Sunday
August 7
1. HUMAN GLORY
a. What should we realize about the futility of human glory? Jeremiah 9:23.
“God is the source of all wisdom. He is infinitely wise and just and good. Apart from Christ, the wisest men that ever lived cannot comprehend Him. They may profess to be wise; they may glory in their attainments; but mere intellectual knowledge, aside from the great truths that center in Christ, is as nothingness.”–Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, p. 66.
“It was a very intellectual being, one who occupied a high position among the angelic throng, that finally became a rebel; and many a mind of superior intellectual attainments is now being led captive by his power.”–Testimonies, vol. 4, p. 422.
b. What is written about loving worldly riches? 1 Timothy 6:9, 10. Give one example. Matthew 26:14–16.
“Worldly policy plans were constantly cherished by Judas. There was no outbreaking sin on his part, but his sharp scheming, the selfish, parsimonious spirit that took possession of him, finally led him to sell his Lord for a small sum of money.”–The SDA Bible Commentary [E. G. White Comments], vol. 5, p. 1101.
Monday
August 8
2. TWO KINDS OF WISDOM
a. What is worldly wisdom in the sight of God? 1 Corinthians 1:19–21. What miracle will yet be seen even in some who have been blinded by worldly wisdom?
“Many of the greatest scholars and statesmen, the world’s most eminent men, will in these last days turn from the light because the world by wisdom knows not God. Yet God’s servants are to improve every opportunity to communicate the truth to these men. Some will acknowledge their ignorance of the things of God and will take their place as humble learners at the feet of Jesus, the Master Teacher.”–The Acts of the Apostles, pp. 241, 242.
b. Rather than becoming spiritually dwarfed by the temporal scope of worldly knowledge, how are we to make the most of our intellectual endowments? 2 Timothy 2:15.
“Ignorance will not increase the humility or spirituality of any professed follower of Christ. The truths of the divine word can be best appreciated by an intellectual Christian. Christ can be best glorified by those who serve Him intelligently. The great object of education is to enable us to use the powers which God has given us in such a manner as will best represent the religion of the Bible and promote the glory of God.
“We are indebted to Him who gave us existence, for all the talents which have been entrusted to us; and it is a duty we owe to our Creator to cultivate and improve upon the talents He has committed to our trust. Education will discipline the mind, develop its powers, and understandingly direct them, that we may be useful in advancing the glory of God.”–Testimonies, vol. 3, p. 160.
“Whatever may be your calling, it is essential that you improve your abilities by diligent study. Young men and women should be urged to appreciate the heaven-sent blessings of opportunities to become well disciplined and intelligent. They should take advantage of the schools that have been established for the purpose of imparting the best of knowledge. It is sinful to be indolent and negligent in regard to obtaining an education. Time is short, and therefore because the Lord is soon to come to close the scenes of earth’s history, there is all the greater necessity of improving present opportunities and privileges.”–Fundamentals of Christian Education, p. 216.
Tuesday
August 9
3. DIVINE WISDOM
a. Where is true wisdom to be found? 1 Corinthians 1:23, 24, 30.
b. In what kind of knowledge should God’s children glory? 1 Corinthians 1:31; Jeremiah 9:24.
“If sinners can be led to give one earnest look at the cross, if they can obtain a full view of the crucified Saviour, they will realize the depth of God’s compassion and the sinfulness of sin.
“Christ’s death proves God’s great love for man. It is our pledge of salvation. To remove the cross from the Christian would be like blotting the sun from the sky. The cross brings us near to God, reconciling us to Him. With the relenting compassion of a father’s love, Jehovah looks upon the suffering that His Son endured in order to save the race from eternal death, and accepts us in the Beloved.
“Without the cross, man could have no union with the Father. On it depends our every hope. From it shines the light of the Saviour’s love, and when at the foot of the cross the sinner looks up to the One who died to save him, he may rejoice with fullness of joy, for his sins are pardoned. Kneeling in faith at the cross, he has reached the highest place to which man can attain.”–The Acts of the Apostles, pp. 209, 210.
c. What will be the result in our life if we partake of that in which the apostle Paul gloried? Galatians 6:14.
