Meeting Sabbathkeeping Problems
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world, to represent Him and His power to mankind.—
Manuscript 37,
1894
.
Time to Rely on God’s Word—In the wilderness, when all means
of sustenance failed, God sent His people manna from heaven; and a
sufficient and constant supply was given. This provision was to teach
them that while they trusted in God, and walked in His ways, He would
not forsake them. The Saviour now practiced the lesson He had taught
to Israel. By the word of God, succor had been given to the Hebrew
host, and by the same word it would be given to Jesus. He awaited
God’s time to bring relief. He was in the wilderness in obedience to
God, and He would not obtain food by following the suggestions of
Satan. In the presence of the witnessing universe, He testified that it
is a less calamity to suffer whatever may befall, than to depart in any
manner from the will of God.
“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.”
Often the follower of Christ is brought where he cannot serve God
and carry forward his worldly enterprises. Perhaps it appears that
obedience to some plain requirement of God will cut off his means
of support. Satan would make him believe that he must sacrifice his
conscientious convictions. But the only thing in our world upon which
we can rely, is the Word of God. “Seek ye first the kingdom of God,
and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
Even in this life it is not for our good to depart from the will of our
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Father in heaven. When we learn the power of His word, we shall
not follow the suggestions of Satan in order to obtain food or to save
our lives. Our only questions will be, What is God’s command? and
what His promise? Knowing these, we shall obey the one, and trust
the other.—
The Desire of Ages, 121
(1898).
An Appeal to One in the Valley of Decision—The enemy was
telling you to wait for a more convenient season. He has been on
hand with his devices presenting to you the advantages you would
gain if you did not keep the Sabbath, and the disadvantages you would
realize in keeping the Sabbath. He has prepared these various excuses
why you should not make your decision to be obedient to the law of
God. He is a deceiver. He falsifies the character of God, and you have
accepted his temptation. All your imaginings have shown distrust of
your heavenly Father.