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BY
ROLLY DUMAGUIT—writing from Belize
people preoccupied with their religious duties, consecrated, ardent,
enthusiastic, and practicing their faith with vigor—these are
the ones upon whom the Lord will bestow His supreme regard, utilizing
them to finish His work. Tracing down the long line of history, we
can see that "in every period of this earth's history, God has had
His men of opportunity, to whom He has said, 'Ye are My witnesses.'
In every age there have been devout men, who gathered up the rays
of light as they flashed upon their pathway, and who spoke to the
people the words of God. Enoch, Noah, Moses, Daniel, and the long
roll of patriarchs and prophets—these were ministers of righteousness.
They were not infallible; they were weak, erring men; but the Lord
wrought through them as they gave themselves to His service."1
In certain
cases, these faithful ones communicated God's final warning to a people,
a nation, or to the world doomed to destruction. To proclaim such
messages often meant hardship, derision, and even death. With prayers,
fasting, and often reluctance, the servants of God went forth, courageously
discharging their duties.
The
devotional life of Enoch
"Of Enoch
it is written that he lived sixty-five years, and begat a son. After
that he walked with God three hundred years. . . . But after the birth
of his first son, Enoch reached a higher experience; he was drawn
into a closer relationship with God. He realized more fully his own
obligations and responsibility as a son of God. And as he saw the
child's love for its father, its simple trust in his protection; as
he felt the deep, yearning tenderness of his own heart for that firstborn
son, he learned a precious lesson of the wonderful love of God to
men in the gift of His Son, and the confidence which the children
of God may repose in their heavenly Father. The infinite, unfathomable
love of God through Christ became the subject of his meditations day
and night; and with all the fervor of his soul he sought to reveal
that love to the people among whom he dwelt. . . .
"Enoch
was a man of strong and highly cultivated mind and extensive knowledge;
he was honored with special revelations from God; yet being in constant
communion with Heaven, with a sense of the divine greatness and perfection
ever before him, he was one of the humblest of men. The closer the
connection with God, the deeper was the sense of his own weakness
and imperfection.
"Distressed
by the increasing wickedness of the ungodly, and fearing that their
infidelity might lessen his reverence for God, Enoch avoided constant
association with them, and spent much time in solitude, giving himself
to meditation and prayer. Thus he waited before the Lord, seeking
a clearer knowledge of His will, that he might perform it. To him
prayer was as the breath of the soul; he lived in the very atmosphere
of heaven. . . .
"In the
midst of a life of active labor, Enoch steadfastly maintained his
communion with God. The greater and more pressing his labors, the
more constant and earnest were his prayers. He continued to exclude
himself, at certain periods, from all society. After remaining for
a time among the people, laboring to benefit them by instruction and
example, he would withdraw, to spend a season in solitude, hungering
and thirsting for that divine knowledge which God alone can impart.
Communing thus with God, Enoch came more and more to reflect the divine
image. His face was radiant with a holy light, even the light that
shineth in the face of Jesus. As he came forth from these divine communings,
even the ungodly beheld with awe the impress of heaven upon his countenance."2
The
devotional life of Abraham
"Of Abraham
it is written that 'he was called the friend of God,' 'the father
of all them that believe' (James 2:23; Romans 4:11). The testimony
of God concerning this faithful patriarch is, 'Abraham obeyed My voice,
and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws.' And
again, 'I know him, that he will command his children and his household
after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice
and judgment; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath
spoken of him' (Genesis 26:5; 18:19). It was a high honor to which
Abraham was called, that of being the father of the people who for
centuries were the guardians and preservers of the truth of God for
the world—of that people through whom all the nations of the
earth should be blessed in the advent of the promised Messiah. But
He who called the patriarch judged him worthy. It is God that speaks.
He who understands the thoughts afar off, and places the right estimate
upon men, says, 'I know him.' There would be on the part of Abraham
no betraying of the truth for selfish purposes. He would keep the
law and deal justly and righteously. And he would not only fear the
Lord himself, but would cultivate religion in his home. He would instruct
his family in righteousness. The law of God would be the rule in his
household."3
"Abraham,
'the friend of God,' set us a worthy example. His was a life of prayer.
Wherever he pitched his tent, close beside it was set up his altar,
calling all within his encampment to the morning and evening sacrifice.
