Skip to main content

Christ Triumphant: In Adversity the Character Is Revealed, May 21

And David said unto all his servants that were with him at Jerusalem, Arise, and let us flee; for we shall not else escape from Absalom. 2 Samuel 15:14.


David was never more worthy of admiration than in his hour of adversity. Never was this cedar of God truly greater than when wrestling with the storm and tempest.... With spirits broken and in tearful emotion, but without one expression of repining, he turns his back upon the scenes of his glory and also of his crime, and pursues his flight for his life.
Shimei comes forth as David passes and, with a storm of curses, hurls against him invectives, throwing stones and dirt. Said one of David's faithful men, “Let me go over, I pray thee, and take off his head.” David in his sorrow and humility says, “Let him curse, because the Lord hath said unto him, Curse David.” ...
When the march of the procession is arrested by Zadok and Abiathar with the Levites who come bearing the ark of God, the symbol of God's presence, David for a moment sees the star of hope amid the clouds, for with this precious token with him, he may greatly improve his situation....
But how unselfish, how noble, is the man David! In his overwhelming affliction, David's resolution is taken. He, like the tall cedar of Lebanon, looks toward heaven. The royal command is “Carry back the ark of God into the city.” ... His reverence and respect for the ark of God would not allow him to consent that it should be imperiled by his vicissitudes in his hasty flight....
To rob the city of that symbol that gives it the name of the “Mount of Holiness,” he could not consent. Had he possessed selfish motives and a high opinion of himself, he would gladly have gathered everything that would build up his sinking fortunes and give him power to secure his safety. But he sends back to its place the sacred chest and will make no advancement until he sees the priests returning with the hallowed burden, to place it in the tabernacle of Zion....
The voice of conscience, more terrible than Shimei, was bringing his sins to his mind. Uriah was continually before his eyes. His great crime was the sin of adultery.... Although he did not with his own hand kill Uriah, he knew that the guilt of his death rested upon him....
He recalled how ofttimes God had worked for him, and thought, “If He accepts my repentance, He may yet give me His favor and turn my mourning to joy.... On the other hand, if He has no delight in me, if He has forgotten me, if He will leave me to exile or to perish, I will not murmur. I deserve His judgments and will submit to it all.”—Letter 6, 1880.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

With God at Dawn: Angels Connect Us with Heaven, December 15

God's Throne and Angel Ministry T ake heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, that in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. Matthew 18:10. You Pharisees, said Christ, regard yourselves as the favorites of heaven. You think yourselves secure in your own righteousness. Know, then, that if you need no repentance, My mission is not to you. These poor souls who feel their poverty and sinfulness, are the very ones whom I have come to rescue. Angels of heaven are interested in these lost ones whom you despise. You complain and sneer when one of these souls joins himself to Me; but know that angels rejoice, and the song of triumph rings through the courts above.—Christ's Object Lessons, 189. Angels are watching with intense interest to see how man is dealing with his fellow-men. When they see one manifest Christlike sympathy for the erring, they press to his side, and bring to his remembrance words to speak that wi...

MAKNA TUJUAN & SEMBOYAN PA, PERJANJIAN & PERATURAN ADVENTURER & PATHFINDER

TUJUAN PEMUDA ADVENT “ Pekabaran Advent Ke Seluruh Dunia Dalam Zaman Ini “ Setiap kegiatan dalam lingkungan Pemuda Advent berfokus pada tujuan utama dari Departemen Pemuda Advent yaitu : Pekabaran Advent Keseluruh Dalam Zaman ini. Kegiatan Adventurer, Pathfinder maupun Master Guide adalah bagian dari Departemen Pemuda Advent. Seorang Adventure, Pathfinder & Seorang Master Guide adalah seorang yang pembawa misi pekabaran Advent. SEMBOYAN PEMUDA ADVENT “ Karena Kasih Kristus Mengajak Kita “ Untuk menjalankan misi pekabaran Advent, seorang pemuda Advent, seorang Adventurer, seorang Pathfinder dan seorang Master Guide menjalankan misi berdasarkan kasih Kasih Kristus yang menjamahnya. Dan dituntun oleh kuasa Roh Kudus sehingga memiliki kehidupan yang rendah hati dan penuh penyerahan diri dalam menunjang semua kegiatan gereja khususnya dalam bidang pelayanan dan keselamatan orang muda JANJI PEMUDA ADVENT "Karena kasih kepada Tuhan Yesus, ...

With God at Dawn: God Desires a Contrite Heart, September 7

 Consecration Requires Decisions T he sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. Psalm 51:17. The path to Heaven is no smoother now than in the days of our Saviour. All our sins must be put away. Every darling indulgence that hinders our religious life must be cut off. The right eye or the right hand must be sacrificed, if it cause us to offend.... Are we willing to part with self-righteousness? Are we willing to give up our chosen worldly associates? ... Every association we form, however limited, exerts some influence upon us. The extent to which we yield to that influence will be determined by the degree of intimacy, the constancy of the intercourse, and our love and veneration for the one with whom we associate. Thus by acquaintance and association with Christ, we may become like Him, the one faultless example.—Testimonies for the Church 5:222. No outward forms can make us clean; no ordinance, administered by the saintlie...