Daily Lesson for Tuesday 14th of January 2025

How could it be that the God of the universe takes delight in mere humans, fleeting blobs of protoplasm on one tiny planet amid what is probably an infinite universe? How could it be possible that humans could matter so much to the Supreme Being, who is all-powerful and who needs nothing? These questions can be parsed into two aspects. First, how could God Himself be delighted? Second, how could humans bring Him delight, particularly given our sinfulness? The first aspect of these questions is the topic for today and the second for tomorrow.

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As we partially saw yesterday, God can be pleased by humans because God loves people in a way that takes account of their best interests, as would anyone who loved and cared for others.

Conversely, God is displeased by His people when they do evil. Indeed, Proverbs 15:8-9 teaches that, while the “sacrifice” and the “way” of the wicked are each an “abomination to the Lord,” the “prayer of the upright is His delight” and “He loves [the one] who follows righteousness” (NKJV). This passage shows not only that is God displeased by evil but also that He delights in goodness. It also puts divine delight and love in direct relationship with one another, showing the deep connection between God’s love and His delight, which appears throughout Scripture.

According to Psalms 146:8, “The Lord loves the righteous” (NKJV). 2 Corinthians 9:7 adds, “God loves a cheerful giver” (NKJV). Notice, first, what these texts do not say. They do not say that God loves only the righteous or that God loves only the cheerful giver. God loves everyone. Yet, for these texts to convey anything at all, they must mean that God loves the “righteous” and the “cheerful giver” in some special sense. What we have seen in Proverbs 15:8-9 provides the clue: God loves these and others in the sense of being pleased with them.

<–Monday Wednesday–>

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/25a-03-pleasing-god/

The studies in this quarters pamphlet encourage us to see God’s Love and Justice, just as we may sing in 
Hymn 79 – O Love of God, How Strong and True! which is a beautiful theme hymn for our studies.

 Our themr hymn rings throughout this weeks’ study time, as do
Hymn 77 – O Love Of God Most Full and 
Hymn 76 – O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go.

Our gracious God, and our Lord Jesus are so full of compassion for us, as was the father of the prodigal son. We can sing about this in 
Hymn 363 – Lord, Whose Love In Humble Service.

God’s 
Marvelous Grace – Hymn 109 is brought to us again on Wednesday, and finalizes in reminding us that “God’s redeeming work is not for us but in us”: 
Hymn 179 – The Wonders Of Redeeming Love, 
Hymn 337/338 – Redeemed, 
Hymn 402 – By Christ Redeemed and then 
I Will Sing Of My Redeemer – Hymn 343.

 Thursday encourages to have faith in our wonderful God and His Son, Jesus Christ so we have victory over the evil one: 
Hymn 608 – Faith Is The Victory.

Please continue to search the scriptures this week to be blessed, and to bless others.

 To learn unknown hymns, you will find the accompaniment music for each one at: https://sdahymnals.com/Hymnal/

Another great resource is for when there is a hymn you wish to sing but can’t find it in your hymnal. Go to https://www.sdahymnal.org/Search and in the search bar type a special word in that is in the hymn. I am sure you will be amazed at the help you will be given.

 2 Timothy 2:15 KJV – “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/3-t/