When his tent was removed, the altar remained. In following years,
there were those among the roving Canaanites who received instruction
from Abraham; and whenever one of these came to that altar, he knew
who had been there before him; and when he had pitched his tent, he
repaired the altar, and there worshiped the living God."4
Abraham's
life was filled with faith, action, and prayer. Before any undertaking
he would first see to it that God's providence would be consulted.
Tracing his travels from Mesopotamia to Canaan, to Egypt and throughout
his sojourns in the wilderness, Abraham traveled without chart, compass,
or maps. His lone guide was the voice of God. Note his courage and
valor in rescuing the dwellers of Sodom. See him talking with God
as a friend and receiving the promise that he would be a father of
a great nation. Feel his anguish when called to slay his beloved son
as an offering. Then you will know that his success both in material
and spiritual things was due to his fidelity and devotion to God.
The
devotional life of Moses
"Younger
than Joseph or Daniel was Moses when removed from the sheltering care
of his childhood home; yet already the same agencies that shaped their
lives had molded his. Only twelve years did he spend with his Hebrew
kindred; but during these years was laid the foundation of his greatness;
it was laid by the hand of one little known to fame. . . .
"From
the humble home in Goshen the son of Jochebed passed to the palace
of the Pharaohs, to the Egyptian princess, by her to be welcomed as
a loved and cherished son. In the schools of Egypt, Moses received
the highest civil and military training. Of great personal attractions,
noble in form and stature, of cultivated mind and princely bearing,
and renowned as a military leader, he became the nation's pride. The
king of Egypt was also a member of the priesthood; and Moses, though
refusing to participate in the heathen worship, was initiated into
all the mysteries of the Egyptian religion. Egypt at this time being
still the most powerful and most highly civilized of nations, Moses,
as its prospective sovereign, was heir to the highest honors this
world could bestow. But his was a nobler choice. For the honor of
God and the deliverance of His downtrodden people, Moses sacrificed
the honors of Egypt. Then, in a special sense, God undertook his training.
"Not yet
was Moses prepared for his lifework. He had yet to learn the lesson
of dependence upon divine power. He had mistaken God's purpose. It
was his hope to deliver Israel by force of arms. For this he risked
all, and failed. In defeat and disappointment he became a fugitive
and exile in a strange land.
"In the
wilds of Midian, Moses spent forty years as a keeper of sheep. Apparently
cut off forever from his life's mission, he was receiving the discipline
essential for its fulfillment. Wisdom to govern an ignorant and undisciplined
multitude must be gained through self-mastery. In the care of the
sheep and the tender lambs he must obtain the experience that would
make him a faithful, long-suffering shepherd to Israel. That he might
become a representative of God, he must learn of Him.
"The influences
that had surrounded him in Egypt, the affection of his foster mother,
his own position as the grandson of the king, the luxury and vice
that allured in ten thousand forms, the refinement, the subtlety,
and the mysticism of a false religion, had made an impression on his
mind and character. In the stern simplicity of the wilderness all
this disappeared.
"Amidst
the solemn majesty of the mountain solitudes Moses was alone with
God. Everywhere the Creator's name was written. Moses seemed to stand
in His presence and to be overshadowed by His power. Here his self-
sufficiency was swept away. In the presence of the Infinite One he
realized how weak, how inefficient, how short-sighted, is man.
"Here
Moses gained that which went with him throughout the years of his
toilsome and care-burdened life—a sense of the personal presence
of the Divine One. Not merely did he look down the ages for Christ
to be made manifest in the flesh; he saw Christ accompanying the host
of Israel in all their travels. When misunderstood and misrepresented,
when called to bear reproach and insult, to face danger and death,
he was able to endure 'as seeing Him who is invisible' (Hebrews 11:27).
"Moses
did not merely think of God, he saw Him. God was the constant vision
before him. Never did he lose sight of His face. . . .
"The results
of that training, of the lessons there taught, are bound up, not only
with the history of Israel, but with all which from that day to this
has told for the world's progress. The highest testimony to the greatness
of Moses, the judgment passed upon his life by Inspiration, is, 'There
arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the Lord
knew face to face' (Deuteronomy 34:10)."5
The
devotional life of the apostles
"And [the
new believers], continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and
breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness
and singleness of heart, praising God, and having favour with all
the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should
be saved" (Acts 2:46, 47).
"The disciples
prayed with intense earnestness for a fitness to meet men and in their
daily intercourse to speak words that would lead sinners to Christ.
