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The Desire of Ages
“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed
thereto according to Thy word.” “Thy word have I hid in mine heart,
that I might not sin against Thee.”
Psalm 119:9, 11
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Often He was asked, Why are you bent on being so singular, so
different from us all? It is written, He said, “Blessed are the undefiled
in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord. Blessed are they that keep
His testimonies, and that seek Him with the whole heart. They also do
no iniquity; they walk in His ways.”
Psalm 119:1-3
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When questioned why He did not join in the frolics of the youth
of Nazareth, He said, It is written, “I have rejoiced in the way of Thy
testimonies, as much as in all riches. I will meditate in Thy precepts,
and have respect unto Thy ways. I will delight myself in Thy statutes;
I will not forget Thy word.”
Psalm 119:14-16
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Jesus did not contend for His rights. Often His work was made
unnecessarily severe because He was willing and uncomplaining. Yet
He did not fail nor become discouraged. He lived above these difficul-
ties, as if in the light of God’s countenance. He did not retaliate when
roughly used, but bore insult patiently.
Again and again He was asked, Why do You submit to such de-
spiteful usage, even from Your brothers? It is written, He said, “My
son, forget not My law; but let thine heart keep My commandments:
for length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.
Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write
them upon the table of thine heart: so shalt thou find favor and good
understanding in the sight of God and man.”
Proverbs 3:1-4
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From the time when the parents of Jesus found Him in the temple,
His course of action was a mystery to them. He would not enter into
controversy, yet His example was a constant lesson. He seemed as
one who was set apart. His hours of happiness were found when alone
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with nature and with God. Whenever it was His privilege, He turned
aside from the scene of His labor, to go into the fields, to meditate in
the green valleys, to hold communion with God on the mountainside
or amid the trees of the forest. The early morning often found Him
in some secluded place, meditating, searching the Scriptures, or in
prayer. From these quiet hours He would return to His home to take
up His duties again, and to give an example of patient toil.
The life of Christ was marked with respect and love for His mother.
Mary believed in her heart that the holy child born of her was the long-