Daily Lesson for Friday 14th of March 2025
Read Ellen G. White, “The Reward of Earnest Effort,” Pages 285–288, in Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9,
Image © Stan Myers from GoodSalt.com
“All that has perplexed us in the providences of God will in the world to come be made plain. The things hard to be understood will then find explanation. The mysteries of grace will unfold before us. Where our finite minds discovered only confusion and broken promises, we shall see the most perfect and beautiful harmony. We shall know that infinite love ordered the experiences that seemed most trying. As we realize the tender care of Him who makes all things work together for our good, we shall rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.”—Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9, p. 286.
Discussion Questions
- Have you been perplexed in trying to understand the providences of God? How does it comfort you to know that all such things will be made plain in the end?
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Ponder what Christ gave up in order to become human and to die for this world. Further reflect on what this tells us about God’s love and whether God can be trusted. What more could He do?
- What is so important about God’s “name”? What implications does this have for those of us who call ourselves Christian? In what ways have Christians sometimes brought disrepute on the name of Christ, and what can we do in our local communities to show people what following Christ looks like in practice?
- In the end, even our best “answers” relative to the problem of evil are incomplete for now. What can we do in practice to draw close to those who are suffering and be agents of relieving suffering in this world as we await the final, eschatological solution to the problem of evil that only God can bring?
- Dwell more on Isaiah 53:4, on the fact that Christ bore our “griefs” and “sorrows.” What happened corporately at the Cross that helps us understand the plan of salvation and what it cost God to save us?
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Yesterday I went birding, My companion was an old quietly spoken retired minister who has lost his Adventism. We sat near the water's edge on a beautiful calm morning. We discussed the love of God. He said to me. "Maurice, I am an old man. When I go to church people want me to engage with them in the conflict doctrines, but it is too complicated. I don't want to argue about doctrine and the interpretation of history. I rest in the knowledge that God loves us, and he died for us. He has a plan to save us."
And so we sat quietly together, enjoying one another's company, counting the blessings of God, while all around us there is a cosmic conflict.
... and then the Eagle flew!
My friend has a point. We need to find peace in this conflict. If we concentrate on the conflict, we run the risk of missing the peace. Yesterday we were in birding heaven for just a few moments.
If we lose our Adventism and discover the infinite love of God, we have gained. I'm with your friend.
I too have left behind my Adventism, with its convoluted ideas and rest in the love of God.
What more could I have done pertains to the interaction of Christ with Pilate, and sad to say with the chosen who failed Him before He became incarnate(understanding that before Christ was born of Mary He had the ability of being a Spirit and a bodily figure, of which He took back that ability after He rose from His grave in 3 days)(did not The Lord of the Old Tetiment apear ,not just an illusion, yet SomeOne who Abraham could have stuck his finger in His side and tickle His liver?), Virgin Mary conceived by the Holy Spirit.
So lets put it on us, what more can we do, in the service of the One who died for our sins, with the permision of our heavenly Father? Quite a solomn thouught and question. Right? I believe so.
1 John 4:9.
1 John 5:10.
At the end of this week, may we recognize God as this loving Father Who does everything possible for our good but respects our free will. By His love, may we understand He has the best for us.
To draw close to those suffering and be agents of relief, we can show empathy, offer practical help, pray, support charitable causes, advocate for justice, foster loving communities, and encourage hope in God's promises. Specifically:
• Show Empathy and Compassion: We may not always have the answers, but we can be present for those in distress. Listening, being available, and showing empathy can provide comfort and support.
• Pray for and with Others: Prayer is a powerful way to intercede on behalf of those suffering. Praying with those in pain, or even privately, brings their needs before God and shows that we care deeply for their well-being.
• Be Agents of Justice and Peace: Actively seeking to confront systems of injustice, oppression, and suffering aligns with God's call to care for the vulnerable. Stand up for what is right, advocating for those who cannot speak for themselves.
• Foster a Community of Love: Churches and communities can be places of refuge and support. Building strong communities rooted in love and service provides comfort for those who are hurting.
• Encourage Hope in God’s Promises: While we wait for the ultimate resolution to evil in God's plan, we can encourage those suffering to hold onto the hope that God's justice and healing will come. Sharing Scripture and reminding others of God's faithfulness can bring comfort.
In these ways, we become a living testament to God's love, offering hope and care to those suffering as we await His final victory over evil.
Yes, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, endured the cross — but why? There must be a greater purpose behind His incredible sacrifice on behalf of humanity. What is that purpose? Isaiah 43 can help reveal the answer: that mankind may receive Life and, with this Life honor, praise, and glorify its Creator.
We need to be careful not to 'dismiss' heaven’s war against evil to be merely an all too familiar ‘great controversy’, as we are personally effected by its intensity and immense cost every day. All in heaven and earth are engaged in this battle to uphold God’s Way of Life — HIS Glory.
God's great fervor in this war is not just to vindicate Himself, but for the protection and preservation of those called by His Name, and for the benefit of all creation. He fights to manifest and secure His divine Design for Life, ensuring it endures for all eternity.
To assure the unassailability of His Way of Life, God is even willing to create a new heaven and a new earth for His children to dwell in. Such is the depth of His Love, care, and patience of our heavenly Father who is willing to go to extraordinary lengths to demonstrate His Love for us - Isaiah 43:1, 10.
The spiritual war for supremacy is ongoing and we do well to regard God's answer to Salomon's prayer as His Truth for us today:
2 Chronicles 7:14
”If my people, who are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
This theme, “What More Could I Have Done”, is relevant to today only if one believes that God loves everyone equally and alike, and died for everyone equally and alike, and therefor expects or desires everyone without exception to believe in Him (1 Pt 2:24,25). Of course most do not believe and become lost in hell and so God has cause to now say: “What more could I have done…”.
Israel as a nation, Abraham’s children according to the flesh, was the vine delivered from Egyptian slavery and planted in the earthly promised land, as a type of the true, under the Sinai covenant, the Old Covenant.
Christ is the true vine (Jn 15:1) under the New Covenant, planted in the heavenly with His branches being His body, the Church against which the gates of hell cannot prevail and of which no one will be missing (Jer 23:4-6; Matt 1:21; 18:12-14; Jn 6:37-40,44-47; 10:14-17,26-30; 17:2,6,9,10,24; Rom 9:6-9; Gal 3:29; 1 Cor 15:20-23; 2 Tim 2:19; 2 Pt 1:1; 3:9).
I don’t see cause today for God to repeat this theme: “What more could I have done…”