Putting away all differences, all desire for the supremacy, they came
close together in Christian fellowship. They drew nearer and nearer
to God, and as they did this they realized what a privilege had been
theirs in being permitted to associate so closely with Christ. Sadness
filled their hearts as they thought of how many times they had grieved
Him by their slowness of comprehension, their failure to understand
the lessons that, for their good, He was trying to teach them.
"These
days of preparation were days of deep heart searching. The disciples
felt their spiritual need and cried to the Lord for the holy unction
that was to fit them for the work of soul saving. They did not ask
for a blessing for themselves merely. They were weighted with the
burden of the salvation of souls. They realized that the gospel was
to be carried to the world, and they claimed the power that Christ
had promised."6
The
devotional life of the remnant
"Communion
with God will ennoble the character and the life. Men will take knowledge
of us, as of the first disciples, that we have been with Jesus. This
will impart to the worker a power that nothing else can give. Of this
power he must not allow himself to be deprived.
"We must
live a twofold life—a life of thought and action, of silent prayer
and earnest work."7
"Prayer
and effort, effort and prayer, will be the business of your life.
You must pray as though the efficiency and praise were all due to
God, and labor as though duty were all your own."8
When I
was traveling in the Philippines and boarded a ship, one of my fellow
passengers was a Moslem priest. At a designated hour of prayer, even
amidst the noisy crowd, he sneaked into a corner of the room, took
out his prayer cloth, and prostrated down facing the east to send
his regular prayer to Allah. I wonder how many Reformers in these
perilous times are as active as this priest was in their devotion
to God. We need to be sincere in our personal prayers and in our family
worship; to be very regular in attendance at all our church meetings,
and to be very active in sharing and witnessing for the truth to others.
a.
Personal prayer and Bible study
Just as
water, food, and air are indispensable to physical life, likewise
prayer and Bible study are indispensable to spiritual life. The apostle
Paul admonishes us to "pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
The Lord Jesus reminds us also to "search the scriptures; for in them
ye think ye have eternal life" (John 5:39).
Satan
attacks us on every side and at every moment. That is why "no man
is safe for a day or an hour without prayer. Especially should we
entreat the Lord for wisdom to understand His word. Here are revealed
the wiles of the tempter and the means by which he may be successfully
resisted. Satan is an expert in quoting Scripture, placing his own
interpretation upon passages, by which he hopes to cause us to stumble.
We should study the Bible with humility of heart, never losing sight
of our dependence upon God. While we must constantly guard against
the devices of Satan, we should pray in faith continually: 'Lead us
not into temptation' (Matthew 6:13)."9
"Satan
well knows that all whom he can lead to neglect prayer and the searching
of the Scriptures, will be overcome by his attacks. Therefore he invents
every possible device to engross the mind."10
"Watch,
brethren, the first dimming of your light, the first neglect of prayer,
the first symptom of spiritual slumber."11
We can
send our petitions to God wherever we are, whatever we are doing and
whenever we have need. "We may commune with God in our hearts; we
may walk in companionship with Christ. When engaged in our daily labor,
we may breathe out our heart's desire, inaudible to any human ear;
but that word cannot die away into silence, nor can it be lost. Nothing
can drown the soul's desire. It rises above the din of the street,
above the noise of machinery. It is God to whom we are speaking, and
our prayer is heard."12
b.
Family worship
Family
worship is the most important hour in our family life. Make it interesting
and let everybody participate. These services are the thermometer
of our spirituality; they bind together the family in one cord of
love, unity, and devotion to God. Let us remember that the family
that prays together stays together.
"In every
family there should be a fixed time for morning and evening worship.
How appropriate it is for parents to gather their children about them
before the fast is broken, to thank the heavenly Father for His protection
during the night, and to ask Him for His help and guidance and watchcare
during the day! How fitting, also, when evening comes, for parents
and children to gather once more before Him and thank Him for the
blessings of the day that is past!
"The father,
or, in his absence, the mother, should conduct the worship, selecting
a portion of Scripture that is interesting and easily understood.
The service should be short. When a long chapter is read and a long
prayer offered, the service is made wearisome, and at its close a
sense of relief is felt. God is dishonored when the hour of worship
is made dry and irksome, when it is so tedious, so lacking in interest,
that the children dread it.
