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God’s Test of Loyalty, May 23
The Lord hath avouched thee this day to be his peculiar people, as
he hath promised thee, and that thou shouldest keep all his
commandments.
Deuteronomy 26:18
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God has a test for us, and if we come up to the standard we shall be a
peculiar people. The Sabbath draws a separating line between us and the
world, not faintly but in plain, distinct colors. To those who have received
the light of this truth the Sabbath is a test; it is not a human requirement,
but God’s test. It is what will distinguish between those who serve God
and those who serve Him not, and upon this point will come the last great
conflict between truth and error. All who profess to keep God’s law should
stand united in the sacred observance of His holy Sabbath....
When the destroying angel was about to pass through the land of
Egypt and smite the first-born of both man and beast, the Israelites were
directed to bring their children into the house with them and to strike the
doorpost with blood; and none were to go out of the house, for all that
were found among the Egyptians would be destroyed with them.
We should take this lesson to ourselves. Again the destroying angel is
to pass through the land. There is to be a mark placed upon God’s people,
and that mark is the keeping of His holy Sabbath. We are not to follow
our own will and judgment and flatter ourselves that God will come to
our terms.... That which looks unimportant to you may be of the highest
consequence in God’s special plans for the preservation of your life or the
salvation of your soul. God tests our faith by giving us some part to act
in connection with His interposition in our behalf. To those who comply
with the conditions His promise will be fulfilled....
We are faithfully to teach our children God’s commandments; we
should bring them into subjection to parental authority; and then by faith
and prayer to commit them to God, and He will work with our efforts, for
He has promised it. And when the overflowing scourge shall pass through
the land, they, with us, may be hidden in the secret of the Lord’s pavilion.
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