Sunday
April 16
1. WHO IS HE?
a. In what setting and with what words did He who uttered the Ten Commandments introduce Himself? Exodus 20:1, 2.
“God desired to take His people apart from the world and prepare them to receive His word. From Egypt He led them to Mount Sinai, where He revealed to them His glory. Here was nothing to attract their senses or divert their minds from God; and as the vast multitude looked at the lofty mountains towering above them, they could realize their own nothingness in the sight of God. Beside these rocks, immovable except by the power of the divine will, God communicated with men.”-Testimonies, vol. 6, pp. 9, 10.
b. Although we may have never set foot in geographical Egypt-neither in the desert of Sinai-how can we nonetheless relate to this in our own experience? Isaiah 44:24; 1 Peter 2:9.
“As the children of Israel celebrated the deliverance that God wrought for their fathers, and His miraculous preservation of them during their journeyings from Egypt to the Promised Land, so should the people of God at the present time gratefully call to mind the various ways He has devised to bring them out from the world, out from the darkness of error, into the precious light of truth. . . . We should gratefully regard the old waymarks, and refresh our souls with memories of the loving-kindness of our gracious Benefactor.”-The Review and Herald, November 17, 1885.
Monday
April 17
2. WHAT ARE HIS CREDENTIALS?
a. Why should we be totally awestruck by the power of our Creator? Psalm 33:6, 8, 9; Isaiah 44:24.
b. What is needed in order to fathom the impact of this reality? Hebrews 11:3.
“Everywhere we see the perfect works of the great Master Artist. The heavens declare His glory, and the earth, which is formed for the happiness of man, speaks to us of His matchless love. Its surface is not a monotonous plain, but grand old mountains rise to diversify the landscape. There are sparkling streams and fertile valleys, beautiful lakes, broad rivers, and the boundless ocean.”-Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 312.
c. Beyond the initial creation of this earth as found in Genesis chapter 1, what deeper understanding should we have of God’s continual power? Psalms 19:1-3; 147:6-8.
“The same creative energy that brought the world into existence is still exerted in upholding the universe and continuing the operations of nature. The hand of God guides the planets in their orderly march through the heavens. It is not because of inherent power that year by year the earth continues her motion round the sun and produces her bounties. The word of God controls the elements. He covers the heavens with clouds and prepares rain for the earth. He makes the valley fruitful, and ‘grass to grow upon the mountains’ (Psalm 147:8). It is through His power that vegetation flourishes; that the leaves appear, and the flowers bloom.”-Special Testimonies on Education, pp. 58, 59.
“God sends the dew and the rain to refresh the thirsty earth. The breezes, that promote health by purifying and cooling the atmosphere, are controlled by His wisdom. He has placed the sun in the heavens to mark the periods of day and night, and by its genial beams give light and warmth to the earth, causing vegetation to flourish.”-Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 312.
Tuesday
April 18
3. A RIGHTFUL AUTHORITY
a. What questions from the Creator’s lips echo down the centuries to each one of us? Job 38:3-7, 22, 23, 31, 32. In response, what must we inevitably acknowledge?
“God is supreme. It is not for finite man to question His right to govern the universe. God asserted His right to rule when He declared, ‘Thou shalt have no other gods before Me;’ ‘for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is’ (Exodus 20:3, 11). He is the Creator and the Preserver of the worlds. He upholds the universe by the word of His power. Nature and science bear witness that He has a right to govern His own creation. Angels are subject to His rule; therefore let man bow in adoration before Him.”-The Signs of the Times, June 5, 1901.
b. Why is this humbling realization not to our loss but, in fact, to our gain? Luke 14:11; Psalm 113:5, 6.
“If we will but listen, God’s created works will teach us precious lessons of obedience and trust. From the stars that in their trackless courses through space follow from age to age their appointed path, down to the minutest atom, the things of nature obey the Creator’s will. And God cares for everything and sustains everything that He has created. He who upholds the unnumbered worlds throughout immensity, at the same time cares for the wants of the little brown sparrow that sings its humble song without fear.”-Steps to Christ, pp. 85, 86.
