The Desire of Ages--40--A Night on the Lake

[Dorine]

Day by day God instructs His children. By the circumstances of the daily life He is preparing them to act their part upon that wider stage to which His providence has appointed them. It is the issue of the daily test that determines their victory or defeat in life’s great crisis. { DA 382.3}

As the girls and I head for the seashore this morning to collect our summer's supply of seaweed for the garden I will meditate on these thoughts. Even in this simple (but hard work) Jesus is with us. As we commune with Him through song and sharing with each other the task is made easier. It's a special time also to interact with those stopping by to inquire what we are doing. It amazes us that so many living near the sea have never heard of the benefits of seaweed in the garden. We've had many opportunities to stop and interact with them including spiritual conversations. As we daily walk with God He brings circumstances onto our path that depending on our response will bring victory or defeat for that day.

[Richard Myers]

Amen dear sister and Brother!  Today, as never before, there are so very many seeking truth. It is easy to find those each day who are wanting to know more about the Bible and what is coming. Do we share with these that our only hope is to be trust in God with all we have and all we are. The only way we can trust God with all we have is to know Him intimately.

Those who fail to realize their constant dependence upon God will be overcome by temptation. We may now suppose that our feet stand secure, and that we shall never be moved. We may say with confidence, “I know in whom I have believed; nothing can shake my faith in God and in His word.” But Satan is planning to take advantage of our hereditary and cultivated traits of character, and to blind our eyes to our own necessities and defects. Only through realizing our own weakness and looking steadfastly unto Jesus can we walk securely. { DA 382.4}

[Richard Myers]

Jesus had not forgotten them. The Watcher on the shore saw those fear-stricken men battling with the tempest. Not for a moment did He lose sight of His disciples. With deepest solicitude His eyes followed the storm-tossed boat with its precious burden; for these men were to be the light of the world. As a mother in tender love watches her child, so the compassionate Master watched His disciples. When their hearts were subdued, their unholy ambition quelled, and in humility they prayed for help, it was given them. { DA 381.1}

Do we think that those whom the end the world is come upon might have the same blessing when our hearts are subdued and our unholy ambition is quelled?

[JimB]

Jesus had not forgotten them. The Watcher on the shore saw those fear-stricken men battling with the tempest. Not for a moment did He lose sight of His disciples. With deepest solicitude His eyes followed the storm-tossed boat with its precious burden; for these men were to be the light of the world. As a mother in tender love watches her child, so the compassionate Master watched His disciples. When their hearts were subdued, their unholy ambition quelled, and in humility they prayed for help, it was given them. { DA 381.1}

How much better off we would be if we'd keep this in mind. He is constantly watching over us.

[Richard Myers]

Amen Brother Jim! Jesus loves us!!

Day by day God instructs His children. By the circumstances of the daily life He is preparing them to act their part upon that wider stage to which His providence has appointed them. It is the issue of the daily test that determines their victory or defeat in life’s great crisis.

Those who fail to realize their constant dependence upon God will be overcome by temptation. We may now suppose that our feet stand secure, and that we shall never be moved. We may say with confidence, “I know in whom I have believed; nothing can shake my faith in God and in His word.” But Satan is planning to take advantage of our hereditary and cultivated traits of character, and to blind our eyes to our own necessities and defects. Only through realizing our own weakness and looking steadfastly unto Jesus can we walk securely. { DA 382.4}

We must cling to Jesus moment by moment if we want to not crucify Jesus afresh.

[Pastor Sean Brizendine]

Amen, Brother Jim and Brother Richard!

Praise God for the way He delivers us! Trials well borne today are preparatory for greater trials before Jesus comes! Even Jesus experienced trials and suffering, and His learning from it prepared Him to bear without sin all the sin of the whole world! "Though he were a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things which he suffered" (Hebrews 5:. What a wonderful Savior!!

"Jesus read the character of His disciples. He knew how sorely their faith was to be tried. In this incident on the sea He desired to reveal to Peter his own weakness,—to show that his safety was in constant dependence upon divine power. Amid the storms of temptation he could walk safely only as in utter self-distrust he should rely upon the Saviour. It was on the point where he thought himself strong that Peter was weak; and not until he discerned his weakness could he realize his need of dependence upon Christ. Had he learned the lesson that Jesus sought to teach him in that experience on the sea, he would not have failed when the great test came upon him." {The Desire of Ages, page 382, paragraph 2}

When we live by faith on Christ as our personal Savior, He sends the Holy Spirit to live out His character in and through us! All of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing are the evidence of His presence in our souls as we affectionately obey Him all the light of truth He has revealed! Let us not grieve Him by choosing our own way, but learn to trust Him with all we have and are! He calls us to a continual full surrender!

[Richard Myers]

There is no greater sin than unbelief.

Unbelief was taking possession of their minds and hearts. Love of honor had blinded them. They knew that Jesus was hated by the Pharisees, and they were eager to see Him exalted as they thought He should be. To be united with a teacher who could work mighty miracles, and yet to be reviled as deceivers, was a trial they could ill endure. Were they always to be accounted followers of a false prophet? Would Christ never assert His authority as king? Why did not He who possessed such power reveal Himself in His true character, and make their way less painful? Why had He not saved John the Baptist from a violent death? Thus the disciples reasoned until they brought upon themselves great spiritual darkness. They questioned, Could Jesus be an impostor, as the Pharisees asserted? { DA 380.1}

[Richard Myers]

When trouble comes upon us, how often we are like Peter! We look upon the waves, instead of keeping our eyes fixed upon the Saviour......Jesus read the character of His disciples. He knew how sorely their faith was to be tried. In this incident on the sea He desired to reveal to Peter his own weakness,—to show that his safety was in constant dependence upon divine power. Amid the storms of temptation he could walk safely only as in utter self-distrust he should rely upon the Saviour. It was on the point where he thought himself strong that Peter was weak; and not until he discerned his weakness could he realize his need of dependence upon Christ. Had he learned the lesson that Jesus sought to teach him in that experience on the sea, he would not have failed when the great test came upon him.

Day by day God instructs His children. By the circumstances of the daily life He is preparing them to act their part upon that wider stage to which His providence has appointed them. It is the issue of the daily test that determines their victory or defeat in life’s great crisis. Those who fail to realize their constant dependence upon God will be overcome by temptation. We may now suppose that our feet stand secure, and that we shall never be moved. We may say with confidence, “I know in whom I have believed; nothing can shake my faith in God and in His word.” But Satan is planning to take advantage of our hereditary and cultivated traits of character, and to blind our eyes to our own necessities and defects. Only through realizing our own weakness and looking steadfastly unto Jesus can we walk securely.  DA 382.

Have we discovered our weakness? Have we learned the lesson that God intended Peter to learn? When will we awake to the truth that unless we keep our eyes and mind focused on Jesus, we shall be overcome? How many times do we fail and yet not learn of our moment by moment dependency upon Jesus?  Yes, we still have an Intercessor, but every day we are forming habits of obedience or disobedience. It is our character that will determine whether we live or die. Jesus is on our side. Then let us cling to Him that we can win the race.