In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord thy Redeemer. Isaiah 54:8.
Through all our trials we have a never-failing Helper. He does not leave us alone to struggle with temptation, to battle with evil, and be finally crushed with burdens and sorrow. Though now He is hidden from mortal sight, the ear of faith can hear His voice saying, Fear not; I am with you…. I have endured your sorrows, experienced your struggles, encountered your temptations. I know your tears; I also have wept. The griefs that lie too deep to be breathed into any human ear, I know. Think not that you are desolate and forsaken. Though your pain touch no responsive chord in any heart on earth, look unto Me, and live….
However much a shepherd may love his sheep, he loves his sons and daughters more. Jesus is not only our shepherd; He is our “everlasting Father,” and He says, “I know Mine own, and Mine own know Me, even as the Father knoweth Me, and I know the Father.” What a statement is this!—the only begotten Son, He who is in the bosom of the Father, He whom God has declared to be “the Man that is my fellow,“—the communion between Him and the eternal God is taken to represent the communion between Christ and His children on the earth!
Because we are the gift of His Father, and the reward of His work, Jesus loves us. He loves us as His children. Reader, He loves you. Heaven itself can bestow nothing greater, nothing better. Therefore trust.—The Desire of Ages, 483.
With God at Dawn p.49
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Prayer Requests
—-My niece has been kidnaped. Please pray for her safe return. Pray for the family too. Dr. I
—-Please pray for all affected by the rolling blackouts. It it 11 degrees below zero here. Rose
—-Please lift my Father-in-law Robert and my Mother-in-law in prayer tonight. My Father-in-law looks like he will be passing away soon. Pray that though this time he has given his heart to Christ and pray for strength for my Mother-in-law. Brieanna
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Dear Friends,
Some years ago while doing some deep cleaning, I found a notebook belonging to Esther when she was thirteen. One of the items in the notebook was her thoughts after her Grandma Hartwell had died of a heart attack. She remembered that a week or two before this, Ron was talking to her on the phone and asked Esther if she wanted to say hi to her grandmother. Esther said that she was busy and would talk to her another time.
Before she had another opportunity, we got a phone call telling us that Ron’s mother had had a heart attack. Immediately, we made arrangements to drive to North Carolina to see her before she had the needed surgery. This took twenty-two hours. We drove straight through in order to get there as quickly as possible. When we crossed the border into North Carolina, we called to see how she was. Ron’s brother said that she seemed much better and that there was no hurry. We were so tired that we were not thinking clearly and decided to take the scenic route. Esther protested. She had the feeling that all was not well. How she wanted us to hurry. How she wanted to talk to her grandmother and tell her how sorry she was that she had not talked to her when she had had the opportunity.
Just as we pulled up to the hospital, they wheeled Ron’s mother into surgery. We never got to see her awake. Her heart was so bad that the doctor never sewed her back up and kept her heavily sedated until she died the next day. Esther cried the hardest of all. She was inconsolable. Until I read what Esther had written in the notebook I had found, I had no idea of this guilt my little girl was carrying.
How important it is to take the opportunity to tell our loved ones that we love them or ask for their forgiveness if we have wronged them. Life is uncertain. We may never have another chance to talk to them again. Even more important is the opportunity we have to accept Jesus as our Saviour. “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Cor 6:2 How vital it is that we spend time with Him, asking forgiveness for the many times we have failed Him, praising Him for His goodness and great sacrifice for us, listening for His guiding voice directing our path. How His Great Heart of Love yearns for us to fellowship with Him. He calls, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” Rev 3:20 Think of it! The Great King of the Universe, the One Who died for us, longs for us to learn of Him, to walk with Him, to be with Him where His is, to follow Him whithersoever He goes.
A time is coming when there will be no more opportunity to accept Him as our Saviour. How many in that day will cry, “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.” Jer 8:20 How few will be able to look up at Jesus coming in the clouds and exclaim, “Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.” Isa 25:9
May we take every opportunity to fellowship with our dear ones while we have opportunity. May we also take every opportunity to fellowship with our Dear Saviour “giving diligence to make [our] calling and election sure: for if [we] do these things, [we] shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto [us] abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:10, 11 May we “rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.” Amen! 1 Thes 5:16-24
Rose

This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. Lamentations 3:21, 22.
The way of the Lord’s helping we may not know; but this we do know: He will never fail those who put their trust in Him.—Prophets and Kings, 576.
God’s love for the fallen race is a peculiar manifestation of love,—a love born of mercy; for human beings are all undeserving. Mercy implies imperfection of the object toward which it is shown. It is because of sin that mercy was brought into active exercise….