"Fathers
and mothers, make the hour of worship intensely interesting. There
is no reason why this hour should not be the most pleasant and enjoyable
of the day. A little thought given to preparation for it will enable
you to make it full of interest and profit. From time to time let
the service be varied. Questions may be asked on the portion of Scripture
read, and a few earnest, timely remarks may be made. A song of praise
may be sung. The prayer offered should be short and pointed. In simple,
earnest words let the one who leads in prayer praise God for His goodness
and ask Him for help. As circumstances permit, let the children join
in the reading and the prayer."13
c.
Public prayer
One of
the most essential factors for our spiritual growth is faithful attendance
at all our church meetings and gatherings. The apostle Paul says,
"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner
of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye
see the day approaching" (Hebrews 10:25).
"Let our
prayers ascend to God for His converting, transforming grace. Meetings
should be held in every church for solemn prayer and earnest searching
of the word to know what is truth. Take the promises of God, and ask
God in living faith for the outpouring of His Holy Spirit. When the
Holy Spirit is shed upon us, marrow and fatness will be drawn from
the word of God."14
"Some,
fearing they will suffer loss of earthly treasure, neglect prayer
and the assembling of themselves together for the worship of God,
that they may have more time to devote to their farms or their business.
They show by their works which world they place the highest estimate
upon. They sacrifice religious privileges, which are essential to
their spiritual advancement, for the things of this life and fail
to obtain a knowledge of the divine will. They come short of perfecting
Christian character and do not meet the measurement of God. They make
their temporal, worldly interests first, and rob God of the time which
they should devote to His service. Such persons God marks, and they
will receive a curse rather than a blessing."15
d.
Sharing and witnessing
"I charge
thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge
the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; preach the
word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort
with all longsuffering and doctrine" (2 Timothy 4:1, 2).
"The best
help that ministers can give the members of our churches is not sermonizing,
but planning work for them. Give each one something to do for others.
Help all to see that as receivers of the grace of Christ they are
under obligation to work for Him. And let all be taught how to work.
Especially should those who are newly come to the faith be educated
to become laborers together with God."16
"It is
a fatal mistake to suppose that the work of soul-saving depends alone
upon the ministry. The humble, consecrated believer upon whom the
Master of the vineyard places a burden for souls is to be given encouragement
by the men upon whom the Lord has laid larger responsibilities. Those
who stand as leaders in the church of God are to realize that the
Saviour's commission is given to all who believe in His name. God
will send forth into His vineyard many who have not been dedicated
to the ministry by the laying on of hands."17
"The work
of God in this earth can never be finished until the men and women
comprising our church membership rally to the work and unite their
efforts with those of ministers and church officers."18
Conclusion
"When
the churches become living, working churches, the Holy Spirit will
be given in answer to their sincere request. Then the truth of God's
word will be regarded with new interest, and will be explored as if
it were a revelation just from the courts above. Every declaration
of inspiration concerning Christ will take hold of the inmost soul
of those who love Him. Envy, jealousy, evil surmising, will cease.
The Bible will be regarded as a charter from heaven. Its study will
absorb the mind, and its truths will feast the soul. The promises
of God now repeated as if the soul had never tasted of His love, will
then glow upon the altar of the heart, and fall in burning words from
the lips of the messengers of God. They will then plead with souls
with an earnestness that cannot be repulsed. Then the windows of heaven
will be open for the showers of the latter rain. The followers of
Christ will be united in love.
"The only
way the truth can be presented to the world, in its pure and holy
character, is for those who claim to believe it, to be exponents of
its power. The Bible requires the sons and daughters of God to stand
on an elevated platform; for God calls upon them to represent Christ
to the world. As they represent Christ, they represent the Father.
Unity of believers testifies of their oneness with Christ, and this
unity is required by the accumulated light which now shines upon the
pathway of the children of God."19
_________________________
1 Gospel
Workers, p. 13.
2 Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 84–87.
3 Ibid., pp. 140, 141.
4 Ibid., p. 128.
5 Education, pp. 61–64.
6 The Acts of the Apostles, p. 37.
7 The Ministry of Healing, p. 512.
8 Testimonies, vol. 4, p. 538.
9 The Great Controversy, p. 530.
10 Ibid., p. 519.
11 Testimonies, vol. 4, p. 124.
12 Gospel Workers, p. 258.
13 Testimonies, vol. 7, p. 43.
14 The Review and Herald, February 25, 1890.
15 Testimonies, vol. 2, p. 654.
16 Ibid., vol. 6, p. 49.
17 The Acts of the Apostles, p. 110.
18 Testimonies, vol. 9, p. 117.
19 The Review and Herald, February 25, 1890.
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