13.3 Bringing in the Sheaves
The Power of Remembrance: Hope from Past Deeds of God

Read Psalm 126. What gives strength and hope to God’s people? What is said here, in this context, that we can transfer to our lives today?

Psalm 126 expresses the gratitude and hope of God’s people based on the miraculous deliverance of God in the past. It teaches us the following about our relationship with God and our lives today:

1. Strength and hope: Past experiences of rescue and deliverance give God’s people strength and hope for the present and the future. Even in times of captivity and suffering, we can recall God’s past deeds and draw hope that He will also intervene in our current situation.

2. Gratitude and praise: The psalm teaches us to thank God for His miraculous deeds in the past and to honor Him through praise and worship. By remembering God’s faithfulness and care, we can strengthen our faith and express gratitude, even in difficult times.

3. Patience and trust: The metaphors of streams in the Southland and sowing with tears and reaping with joy remind us to be patient and trust in God’s timing. Even as we go through tears in difficult times, we can trust that God will reward us with joy and blessings in the end.

4. Expectation of restoration: The psalm also points to the hope of the restoration of God’s kingdom, which is associated with the return of Christ. This promise reminds us that our present suffering and toil are not in vain but will ultimately lead to a fulfilled and blessed future.

In our daily lives today, we can apply these teachings by remembering God’s faithfulness and care, honoring Him through praise and gratitude, patiently waiting for His guidance, and living in hope of the restoration of His kingdom. By holding onto God’s word and His promises, we can face life’s challenges with confidence and hope.

People can draw hope from their experiences by applying the principles of faith and spiritual insight.

1. Reflection on past experiences: People can draw hope from past moments when they clearly felt God’s hand in their lives. By remembering these moments and reflecting on how God has acted in the past, they can gain confidence in His care for the future.

2. Trust in God’s promises: Remembering God’s promises in the Bible and personal experiences of His faithfulness can give people hope that He is also with them in difficult times. Trusting that God will fulfill His promises can provide comfort and confidence even when current circumstances are challenging.

3. Community and support: Sharing experiences and testimonies with other believers can bring hope and encouragement. Through fellowship with others who have had similar experiences, people can be strengthened and draw hope that they are not alone and that God is also at work in their lives.

4. Faith in God’s sovereign leadership: The conviction that God reigns sovereign over all circumstances and that He can bring good out of difficult situations can give people hope. By relying on the fact that God works even in the midst of difficulties and that His actions lead to good, they can find peace and hope.

5. Personal prayer and spiritual practice: Personal prayer and spiritual practice allow people to establish a deeper connection with God and find comfort and hope in His presence. By trusting that God hears and answers their prayers, they can draw hope even when they are in difficult times.

Overall, people can draw hope from their experiences of God’s presence in their lives by relying on God’s faithfulness, promises, and sovereign leadership, sharing with other believers, and maintaining a personal relationship with God.

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/lesson-13-wait-on-the-lord-13-3-bringing-in-the-sheaves/

13.2 Peace of a Weaned Child
Resting in God: The Humility of a Quietened Child

Read Psalm 131. What does this Psalm teach us about our relationship with God?

Psalm 131 teaches us about our relationship with God in various ways:

1. Humility and dependence: The psalmist describes a humble attitude that relies on God rather than human strength or ambition. By comparing oneself to a weaned child who finds rest and security in the embrace of its mother, the psalmist emphasizes our dependence on God and the need to submit to Him.

2. Trust and peace: The metaphor of the weaned child with its mother conveys an image of trust and peace in the presence of God. This childlike devotion requires letting go of pride and self-centered desires. It reminds us that we can find peace and security by relying on God and trusting Him.

3. Recognition of our limitations: The psalmist acknowledges his limitations and inability to understand the deep mysteries of God. By not striving for “great things,” he demonstrates his willingness to submit to God and accept His guidance. This reminds us that we cannot know everything and that it is important to trust God even when we do not always understand His plans.

4. Participation in God’s work: The psalmist shows that those who rely on God and trust Him are able to accomplish God’s work and do His will. This willingness to do God’s will demonstrates a mature faith shaped by life experiences.

Overall, Psalm 131 teaches us about the necessity of humility, trust, and peace in our relationship with God. It encourages us to acknowledge our dependence on Him and to trust Him, even when we do not fully understand the magnitude of His plans.

“I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3). What is Jesus saying to us here? What does this idea entail?

In Matthew 18:3, Jesus says to His disciples, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” This statement by Jesus entails several important thoughts:

1. Humility and dependence: Jesus urges His disciples to be humble and dependent like children. Children have a natural inclination to rely on their parents and trust them unconditionally. Similarly, the disciples are to accept God’s care and guidance without reservation.

2. Trust and faith: Children have a simple trust and unwavering faith. They do not doubt their parents’ love and provision. Likewise, the disciples are to have a strong faith that trusts in God, even when circumstances are not fully understood.

3. Innocence and purity: Children are free from prejudice, bitterness, and malice. They are innocent and pure in heart. Jesus encourages His disciples to turn away from the negative influences of the world and instead preserve pure hearts.

4. Openness and willingness to learn: Children are curious and open to new experiences. They are ready to learn and grow. Similarly, the disciples are to be humble and willing to learn from Jesus, allowing themselves to be shaped by Him.

Overall, with this statement, Jesus emphasizes the need for a childlike attitude of trust, humility, and purity in faith to enter the kingdom of heaven. He encourages His disciples to open their hearts and turn to God in a simple and trusting manner.

