Daily Lesson for Monday 19th of February 2024

Fallen human existence is but a vapor in the light of eternity. A thousand years in God’s sight is “like a watch in the night,” which lasted three or four hours (Psalms 90:4, NKJV). Compared to divine time, a human lifetime flies away (Psalms 90:10).

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The strongest among humans are analogous to the weakest among plants (Psalms 90:5-6; Psalms 103:15-16). Yet, even that short life is filled with labor and sorrow (Psalms 90:10). Even secular people, who have no belief in God, mourn and lament the shortness of life, especially in contrast to the eternity that’s out there and that, they know, threatens to go on without them.

Psalms 90:1-17 places the human predicament in the context of God’s care for people as their Creator. The Lord has been the dwelling place of His people in all generations (Psalms 90:1-2). The Hebrew word ma‘on, “dwelling place,” portrays the Lord as the shelter or refuge of His people (Psalms 91:9).

God restrains His righteous wrath and extends His grace anew. The psalmist exclaims, “Who knows the power of Your anger?” (Psalms 90:11, NKJV), implying that no one has ever experienced the full effect of God’s anger against sin, and so, there is hope for people to repent and gain wisdom for righteous living.

Wisdom in the Bible depicts not merely intelligence but reverence for God. The wisdom that we need is knowing how “to number our days” (Psalms 90:12). If we can number our days, it means that our days are limited and that we know that they are limited. Wise living means living with an awareness of life’s transience that leads to faith and obedience. This wisdom is gained only through repentance (Psalms 90:8,12) and God’s gifts of forgiveness, compassion, and mercy (Psalms 90:13-14).

Our fundamental problem stems not from the fact that we are created as human beings but from sin and from what sin has wrought in our world. Its devastating effects are seen everywhere and in every person.

Thanks to Jesus, however, a way has been made for us out of our human predicament (John 1:29, John 3:14-21). Otherwise, we would have no hope at all.

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/24a-08-teach-us-to-number-our-days/

Daily Lesson for Sunday 18th of February 2024

The Bible depicts a daily life of faith as a pilgrimage (“walk”) with God in His path of righteousness. The life of faith is maintained by walking “in the law of the Lord” (Psalms 119:1, NKJV) and by walking “in the light of Your countenance” (Psalms 89:15, NKJV). These are by no means two different walks. Walking in the light of God’s countenance implies upholding God’s law. Equally, walking “in the law of the Lord” involves seeking God with the whole heart (Psalms 119:1-2,10).

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Being “undefiled in the way” is another way the Psalms describe the righteous life (Psalms 119:1). “Undefiled” describes a sacrifice “without blemish” that is acceptable to God (Exodus 12:5). Likewise, the life of the righteous individual is a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1). Thus, a love for sin must not defile it. A life devoted to God is also a “perfect way,” meaning that the person assumes a right direction in life that is pleasing to God (Psalms 101:2,6; see also Psalms 18:32).

Keeping God’s commandments has nothing to do with a legalistic observance of divine rules. On the contrary, it consists of “a good understanding” of the difference between right and wrong and good and evil (Psalms 111:10; see also 1 Chronicles 22:12), and involves the whole person, not merely outward actions. Being “undefiled,” keeping God’s commandments and seeking God with the whole heart, are inseparable attitudes in life (Psalms 119:1, 2).

God’s commandments are a revelation of God’s will for the world. They instruct people on how to become wise and to live in freedom and peace (Psalms 119:7-11,133). The psalmist delights in the law because the law assures him of God’s faithfulness (Psalms 119:77,174).

“Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble” (Psalms 119:165, NKJV). The image of stumbling depicts moral failure. As the lamp to the psalmist’s feet (Psalms 119:105), God’s Word protects us from temptations (Psalms 119:110).

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/24a-08-your-word-i-have-hidden-in-my-heart/

Daily Lesson for Saturday 17th of February 2024

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Read for This Week’s Study

Psalms 119:1-16, Psalms 90:1-17, John 3:16, Psalms 95:7-11, Psalms 141:1-10, Psalms 128:1-6.

Memory Text:

“So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalms 90:1-17:12, NKJV).

As we have seen, God’s grace provides for the forgiveness of sin, and it creates a new heart in the repentant sinner, who now lives by faith.

God’s Word also provides instructions for righteous living (Psalms 119:9-16). Keeping God’s law is by no means a legalistic observance of rules but life in an intimate relationship with God, a life full of blessings (Psalms 119:1-2; Psalms 128:1-6).

However, the life of the righteous person is not without temptations. Sometimes the righteous can be tempted by the cunning nature of sin (Psalms 141:2-4) and even fall to that temptation. God allows times of testing to let His children’s faithfulness (or unfaithfulness) be clearly revealed. If God’s children heed God’s instruction and admonishment, their faith will be purified and their trust in the Lord strengthened. Wisdom for righteous living is gained through the dynamics of life with God amid temptations and challenges. Thus, the prayer that God would teach us to number our days so that we may gain a heart of wisdom (Psalms 90:12) reflects an ongoing commitment to walk in faithfulness to the Lord.

*Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, February 24.

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/24a-08-wisdom-for-righteous-living/

The Mission program of the Seventh-day Adventist Church is an opportunity for us to understand the needs of others and share in supporting them. Please click on the image below to watch the Mission Spotlight presentation for this week:

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/mission-spotlight-for-february-17/

What should be the effect of receiving God’s mercy in one’s heart? Join us as we discuss Lesson 7 – Your Mercy Reaches Unto the Heavens.

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/your-mercy-reaches-unto-the-heavens-hit-the-mark-sabbath-school/