of heart and bless those who seek to save them from pursuing an evil course.’’ Patriarchs and Prophets, 667.

“David had taken an oath that Nabal and his household should perish; but now he saw that it was not only wrong to make such a vow, but it would be wrong to keep it.” The Signs of the Times, October 26, 1888.

“David afterward married Abigail. He was already the husband of one wife, but the custom of the nations of his time had perverted his judgment and influenced his actions. Even great and good men have erred in following the practices of the world. The bitter result of marrying many wives was sorely felt throughout all the life of David.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 668.

Friday

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

1     How were David’s men tempters to him in the cave of Engedi?

2    Knowing that apostate Adventists are soon to become the bitterest enemies of God’s people (Testimonies, vol. 5, 463), what should we learn from the noble attitude of David toward Saul?

3    What crisis in Adventism occurred at Sister White’s death?

4    Contrast the attitude of Nabal with that of his wife.

5    Like David, how are we tested in areas in which we may think we are already strong?

Recipe – Parmesan Cheese, Delicious and Simple

by

Ingredients

1 cup raw almonds (or cashews)

½ cup nutritional yeast

3/4 Tbsp. Herbamare, (herbed sea salt) more or less or salt-free seasoning if preferred.

 

Process

Combine all in food processor with “S” blade and process until powdery texture (or blender). Yummy! Use on spaghetti, popcorn, steamed veggies, etc.

Food – 2018 Clean and Dirty Food List

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One of the most important items in our lives is food. I appreciate, as many of you also, the idea that we are given the freedom to know what may or may not have more pesticide residues. We are given the freedom to choose our foods and to plan how to manage them and to know what vegetables and fruits need extra cleaning and preparation before serving. The EWG (Environmental Working Group) provides a list every year of fruits and vegetables so that you may know what is best for your family.

 

Environmental Working Group

2018 – Clean 15

2018 – Dirty 12
1. Avocados 1. Strawberries
2. Sweet Corn 2. Spinach
3. Pineapples 3. Nectarines
4. Cabbages 4. Apples
5. Onions 5. Grapes
6. Sweet Peas 6. Peaches
7. Papayas 7. Cherries
8. Asparagus 8. Pears
9. Mangoes 9. Tomatoes
10. Eggplants 10. Celery
11. Honeydews 11. Potatoes
12. Kiwis 12. Sweet Bell Peppers

 

 
13. Cantaloupes
14. Cauliflower
15. Broccoli

ww.ewg.org/foodnews/dirty-dozen.php

This list is good through the 2019 growing season when an updated list will be published.

 

Delicious, Simple, Parmesan Cheese

Ingredients

1 cup raw almonds (or cashews)

½ cup nutritional yeast

3/4 Tbsp. Herbamare, (herbed sea salt) more or less or salt-free seasoning if preferred.

Process

Combine all in food processor with “S” blade and process until powdery texture (or blender). Yummy! Use on spaghetti, popcorn, steamed veggies, etc.