The connection between our everyday life and faith is highlighted through these teachings:

1. Humility and dependency: In daily life, we often encounter challenges that can lead us to recognize our own limitations. The humility emphasized in Psalm 131 and Jesus’ statement in Matthew 18:3 reminds us that we should rely on God and accept His guidance, both in the small daily matters and in the larger life decisions.

2. Trust and peace: Our daily life may be hectic and stressful, but the teachings from Psalm 131 and Matthew 18:3 encourage us to have trust in God and find peace in His presence. By turning to God like weaned children and trusting Him, we can find inner peace despite life’s challenges.

3. Innocence and purity: In everyday life, we often face temptations and negative influences that can affect our hearts and minds. The need to maintain pure hearts, as emphasized in the teachings of Psalm 131 and Matthew 18:3, reminds us to turn away from the negative influences of the world and instead strive for purity and innocence.

4. Openness and readiness to learn: Every day, we have the opportunity to learn and grow, both in faith and in daily life. The openness and readiness to learn emphasized in the teachings of Jesus and the Psalms encourage us to be humble and willing to learn from God and others as we navigate through the challenges and experiences of life.

Overall, these teachings show us that our faith is not separate from our daily lives but is an integral part of it. By being humble, trusting, pure-hearted, and eager to learn, we can experience a deeper connection to God in our daily lives and recognize His work in our lives.

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/lesson-13-wait-on-the-lord-13-2-peace-of-a-weaned-child/

Lesson 13: Wait on the Lord
The Power of Patient Waiting: Trusting in God’s Timing and Guidance

In the spiritual journey of a believer, waiting plays a prominent role. The Bible is rich in stories of people who patiently waited on God while facing life’s challenges. In Lesson 13, we will delve deeply into the theme of waiting in the context of faith, specifically focusing on the injunction “Wait for the Lord.”

The call to wait on the Lord is more than just passive inactivity. It is an active posture of trust and hope in God’s intervention in our lives and in the world around us. This lesson will encourage us to reflect more deeply on the significance of waiting and understand how it can strengthen and shape our faith.

By examining biblical examples of faith heroes who waited for God’s intervention, we will learn how waiting can be a transformative force in our lives. We will also contemplate the hope and promises given to us as we patiently wait for God’s action.

Ultimately, this lesson will encourage us to remain steadfast in faith, trusting that God is faithful, and remind us that our waiting on the Lord is not in vain. May this lesson help us to delve deeper into dedication and trust in our Creator as we await the unfolding of His plans.

13.1 The Call of Waiting
Waiting on God: An Invitation to Perseverance and Hope

Read Psalm 27:14; 37:7, 9, 34; 39:8; 40:2; 69:7; Galatians 5:5; and Romans 8:18–25. What do these verses earnestly request of God’s people?

These verses in Psalm 27:14; 37:7, 9, 34; 39:8; 40:2; 69:7; Galatians 5:5; and Romans 8:18–25 fervently ask God’s people for patience, endurance, and hope during waiting. They call for trusting God amidst uncertainty and difficulties, waiting for Him to fulfill His promises. This waiting is not passive but requires perseverance and a deep longing for God, akin to thirst in a dry land.

In Romans 8:18–25, the Apostle Paul describes the waiting of the entire creation for redemption and reunion with God at the end of time. This hope is a source of strength and comfort for believers, even when faced with life’s challenges. Paul reminds us that God is with His people even now, through the Holy Spirit, and that our waiting for the fulfillment of promises is ultimately not in vain.

As Adventist Christians, we are called to bear witness to the hope of the new creation promised in Christ. Our hope in His return is firmly grounded in the certainty of His first coming and the associated resurrection. Therefore, our waiting is not merely passive but an active trust and anticipation of the fulfillment of divine promises.

The connection between our daily lives and our faith, especially regarding waiting on God, is extremely significant. Here are some aspects of this connection:

1. Patience and endurance: In everyday life, we often encounter situations where we need patience and endurance. Whether dealing with interpersonal conflicts, professional challenges, or personal goals, our faith teaches us to have patience and persevere even when solutions are not immediately apparent.

2. Hope and comfort: Waiting on God brings hope and comfort into our daily lives. Amidst difficulties and uncertainty, we can cling to God’s promises and trust that He cares for us and will guide us, even if it requires a time of waiting.

3. Community and support: Our faith community provides us with support and encouragement as we wait for God’s answer. Through prayer, mutual encouragement, and communal worship, we can strengthen each other and be reminded that we are not alone.

4. Self-reflection and spiritual growth: Waiting on God allows us to reflect on ourselves and spiritually grow. We can recognize our dependence on God and learn to trust Him even when we don’t understand why certain things happen or why prayers seemingly go unanswered.

5. Acting in faith: While waiting on God, we are called to act in faith. This means continuing to follow God’s commandments, serve, and advocate for justice and love, even when we do not yet see the complete fulfillment of His promises.

Overall, waiting on God is not just a spiritual exercise but also a practical attitude that permeates our daily lives, helping us to grow and mature in faith.

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/lesson-13-wait-on-the-lord-13-1-the-call-of-waiting/

Join Pastor Ted Wilson, president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, as he continues with part 2 of Chapter 25 of The Great Controversy by Ellen White, in which we discover America mentioned in scripture through prophecy in Revelation.

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/the-great-controversy-chapter-25-a-threefold-warning-part-3-pastor-ted-wilson/