The angels look with awe and amazement upon the mission of Christ to the world. They marvel at the love that moved Him to give Himself a sacrifice for the sins of men. But how lightly human beings regard the purchase of His blood!—Testimonies for the Church 7:264-266.
Those with whom we associate day by day need our help, our guidance. They may be in such a condition of mind that a word spoken in season will be as a nail in a sure place. Tomorrow some of these souls may be where we can never reach them again. What is our influence over these fellow travelers?—Prophets and Kings, 348.
The God whom we serve is long-suffering; “His compassions fail not.” Throughout the period of probationary time, His Spirit is entreating men to accept the gift of life…. It is Satan’s special device to lead man into sin, and then leave him there, helpless and hopeless, fearing to seek for pardon. But God invites, “Let him take hold of My strength, that he may make peace with Me.” … In Christ every provision has been made, every encouragement offered.—Prophets and Kings, 325.
With God at Dawn p. 48
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Prayer Requests
—-A friend of a person in my church was in a bad car accident and has a severe head injury. Please pray that he will be healed. Pray also for his girlfriend and his family. Mike
—-Please pray for my 81-year old best friend who has COVID-19. The great comfort in this is that she is a wonderful Christian lady who is ready to meet the Lord. ~ Martha
—-Please keep Viola in prayer, she had a stroke. But Praise GOD, she’s now back home. Sister Viola’s health is not the best so please keep her in your prayers! Sandra
—-Please pray for Bruce who is going to have surgery tomorrow. Rose
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Dear Friends,
This past weekend, I was video chatting with Ronnie Jay. Their weather was unseasonably cold also. Even so, he told me that he was going to go out looking for salamanders and other critters. I had to laugh at how he still loves to find animals and insects and interact with them. Ever since he was a little boy, he has enjoyed being out in God’s great creation. When we lived in the country, he roamed the hills and fields watching marmots, deer, coyotes, geese, and one lone wolverine. One day toward the end of winter, when he was in college he called and told me that the birds and squirrels that he fed were showing signs of pairing up for spring. Two squirrels were eating side by side instead of one chasing the other away. The birds were twittering and flying together in their distinctive mating dance. After the extra cold winter that we had had, these signs of spring were extra special to us and we hailed them with joy.
Just as Ronnie Jay could read the signs of spring all around him, so as we see the rapid fulfilling of the great prophecies of Daniel chapters 7-12 and Revelation chapters 13-18, we can know that the King of the Universe is soon to take us to His Heavenly Home as He has promised. (John 14:1-3) The signs foretold in God’s Holy Word tell us to “look up, and lift up [our] heads; for [our] redemption draweth nigh.” Luke 21:28
Our Dear Saviour, Who sees the future gives us signs whereby we may know the end of all things is near. He warns us, “Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. . . . Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. . . . For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened. Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before. Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. . . . Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.” Matt 24:1-33
May we be ” sober, and watch unto prayer” as we see prophecy rapidly fulfilling. 1 Peter 4:7; May we “give diligence to make [our] calling and election sure: for if [we] do these things, [we] shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto [us] abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:10,11 May we soon exclaim with enraptured voice and love-filled heart, “Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.” Isa 25:9
Rose

Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. Psalm 103:13, 14.
The same power that Christ exercised when He walked visibly among men is in His Word. It was by His word that Jesus healed disease and cast out demons; by His word He stilled the sea, and raised the dead; and the people bore witness that His word was with power. He spoke the Word of God, as He had spoken to all the prophets and teachers of the Old Testament. The whole Bible is a manifestation of Christ.
The Scriptures are to be received as God’s Word to us, not written merely, but spoken. When the afflicted ones came to Christ, He beheld not only those who asked for help, but all who throughout the ages should come to Him in like need and with like faith. When He said to the paralytic, “Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee;” when He said to the woman of Capernaum, “Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace,” He spoke to other afflicted, sin-burdened ones who should seek His help.
So with all the promises of God’s Word. In them He is speaking to us individually, speaking as directly as if we could listen to His voice. It is in these promises that Christ communicates to us His grace and power. They are leaves from that tree which is “for the healing of the nations.” Received, assimilated, they are to be the strength of the character, the inspiration and sustenance of the life. Nothing else can have such healing power. Nothing besides can impart the courage and faith, which give vital energy to the whole being.—The Ministry of Healing, 122
With God at Dawn p. 45
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for a boy on my bus route who is in foster care. Angel
—-My brother-in-law is in hospital with covid. They just put him on the respirator and have him sedated.
