Gods Sabbath

C HRIST O UR E XAMPLE

259

No matter how much it might appear that the eternal Father was not meeting His responsibilities, the Son for His part, must not assume any of them to save either Himself or the work. It was imperative that Jesus remain in His own position, acting out the role of a totally dedicated servant, the obedient instru ment of the Most High. It was a simple matter for Christ to accept these terms at the Jordan. He was kneeling in the radiant light and power flowing down from heaven, His Father’s voice was ringing audibly in His ears, the tempter was not harassing Him, and no threat was be ing leveled at Him or the Lord’s work. The inspiration of that glorious moment could only inspire an unblemished confidence that He was safe in the arms of a competent Father under whose perfect guidance nothing could possibly go wrong. Believers often enjoy a similar experience. Gathered together at a camp meeting or a Sabbath service, they listen to a faith charged preacher reading God’s glowing promises to them. The words are so direct, so simple, so understandable, and so power ful, that they are gripped by the inspiration of the hour. Confi dence in God is awakened, His promises are grasped, and the listeners respond by accepting the relationship offered. They now rest in the powerful assurance that the Lord will do all that He has promised. It is not difficult to enter into this covenant when we are in an inspirational meeting, free from satanic pressure, and enjoying good health. Confidence in God’s capacity and willingness to keep His word is abounding, and we leave the gathering assured that we are safe in our heavenly Father’s care. But it is another matter to maintain that relationship when Satan is using every device and exerting every pressure at his command, to break it. At such times God seems far away, ap parently unmindful, uncaring, and uninterested in meeting His responsibilities. It is then that the terrible temptation to do something to save ourselves presses with almost irresisti ble force on the soul. Should we trust and wait upon our heav enly Problem Solver who is apparently not responding to us, or should we trust in our own ability to resolve the urgent problem? It is the pressure to which practically every human being, apart from Christ, has bowed at one time or another.