Burden-sharing

Burdened in behalf of Israel, Daniel studied anew the prophecies of Jeremiah. They were very plain—so plain that he understood by these testimonies recorded in books “the number of the years, whereof the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah the prophet, that He would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.”

With faith founded on the sure word of prophecy, Daniel pleaded with the Lord for the speedy fulfillment of these promises. He pleaded for the honor of God to be preserved. In his petition he identified himself fully with those who had fallen short of the divine purpose, confessing their sins as his own.10Ibid., 554, 555.

What a prayer was that which came forth from the lips of Daniel! What humbling of soul it reveals! The warmth of heavenly fire was recognized in the words that were going upward to God. Heaven responded to that prayer by sending its messenger to Daniel. In this our day, prayers offered in like manner will prevail with God. “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” As in ancient times, when prayer was offered, fire descended from heaven, and consumed the sacrifice upon the altar, so in answer to our prayers, the heavenly fire will come into our souls. The light and power of the Holy Spirit will be ours….

Have not we as great need to call upon God as had Daniel? I address those who believe that we are living in the very last period of this earth’s history. I entreat you to take upon your own souls a burden for our churches, our schools, and our institutions. That God who heard Daniel’s prayer will hear ours when we come to Him in contrition. Our necessities are as urgent, our difficulties are as great, and we need to have the same intensity of purpose, and in faith roll our burden upon the great Burden-bearer. There is need for hearts to be as deeply moved in our time as in the time when Daniel prayed.11The Review and Herald, February 9, 1897.
Conflict and Courage p. 256
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for Wanangwa who has strep throat. Also pray for Mike who is going through some trials. Rose
—-Please pray for my student’s father who is on his way to the hospital. Angela
—-Please keep my Mom in prayer. She is in the hospital. Brieanna
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Dear Friends,

When Ron and I were first married, we lived at Berrien Springs, Michigan. There were many fun things to do in the area at that time, and it seemed like Ron always wanted to do something in the evenings. Somehow he found out about a place where we could ride horses and decided that was going to be the entertainment for the evening. I wasn’t too excited about that because I’m allergic to horses and had not even been near a horse since I was about five. I don’t think he realized how allergic I was and thought I was just embarrassed because I had not ridden in years.

He assured me that it didn’t matter that I hadn’t ridden in years. He had not been on a horse in years either. Of course, we went. I managed to pull myself up on that huge animal which was not an easy task.
As soon as I was in the saddle, that beast knew that I had no idea what I was doing. Animals can sense those things. Since I did not know how to control that horse, she decided that she would control me. We were supposed to follow the guide as he took us on a trail ride. My horse
was tired of seeing the same scenery. She decided to stray from the path. I made an effort to get her back on the path, but she knew who was boss. She was. The guide came back to where I was and gave me a few instructions. Not too far down the path, my horse spied a delicious
clump of tender grasses. Off the path she went to eat that delicacy. Since I was her captive, I went along too.

The guide was getting a little impatient. This trail ride was taking much longer than it was supposed to. Several times this happened and finally he just took the reins away from me and led the horse the rest of the way. By that time, I was beyond caring. My eyes itched, my nose
was running, and I was miserable. Humiliation was the least of my worries.

After the ride, Ron wanted to go to a restaurant the served delicious vegeburgers. I was too sick to cook so it seemed like a good idea. When we sat down at one of the tables, I realized that was not a good idea. I looked terrible. My eyes were swollen. My nose was running. Loud
sneezes were bursting forth from me uncontrollably. The restaurant was very crowded and every one of those people were looking at me as if I had the plague. I knew what they were thinking. They didn’t want whatever I had.

How many times, we look upon others with the same disdain when in reality we are as infected with sin as are they. Praise God! Our Dear Saviour
was not afraid to come to this sin-infected planet. Indeed, He left the glories of Heaven and the adoration of all the vast multitudes of angels and beings unfallen to save us. He “came to seek and to save that which was lost” no matter how infected with sin we were. No matter if we looked as disgusting as I did after riding that horse. Luke 19:10 He looks beyond the outward symptoms and sees a soul worth saving. He asks us to do the same. He declared, :I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” John 8:12 “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matt 5:16
Just before going back to Heaven, he commissioned His followers “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Matt 28:18-20

May we fulfill the words of Paul in our relationship with others when he said, “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Phil 2:3-8

Rose