And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the Lord. Isaiah 66:23.
How beautiful the earth was when it came from the Creator’s hand! God presented before the universe a world in which even His all-seeing eye could find no spot or stain. Each part of the creation occupied the part assigned to it, and answered the purpose for which it was created. Peace and holy joy filled the earth. There was no confusion, no clashing. There was no disease to afflict man or beast, and the vegetable kingdom was without taint or corruption. God looked upon the work of His hands, wrought out by Christ, and pronounced it “very good.” 135The Review and Herald, July 21, 1904.
The Sabbath was hallowed at the creation. As ordained for man, it had its origin when “the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy.” Job 38:7….
The Sabbath was not for Israel merely, but for the world. It had been made known to man in Eden, and, like the other precepts of the Decalogue, it is of imperishable obligation. Of that law of which the fourth commandment forms a part, Christ declares, “Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law.” Matthew 5:18. So long as the heavens and the earth endure, the Sabbath will continue as a sign of the Creator’s power. And when Eden shall bloom on earth again, God’s holy rest day will be honored by all beneath the sun. “From one sabbath to another” the inhabitants of the glorified new earth shall … “worship before me, saith the Lord.” 136The Desire of Ages, 281-283.
God teaches that we should assemble in His house to cultivate the attributes of perfect love. This will fit the dwellers of earth for the mansions that Christ has gone to prepare for all who love Him. There they will assemble in the sanctuary from Sabbath to Sabbath, from one new moon to another, to unite in loftiest strains of song, in praise and thanksgiving to Him who sits upon the throne, and to the Lamb forever and ever.137Testimonies for the Church 6:368.
The Faith I Live By p. 37
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Prayer Requests
—-Please keep Mike in prayer on Tuesday morning as he has an important job interview. Eileen
—-Please pray for a friend whose friend attempted suicide and is in serious condition in the hospital. His name is James and is 35 years old. Also asking for prayer for 5-year-old Brax. He has the flu and pneumonia, RSV. His oxygen is in the mid 80’s. Michael
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Dear Friends,
One beautiful spring day, Eileen who had just turned three, was happily playing on the porch. I was standing in the doorway watching her. It felt good to have warm weather after the long, cold, Pennsylvania winter. Suddenly, a wasp came from out of nowhere, landed on Eileen’s back, stung her, then flew away.
Startled, poor Eileen began to cry. She had not seen the wasp, but she had felt the searing pain. I was shocked at this wasp’s very strange behavior. It did not have a nest nearby. It was not being threatened, or I would have understood it. That wasp, for whatever reason, decided to sting my daughter. From that moment, Eileen did not like to play outside. It took a great deal of coaxing to get her to go outdoors by herself, and even then, she would not stay long.
We, too, have an adversary who strikes when we least expect it. Sometimes everything seems to be right with our world, when suddenly, without warning, the evil one “stings” us. We are as shocked as was Eileen so many years ago. We are frightened and dismayed. Our world has fallen apart. There seems to be nowhere to turn. We don’t know what to do. We feel like David when he exclaimed, “Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me.” Ps 55:5
Praise God, there is Someone Who can drive away the evil one and heal the “stings” of the enemy! We have Someone Who loves us so much that He was willing to leave the glories of Heaven and come to this small, corrupt planet to live a perfect life and die on the cross that we might be saved. What sacrifice! He, alone, offers us a place of safety from all the stings of the wicked one. What love! What care! What healing power!
He bids us, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” Matt 11:28 How Jesus longs for us to bring to Him all of our burdens, all of our trials, all of our cares. “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” 1 Peter 5:7 In the very next verse, we are counseled, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” 1 Peter 5:8 When we feel the wasp-sting of the evil one, we can cast our cares upon the Saviour Who loves us, and He will take the pain away. When our world falls apart, we can flee into His loving arms, and He will comfort us and make all right again. He will hedge us about with holy angels and protect us in trouble. (Psalm 91)
May we keep so close to our Loving Saviour each day that no matter how many times the evil one wants to sting us, he will have to flee from us is my prayer.
Rose