Written by: John Sernaque
Call to Worship
1 Corinthians 10:10-11
10:10 Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.
10:11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
Patriarchs and Prophets 293
God would have His people in these days review with a humble heart and teachable spirit the trials through which ancient Israel passed, that they may be instructed in their preparation for the heavenly Canaan. {PP 293.1}
Many look back to the Israelites, and marvel at their unbelief and murmuring, feeling that they themselves would not have been so ungrateful; but when their faith is tested, even by little trials, they manifest no more faith or patience than did ancient Israel. When brought into strait places, they murmur at the process by which God has chosen to purify them. Though their present needs are supplied, many are unwilling to trust God for the future, and they are in constant anxiety lest poverty shall come upon them, and their children shall be left to suffer. Some are always anticipating evil or magnifying the difficulties that really exist, so that their eyes are blinded to the many blessings which demand their gratitude. The obstacles they encounter, instead of leading them to seek help from God, the only Source of strength, separate them from Him, because they awaken unrest and repining. {PP 293.2}
We not only learn and grow from our own failures and mistakes, but also those of others as well. The examples that God gives us are written for our own admonition, that we may learn and grow from them. It is of no avail to worry about the future, as worrying is sinful. We are to place all our faith and trust in God, neither murmuring nor complaining, lest we be destroyed. God will provide. The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He knows the beginning from the end. We are to learn with a humble heart from those days past to prepare us for our future heavenly Canaan.
Dear God,
We thank You for being with us, watching over us, protecting us, and keeping us safe. We are sorry and humbly repent of our sins, including all the worrying we do about our future. We pray that You empower us with Your strength and courage to go forward, to walk by faith and not by sight. We pray that we may see all the blessings You continually bestow upon us and not anticipate the evils that Satan would have come upon us. Increase our faith and help our unbelief. Lead us and prepare us for heavenly Canaan. We thank You for hearing and answering our prayers. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.