His wife is struggling through this and so is my husband. Suellen
—-Please pray for Barbara. She had a hemorrhagic stroke. She has been given a prognosis of only a few days left to live. Pray for her children too. Michael
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Dear Friends,
When I was a little girl, I spent many hours listening to my grandfather, Edwin Harmon, tell the stories of his life in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. Certain stories were favorites and I would ask to hear them nearly every evening. Patiently, he would tell them over and over again. Sometimes, however, my grandfather would tire of the same old stories and tell me of his heroes such as John Paul Jones and Teddy Roosevelt or of some movie he had seen called King Solomon’s Mines. I didn’t enjoy those stories at all. They were not stories of his experience, so I lost interest very quickly.
Even today, I enjoy hearing others tell of their life’s experiences. Whenever someone feels in a nostalgic mood and shares something of their memories, I am always ready to listen.
We each have interesting life stories to tell. There is one experience above all others, however, that we should love to dwell upon—–the story of our spiritual experiences. Indeed, our Dear Saviour longs for our walk with Him to be an ever flowing fountain touching all with whom we meet. He declares, “He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” John 7:38 He commissions us as He did Jeremiah of old, “thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.” Jer 1:7,8
Our Loving Redeemer proclaimed, “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” John 8:12 So it is that “He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself.” 1 John 5:10 The Great Light of the World bids us also to become lights to those about us. Just as there were stories that I didn’t want to listen to, so we will find many who do not want to listen to our witness. We must not become discouraged. We are to continue to shine. “No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light.” ” Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matt 5:14-16 Think of it! We “are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that [we] should show forth the praises of him who hath called [us] out of darkness into his marvellous light.” 1 Peter 2:9
May we speak often of our experience in the Lord showing ” forth the praises of him who hath called [us] out of darkness into his marvelous light. (1 Peter 2:9) May we “sing unto the LORD, bless his name; show forth his salvation from day to day.” Ps 96:2 May we “be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh [us] a reason of the hope that is in [us] with meekness and fear.” 1 Peter 3:15
Rose

And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, long suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth. Exodus 34:6.
It is our privilege to reach higher and still higher, for clearer revealings of the character of God…. It is sin that darkens our minds and dims our perceptions. As sin is purged from our hearts, the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ, illuminating His Word, and reflected from the face of nature, more and more fully will declare Him “merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth.” …
For those who thus lay hold of the divine assurances of God’s Word, there are wonderful possibilities. Before them lie vast fields of truth, vast resources of power. Glorious things are to be revealed. Privileges and duties which they do not even suspect to be in the Bible will be made manifest. All who walk in the path of humble obedience, fulfilling His purpose, will know more and more of the oracles of God.
Let the student take the Bible as his guide, and stand firm for principle, and he may aspire to any height of attainment. All the philosophies of human nature have led to confusion and shame when God has not been recognized as all in all. But the precious faith inspired of God imparts strength and nobility of character. As His goodness, His mercy, and His love are dwelt upon, clearer and still clearer will be the perception of truth; higher, holier, the desire for purity of heart and clearness of thought. The soul dwelling in the pure atmosphere of holy thought is transformed by intercourse with God through the study of His Word.—The Ministry of Healing, 464-466.
With God at Dawn p. 43
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for me I just lost my father. Raymond
—-Please pray for protection for G and B. God knows the reason. Buck
—-Unspoken prayer request for my family. EN
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Dear Friends,
Prayer. What a precious privilege! Think of it! Any time we want to, we may bring our petitions before the throne of the Omnipotent King of the Universe Who loves us so much that He sent His Only Begotten Son to this dark and sinful planet to die in our stead. Yet, how seldom we spend more than a few hurried moments in communion with our Heavenly Father. Somehow, we find time to spend watching TV, talking on the phone, or chatting on the computer but feel that we are too busy for communion with the One Who loves us so.
Our Dear Saviour felt the need for prayer and often spent the entire night in communion with His Father in Heaven. If He, Who is our Great Creator and Redeemer, felt His need to pray earnestly for long hours, how much more do we, who are weak and sinful, need to commune with Him? He had much to say about prayer. “When thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.” Matt 6:6-13
“And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” Luke 18:9-14
And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? Luke 18:1-8 “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.” Matt 23:14
Paul advises, “Pray without ceasing.” 1 Thes 5:17 As we go about our daily activities, our heart can be uplifted to our Great Redeemer, not just asking for our needs to be supplied, not just praying for friends and family, but also praising Him for His marvelous grace, for His blessings, for His help in every time of need, listening to His voice as He reveals wonderful things from His Word.
Our Saviour bids us, as He bid His disciples of old, “Pray that ye enter not into temptation.” “And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” Luke 22:40; 21:34-36 Amen!
