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Christ Taught from Nature, March 25
If then God so clothe the grass, which is today in the field, and tomorrow is
cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?
Luke 12:28
.
God encourages us to contemplate His works in the natural world. He desires
that we shall turn our mind from the study of the artificial to the natural. We shall
understand this better as we lift up our eyes to the hills of God, and contemplate
the works which His own hands have created. They are God’s work. His hand has
molded the mountains and balances them in their position, that they shall not be
moved except at His command. The wind, the sun, the rain, the snow, and the ice
are all His ministers to do His will.
Can we be surprised, then, that Christ, who made all things, should choose the
open air as His sanctuary; that He should desire to be surrounded by the works of
His creation? ... Jesus drew His lessons of spiritual instruction from the natural
things with which His hearers were familiar. These He used to represent the truth.
He would pluck the lilies, the flower of the valley, and place them in the hands of
the little children, and by these simple instructors proclaim the truth of His Word.
The Word of God and the things of nature around us are our lesson book. God has
spread out before our senses the beauties of nature, and He watches with pleasure
and a Father’s joy the delight of His children in the beautiful things around them.
The root of the tree has a double office to fill. It is to hold fast by its tendrils
to the earth, while it takes to itself the nourishment desired. Thus it is with the
Christian. When his union with Christ, the parent stalk, is complete, when he
feeds upon Him, currents of spiritual strength are given to the branches. Can
the leaves of such a branch wither? Never. As long as the soul reaches toward
Christ, there is little danger that the leaves will wilt and droop and decay. And
the temptations which may come in like a tempest will not uproot him. The true
Christian draws his motives of action from his deep love for his Redeemer. His
affection for his Master is true and holy. And it is the cheerful, lovable Christian
of whom Christ says, “Ye are my witnesses” (
Isaiah 43:10
)....
Those who have fled to God for refuge; those who have believed the heaven-
sent message, who believe the assurance that, if they confess their sins, He is
faithful and just to forgive them their sins, God will cleanse from all unrighteous-
ness. Our God has pledged His word by His own greatness and infinity that He
will bestow pardon and peace upon all who will come to Him in the name of
Jesus.—
Manuscript 16, March 25, 1897
, “Principles of Education.”
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