And they shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, for fear of the Lord, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth. Isaiah 2:19.
The hidden ones have been scattered because of man’s enmity against the law of Jehovah. They have been oppressed by all the powers of the earth. They have been scattered in the dens and caves of the earth through the violence of their adversaries, because they are true and obedient to Jehovah’s laws. But deliverance comes to the people of God. To their enemies God will show Himself a God of just retribution. . . .
From the dens and the caves of the earth, that have been the secret hiding places of God’s people, they are called forth as His witnesses, true and faithful.
The people who have braved out their rebellion will fulfill the description given in Revelation 6:15-17. In these very caves and dens they find the very statement of truth in the letters and in the publications as witness against them. The shepherds who lead the sheep in false paths will hear the charge made against them, “It was you who made light of truth. It was you who told us that God’s law was abrogated, that it was a yoke of bondage. It was you who voiced the false doctrines when I was convicted that these Seventh-day Adventists had the truth. The blood of our souls is upon your priestly garments. . . . Now will you pay the ransom for my soul? . . . What shall we do who listened to your garbling of the Scriptures and your turning into a lie the truth which if obeyed would have saved us?”
When Christ comes to take vengeance on those who have educated and trained the people to trample on God’s Sabbath, to tear down His memorial, and tread down with their feet the feed of His pastures, lamentations will be in vain. Those who trusted in the false shepherds had the word of God to search for themselves, and they find that God will judge every man who has had the truth and turned from the light because it involved self-denial and the cross. Rocks and mountains cannot screen them from the indignation of Him that sitteth on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb.
Maranatha p. 290
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Prayer Requests
—–Larry is going in for more tests next week. Please pray. Eileen
——Please pray for my friend, Shirley. She has a large aneurism in her ascending aorta which could burst at any time. Rose
——update—They will be moving Enoch to a rehab facility in _____. Thank you all for your prayers and support. April
——We need some directing from the Lord. A
—–Please pray for me. I’m having problems with insomnia. Diana
—–Please pray for Carolyn who is having spinal surgery today. Esther
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Dear Friends
When Ronnie Jay was about eleven, we were walking on the Centennial Trail in Spokane, Washington, with a group of friends. We often walked on another part of this trail, but that particular day had decided to walk on the part that goes through the Spokane Valley. Since the trail is “improved” in that area, Ronnie Jay insisted on going barefoot. It was against our better judgement, but we said “yes”. We had thought that his feet would get tired and sore from walking on cement all that way and would soon put on his shoes.
As he was running along ahead of us, he somehow got his big toe caught under his foot. When he stepped on it, it immediately turned black and blue. How much our son wished that he had had worn shoes that day. That ended our pleasant walk. We were far from where we parked the car, so he had no choice but to hobble the long distance back to it.
How often we are like Ronnie Jay. We get ourselves into trouble so easily by doing our own will. What seems like such a good idea can end in confusion, distress, and pain. Isaiah tells us, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way.” Isa 53:6 Solomon adds, “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Prov 14:12
Daily, we are bombarded with the things of this world. Through television, radio, those around us, driving down the road, even shopping in a store, temptations are hurled at us. Indeed, “the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” Only as we “resist stedfast in the faith,” can we “shun [these]profane and vain babblings” that the world has to offer. 1 Peter 5:8; 2 Tim 2:16
Yet, how often we go through life “barefoot” totally unprepared for warfaring against the evil one and his snares. Paul advises, “be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Eph 6:10-17
“And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we [first] believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ.” Rom 13:11-14 Let us “study to show [ourselves]approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” that we discern the plottings of our enemy. 2 Tim 2:15 Let us “prove all things; hold fast that which is good,” that we may be ready to meet our Great Redeemer face to face. 1 Thess 5:21
Rose
In the Dens and Caves of the Earth