“Through the cross we learn that the heavenly Father loves us with a love that is infinite. Can we wonder that Paul exclaimed, ‘God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ’ (Galatians 6:14)? It is our privilege also to glory in the cross, our privilege to give ourselves wholly to Him who gave Himself for us. Then, with the light that streams from Calvary shining in our faces, we may go forth to reveal this light to those in darkness.”–The Acts of the Apostles, p. 210.
Wednesday
August 10
4. HUMAN POWER
a. What is the value of human power in God’s plan? Psalm 20: 7, 8.
“[Ephesians 6:12 (margin) quoted.] It is impossible for us in our own strength to maintain the conflict; and whatever diverts the mind from God, whatever leads to self-exaltation or to self-dependence, is surely preparing the way for our overthrow. The tenor of the Bible is to inculcate distrust of human power and to encourage trust in divine power.”–Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 717.
b. What warnings should we heed when considering, for example, the tragic episode in David’s life at a moment when he was trusting in his own strength? 2 Samuel 11:1–4; 1 Corinthians 10:12.
“David was surrounded by the fruits of victory and the honors of his wise and able rule. It was now, while he was at ease and unguarded, that the tempter seized the opportunity to occupy his mind. . . . When in ease and self-security he let go his hold upon God, David yielded to Satan and brought upon his soul the stain of guilt.”–Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 718.
“It was the spirit of self-confidence and self-exaltation that prepared the way for David’s fall. Flattery and the subtle allurements of power and luxury were not without effect upon him. . . . Instead of relying in humility upon the power of Jehovah, he began to trust to his own wisdom and might. As soon as Satan can separate the soul from God, the only Source of strength, he will seek to arouse the unholy desires of man’s carnal nature. The work of the enemy is not abrupt; it is not, at the outset, sudden and startling; it is a secret undermining of the strongholds of principle. It begins in apparently small things–the neglect to be true to God and to rely upon Him wholly, the disposition to follow the customs and practices of the world.”–Ibid., pp. 717, 718.
c. Describe an example of how divine power can readily outstrip human strength. Isaiah 36:18–20; 37:33–38.
“The God of the Hebrews had prevailed over the proud Assyrian [king]. . . . Their earnest entreaties for deliverance had been mingled with confession of sin and with many tears. In their great need they had trusted wholly in the power of God to save, and He had not failed them.”–Prophets and Kings, pp. 361, 362.
Thursday
August 11
5. GOD’S POWER
a. What is the only way by which God’s people should defend the truth? Zechariah 4:6, 7, 10.
“The very same difficulties which were created to hinder the restoration and upbuilding of the work of God, the great mountains of difficulty which loomed in Zerubbabel’s way, will be met by all who today are loyal to God and to His work. Many human inventions are used to carry out plans after the mind and will of men with whom God is not working. But it is not boastful words nor a multitude of ceremonies that show that the Lord is working with His people. The assumed power of the human agent does not decide this question. Those who place themselves in opposition to the Lord’s work may hinder for a time, but the same Spirit that has guided the Lord’s work all the way through will guide it today. [Zechariah 4:6 quoted.]. . .
“The Lord would have every soul strong in His strength. He would have us look to Him, receiving our directions from Him.”–The Review and Herald, May 16, 1899.
b. What promise should encourage us in these last days? Joel 2:28, 29.
“If this prophecy of Joel met a partial fulfillment in the days of the apostles, we are living in a time when it is to be even more evidently manifest to the people of God. He will so bestow His Spirit upon His people that they will become a light amid the moral darkness; and great light will be reflected in all parts of the world. O that our faith might be increased, that the Lord might work mightily with His people.”–The SDA Bible Commentary [E. G. White Comments], vol. 4, p. 1175.
Friday
August 12
PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. Explain why “reasons” for human glory are empty according to Jeremiah 9:23.
2. What is the basic difference between human wisdom and divine wisdom?
3. What role does the cross of Calvary play in our Christian life?
4. Relate the victories of God’s people over the Assyrians.