Friday: Further Thought – ‘In the Psalms: Part 2’
Daily Lesson for Friday 30th of May 2025
Further Thought: Read Psalms 133:1-3, Acts 1:4-9, and Revelation 5:4-7.
Image © Stan Myers from GoodSalt.com
“During the patriarchal age the influence of the Holy Spirit had often been revealed in a marked manner, but never in its fullness. Now, in obedience to the word of the Saviour, the disciples offered their supplications for this gift, and in heaven Christ added His intercession. He claimed the gift of the Spirit, that He might pour it upon His people.”—Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles, p. 37.
The disciples were instructed to bear witness to Christ “ ‘to the end of the earth’ ” (Acts 1:8, NKJV), a work that would herald the return of Christ (Matthew 24:14). We are to continue what they started.
When Christ told us to carry the gospel to the world, He did not leave us alone to figure out how it might happen. The work is directed from heaven’s sanctuary. Our work is intimately wrapped up in Christ: He guides and empowers us. This is His work, not ours: we are asked to follow His lead. You will notice this is how it worked with Israel: God asked them to follow His instructions, and then He made the impossible happen. The Spirit is already at work in the hearts of our neighbors; we are asked to be there when the moment of decision arrives so that we can invite them to join God’s people as they stand with the Lamb on Zion. We do not have to invent new means and methods because we have never been in charge of the work.
Discussion Questions
|
(4)
I have to admit that I have found the "In the Psalms" bit rather elusive this week. Maybe it is just me, but I am not really sure in today's lesson what the link between Ps 133 and the rest of today's lesson is.
Here is the Psalm:
It is only a little Psalm and it talks about unity. It uses two allusions:
Unity is a precious commodity, and in today's society has been ambushed by competitiveness. We see it in sport, business, politics and, unfortunately, churches. We are encouraged to think in terms of winners and losers and often in this mele we lose sight of the value and importance of unity.
But why the symbolism of annointing oil and dew?
I have no idea what annointing oil smelled like but I am sure that it would have been a perfume that was pleasant. Most of us are aware that perfumes can have a subtle influence on our emotions. Some of us even make an effort to smell "nice" in company. A good perfume provides an atmosphere of enjoyment.
Dew is refreshing. I am often out early in the morning photographing birds, and I love to watch the Peewees feeding when the grass is sparkling like diamonds in the early morning sun.
Both these poetic metaphors have a sense of well-being about them and reinforce the idea that unity is good for us. It is also a reminder that being in Christ is not just a one-to-one relationship with him but a many-to-many relationship with one another. I have said it so many times:
... it almost sounds like a mantra. But if we don't get this bit right, our effort to spread the Gospel is going nowhere.
Wow! How appealing! Are you also listening to the call? Are you also sensitive to God's voice?
How will I respond to the invitation to participate in God's plan for His people?
Please, Lord, have mercy and guide us to all truth, making us do the work you separate for each of us!
"We do not have to invent new means and methods because we have never been in charge of the work."
I do believe the precious oil was found poured over the people at Pentecost, and Jonah, and many others, even us as we ask for it.
Acts 2:1-2 The Coming of the Holy Spirit.
"When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting."
When this happened. Marvelous things took place.
Acts tells of it, yet an illumination I like is in the book Christ Object Lessons page 118 paragraph 3 to 121 paragraph 1. Here is just a portion of the illumination of the Bible given to Ellen White who penned it for us and for all, pushing us into deeper study of the Bible, giving us the incentive for spending more time with the Bible. Yes, indeed the Sabbath School lessons are designed for that purpose also, in my opinion.
"On the day of Pentecost, the Spirit was given. Christ's witnesses proclaimed the power of the risen Saviour. The light of heaven penetrated the darkened minds of those who had been deceived by the enemies of Christ. They now saw Him exalted to be "a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins." Acts 5:31. They saw Him encircled with the glory of heaven, with infinite treasures in His hands to bestow upon all who would turn from their rebellion."
"These scenes are to be repeated, and with greater power. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost was the former rain, but the latter rain will be more abundant."
Now, in Revelation chapter 5 and 6 it seems to me that the work we do in the last days of history is directed from heavens sanctuary. God is there to give us help in the form of direction, power and,
He even goes before us to prepare people, as it was with Jonah and the believers at Pentecost and many other examples.
Psalms 48:14.
2 Timothy 1:7-8
Philippians 2:13.
Happy Sabbath, starting in the hours to come at sundown this evening.
The power that birthed the early church at Pentecost is still available. The Lamb who opened the scroll is still leading. And the Spirit who descended in Acts 2 is still whispering to hearts today. Our duty is not to panic, but to pray, unite, and proclaim—confident that He who began this work will finish it (Philippians 1:6).
Let us take courage: “Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit,” says the Lord of hosts (Zechariah 4:6).
In response to the following excerpt from the lesson: "The Spirit is already at work in the hearts of our neighbors; we are asked to be there when the moment of decision arrives, so that we can invite them to join God’s people as they stand with the Lamb on Zion. We do not have to invent new means and methods, because we have never been in charge of the work." I would say:
While the Adventist message must remain unchanged, our methods of sharing it should adapt to people’s needs, culture, and context.
Jesus met people where they were—physically and spiritually. He healed, listened, and built trust before inviting them to follow Him (Ministry of Healing, p. 143). We’re called to do the same.
Ellen White encouraged using new methods suited to the times (Evangelism, p. 70). This doesn’t mean altering truth, but presenting it in ways that resonate. Paul became "all things to all people" (1 Corinthians 9:22), showing that flexibility in approach is biblical.
Today, God can use media, small groups, health outreach, and personal relationships to open hearts. Listening and compassion go a long way in preparing people to receive truth.
In short: The message stays the same, but the method must meet the moment. Our work is to be faithful, relevant, and Spirit-led.
Reading Ellen G. White’s words, I’m struck by the implication that the gift of the Holy Spirit isn’t simply bestowed automatically — we must ask for it:
“Now, in obedience to the word of the Saviour, the disciples offered their supplications for this gift, and in heaven Christ added His intercession. He claimed the gift of the Spirit, that He might pour it upon His people.”
This raises a deeply personal question: Does the Holy Spirit come to us just because we choose to follow Jesus? Or must each of us, like the early disciples, humbly and earnestly seek this gift in prayer?
I fear many who come to Christ are not aware — or don’t take seriously — their need to ask for the Spirit’s power to live their new life in Him. We might too readily rely on God's Grace and Mercy to cover our shortcomings, without seeking His Spirit who empowers us to point out and overcome our weaknesses.
Perhaps this is why the presence of Christ and His Comforter has not taken deeper root in our world. We long for the Latter Rain, praying it will awaken hearts and bring unity with God in the Spirit of Christ. Though, maybe that outpouring needs to begin with our own simple, sincere prayer:
“Lord, fill me with Your Spirit. Teach me to walk in Your Way” – Psalm 25:4-5; Psalm 86:11; Psalm 143:10; Gal.5:16.