10
The Desire of Ages
earth with beauty, and the air with song. And upon all things in earth,
and air, and sky, He wrote the message of the Father’s love.
Now sin has marred God’s perfect work, yet that handwriting re-
mains. Even now all created things declare the glory of His excellence.
There is nothing, save the selfish heart of man, that lives unto itself.
No bird that cleaves the air, no animal that moves upon the ground,
but ministers to some other life. There is no leaf of the forest, or lowly
blade of grass, but has its ministry. Every tree and shrub and leaf pours
forth that element of life without which neither man nor animal could
live; and man and animal, in turn, minister to the life of tree and shrub
and leaf. The flowers breathe fragrance and unfold their beauty in
blessing to the world. The sun sheds its light to gladden a thousand
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worlds. The ocean, itself the source of all our springs and fountains,
receives the streams from every land, but takes to give. The mists
ascending from its bosom fall in showers to water the earth, that it may
bring forth and bud.
The angels of glory find their joy in giving,—giving love and
tireless watchcare to souls that are fallen and unholy. Heavenly beings
woo the hearts of men; they bring to this dark world light from the
courts above; by gentle and patient ministry they move upon the
human spirit, to bring the lost into a fellowship with Christ which is
even closer than they themselves can know.
But turning from all lesser representations, we behold God in Jesus.
Looking unto Jesus we see that it is the glory of our God to give. “I do
nothing of Myself,” said Christ; “the living Father hath sent Me, and I
live by the Father.” “I seek not Mine own glory,” but the glory of Him
that sent Me.
John 8:28
;
6:57
;
8:50
;
7:18
. In these words is set forth
the great principle which is the law of life for the universe. All things
Christ received from God, but He took to give. So in the heavenly
courts, in His ministry for all created beings: through the beloved Son,
the Father’s life flows out to all; through the Son it returns, in praise
and joyous service, a tide of love, to the great Source of all. And thus
through Christ the circuit of beneficence is complete, representing the
character of the great Giver, the law of life.
In heaven itself this law was broken. Sin originated in self-seeking.
Lucifer, the covering cherub, desired to be first in heaven. He sought to
gain control of heavenly beings, to draw them away from their Creator,
and to win their homage to himself. Therefore he misrepresented God,
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