God’s Commandments Are Sure

The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure. They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness. Psalm 111:7, 8.
The law of God existed before the creation of man or else Adam could not have sinned. After the transgression of Adam the principles of the law were not changed, but were definitely arranged and expressed to meet man in his fallen condition.
The angels were governed by it [the law]. Satan fell because he transgressed the principles of God’s government. After Adam and Eve were created, God made known to them His law. It was not then written, but was rehearsed to them by Jehovah.
In love, with a desire to elevate and ennoble us, God provided for us a standard of obedience. In awful majesty, amid thundering and lightning, He proclaimed from Mount Sinai His ten holy precepts. This law reveals the whole duty of the human family; the first four precepts define our duty to God, and the last six our duty to man.
The law of God, being a revelation of His will, a transcript of His character, must forever endure, “as a faithful witness in heaven.” Not one command has been annulled; not a jot or tittle has been changed. Says the psalmist: “For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven.” Psalm 119:89.
From the first, the great controversy had been upon the law of God. Satan had sought to prove that God was unjust, that His law was faulty, and that the good of the universe required it to be changed. In attacking the law, he aimed to overthrow the authority of its Author.
Through Satan’s temptations the whole human race have become transgressors of God’s law; but by the sacrifice of His Son a way is opened whereby they may return to God. Through the grace of Christ they may be enabled to render obedience to the Father’s law.
When we trust God fully, when we rely upon the merits of Jesus as a sin-pardoning Saviour, we shall receive all the help that we can desire.
The Faith I Live By p. 80
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Prayer Requests
—-update—Sharon’s surgery did not go well. She is now on a ventilator. Please pray. Mike
—-Please pray for my sister who needs Jesus. Michelle
—-I need prayers for my dad. He has been diagnosed with COPD and emphysema. He has been released from the hospital but is unable to go home due to mold from IRMA all throughout his house. He is staying at a neighbor’s house who is up north and can stay there until the mold has been removed. He is thankful for a place to stay but “it isn’t home”. Barbara
—-Please pray for me. My sore on my left foot has not dried up and am still having problems and complications with my health. Levi
—-Asking for prayer for a very dear friend Patricia and her family. Her 15 year old grandson committed suicide and they are devastated. They had no idea he was troubled. Tina
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 Dear Friends, 
In 1890, when my grandfather, Edwin Harmon, was six, he and his brother, Harold, got their picture taken.  These days, that is nothing special, but in those far off days, it was quite a long and difficult process.  My grandmother kept it in a special place because it was the only picture of him as a child.
Occasionally she would allow me to look at it.  His face, childish yet a little sad and with big frightened eyes, fascinated me.  I would try to imagine what he was like in those far off days. I knew that in just four short years after that photo was taken, life would be so unbearable that he would leave home and wander up and down the eastern seaboard. How much unhappiness that was in that home. It was no wonder that his eyes were sad.  His father would not allow his boys to laugh or to sing. They dreaded to see him come home because every night he would beat them unmercifully.  The reason?  He was sure that they must have done something during the day to deserve a whipping and their mother was trying to protect them by not telling him.  All of his life, my grandfather hated his father. 
When earthly fathers fail us, we have a merciful Heavenly Father Who cares for us.  “When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.”  Ps 27:10  Praise God!  He will never forsake us!  He promises, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”  Heb 13:5  He assures us, “I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.”  Jer 31:3  Think of it!  The Great King of the Universe loves us more than He loves Himself, for “He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”  John 3:16
Even when our Heavenly Father allows trials and troubles to come our way, He assures us, “Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour.”  Isa 43:1-3  Parents often correct their children in anger or because of mistaken concepts of discipline, but our Heavenly Father has a far different motive when He must correct us. He allows trials and troubles to come into our life for our benefit, to draw us closer to Him. When our life is turned upside down, the dross is consumed away and the pure gold can shine through. When our world comes crashing in around us, we have the assurance that  “we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.” 1 Cor 11:32  Paul explains, “My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.  Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.  Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.” Heb 12:5-14
Let us pray as David prayed, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Ps 139:23,24  Let us allow ourselves to become finer vessels because of the trials that must come our way. Let us cling to our Dear Saviour’s nail scarred hand that is extended to us to comfort us when we must endure trials, our heart filled with love and gratitude for our Heavenly Father’s working in our life.
Rose