Rose

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13.
Christ gave no stinted service. He did not measure His work by hours. His time, His heart, His soul and strength, were given to labor for the benefit of humanity. Through weary days He toiled, and through long nights He bent in prayer for grace and endurance that He might do a larger work. With strong crying and tears He sent His petitions to heaven, that His human nature might be strengthened, that He might be braced to meet the wily foe in all his deceptive workings, and fortified to fulfil His mission of uplifting humanity…. “The love of Christ,” said Paul, “constraineth us.” This was the actuating principle of his conduct; it was his motive power. If ever his ardor in the path of duty flagged for a moment, one glance at the cross caused him to gird up anew the loins of his mind and press forward in the way of self-denial. In his labors for his brethren he relied much upon the manifestation of infinite love in the sacrifice of Christ, with its subduing, constraining power….
In the life of Christ, everything was made subordinate to His work, the great work of redemption which He came to accomplish. And the same devotion, the same self-denial and sacrifice, the same subjection to the claims of the Word of God, is to be manifest in His disciples. Every one who accepts Christ as his personal Saviour will long for the privilege of serving God. Contemplating what heaven has done for him, his heart is moved with boundless love and adoring gratitude.—The Ministry of Healing, 500-502.
The infinite love of God has been manifested in the gift of His only begotten Son to redeem a lost race.—Patriarchs and Prophets, 469.
With God at Dawn p. 41
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for Annie who is recovering from back surgery. Rose
—-Please there is an awful situation going on with two of my sons and their families. Urgently needing prayer for them all right now. Connie
—-Please pray for me, I’m going for my commercial pilot’s license and I’m at the final test at my school, which afterwards I can take the FAA exam and get my license. Matt
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Dear Friends,
Two weeks after my seventh birthday, my mother took me to Wisconsin Dells for a vacation. It was not as commercialized as it is now, but there were still many things to see and do. We had a wonderful time. My favorite activity was the boat tours where we could see the beautiful rock formations on the cliffs along the river. Occasionally the boat pulled up to a dock and everyone got out and followed our guide through some cool, damp, narrow canyon.
We visited many gift shops and brought back lots of souvenirs. (Most were lost or ruined within a short time, but one souvenir I had until we lost everything when our house burned down in 1979) As we were walking along the street so long ago, we saw something about twice the size of a telephone booth. A sign on the outside of the booth read, “Record your own record.” We went inside. There was recording equipment as well as a little slot to put the money into that would start the machine. My mother whispered what I should say, and in a childish voice I repeated every word.
My mother mailed that little record to my grandparents, who listened to it for awhile, and then gave it to my mother. She kept it until I was a teenager. Then she gave it to me. That record was very special to me. It brought back memories of the wonderful time I had had. Throughout the years, I would sometimes listen to that little record until I nearly had it memorized. I loved to hear that seven year old voice even though I couldn’t say my “r’s” right and it sounded really funny. All I can remember now is, “Hello, Gwandpa and Gwandma. I had a nice west last night and a Daiwy Queen.” The equipment had also recorded my mother’s whispered voice, as she was giving me the words to say. That always brought a smile to my face. Eileen was the only one of my children who got to listen to that little record. It amazed her that I had ever sounded like that.
Our Great and Loving Creator gave us a record, a record that we would do well to read daily. We do not have to be in darkness, for He has given us Great Light. From Genesis to Revelation, His voice is recorded, that we may know the Way to Life Eternal. Without it we would fall off into the dark and wicked world. God’s Holy Word is a record of the lives of many of God’s followers throughout the time span of more than four-thousand years. It was written over a period of more than 1500 years by over forty men. Throughout the centuries, beginning at Moses and ending with John, the Scriptures were written similarly to that little record my mother and I recorded in 1952. Peter explains, “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” 2 Peter 1:20,21 Paul adds, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” 1 Tim 3:16, 17
As we read the stories of God’s dealings with the patriarchs and prophets who lived so long ago, we can recognize His dealings with us. “Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” 1 Cor 10:11 “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” Rom. 15:4 Through meditating upon their lives, we can follow their example in the good things and avoid making the same mistakes that they did.
David reminds us, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. Thy word have I hid in mine heart that I might not sin against thee.” “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.” Ps 119:105,130,11; 19:7-11
May we take God’s Holy Word as our only rule of faith and practice. May we “study to show [ourself] approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Tim 2:15 May we daily study the Scriptures with a heart that is receptive to His Spirit, that the same Holy Spirit that moved upon man to write it in the long ago may fill us with light to the Glory of God. (Matt 5:14-16)
Rose