“God’s created works testify to His love and power. He has called the world into being, with all that it contains. God is a lover of the beautiful; and in the world which He has fitted up for us He has not only given us everything necessary for our comfort, but He has filled the heavens and the earth with beauty. We see His love and care in the rich fields of autumn, and His smile in the glad sunshine. His hand has made the castle-like rocks and the towering mountains. The lofty trees grow at His command; He has spread earth’s green velvet carpet, and dotted it with shrubs and flowers. Why has He clothed the earth and trees with living green, instead of with dark, somber brown? Is it not that they may be more pleasing to the eye? And shall not our hearts be filled with gratitude as we read the evidences of His wisdom and love in the wonders of His creation?”-Special Testimonies on Education, p. 58.
Wednesday
April 19
4. SPOKEN BY A SAVIOUR
a. What points should we ever keep in mind about the One who penned the Ten Commandments for us? Colossians 1:12-17.
“The hand that sustains the worlds in space, the hand that holds in their orderly arrangement and tireless activity all things throughout the universe of God, is the hand that was nailed to the cross for us.”-Education, p. 132.
“It was Christ who had said, ‘Ye shall do my statutes, and keep my judgments’ (Leviticus 25:18). Christ had presented the same principles on the mount of Beatitudes as He had on Mount Sinai. He had said that on the principles of love to God and to our neighbor hung all the law and the prophets.”-The Signs of the Times, June 11, 1896.
b. Why have we plenty of reason to appreciate God’s dealing with us? Job 36:5-11.
“While our kind heavenly Father has given us so many things to promote our happiness, He has given us also blessings in disguise. He understands the necessities of fallen man; and while He has given us advantages on the one hand, on the other there are inconveniences which are designed to stimulate us to use the ability He has given us. These develop patient industry, perseverance, and courage. . . .
“[Man] is not left to battle with temptations and trials in his own strength. Help has been laid upon One who is mighty. Jesus left the royal courts of heaven and suffered and died in a world degraded by sin, that He might teach man how to pass through the trials of life and overcome its temptations. Here is a pattern for us.”-Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 312.
c. What should we keep in mind as we consider each of the Ten Commandments individually? John 1:1-4, 12, 13; Psalm 19:8-11.
“The ten commandments, Thou shalt, and, Thou shalt not, are ten promises secured to us if we render obedience to the law governing the universe.”-The Review and Herald, October 26, 1897.
“Every ‘Thou shalt not,’ whether in physical or in moral law, implies a promise. If we obey it, blessing will attend our steps. God never forces us to do right, but He seeks to save us from the evil and lead us to the good.”-The Ministry of Healing, p. 114.
Thursday
April 20
5. A PROMISE
a. Why does Christ seek so earnestly to draw us away from the illusive pleasures of this world? 1 John 2:15-17; John 6:63.
“Anything which tends to absorb the mind and divert it from God assumes the form of an idol. The true and living God is crowded out of the thoughts and heart, and the soul-temple is defiled by the worship of other gods before the Lord. ‘Thou shalt have no other gods before Me,’ says the commandment (Exodus 20:3). Let us search the heart, compare the life and character with the statutes and precepts of Jehovah, and then seek diligently to correct our errors.”-Testimonies, vol. 4, p. 632.
b. As we clearly discern and respond wholeheartedly to God’s love, what is His promise? Exodus 20:3; Deuteronomy 28:1.
“In the last days of this earth’s history the voice that spoke from Sinai is still declaring, ‘Thou shalt have no other gods before Me’ (Exodus 20:3). Man has set his will against the will of God, but he cannot silence the word of command. The human mind cannot evade its obligation to a higher power. Theories and speculations may abound; men may try to set science in opposition to revelation, and thus do away with God’s law; but stronger and still stronger comes the command, ‘Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve’ (Matthew 4:10).”-Prophets and Kings, pp. 624, 625.
Friday
April 21
PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. Why is Jehovah alone entitled to my worship?
2. How does He continually reveal His love to me in nature?
3. How does He continually reveal His love to me through His providences?
4. How does He continually reveal His love to me through the everlasting gospel?
5. In fact, why do I exert the greatest freedom by enthroning Him as Lord over my life?