Gods Sabbath

J OHN THE B APTIST

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same terms. It is God who decides which kind of service will best help resolve the great controversy. Under no circumstances is it giv en to us to choose where or how we will serve God, now or in the future. These decisions only the Master Ar chitect can make, for He alone knows what will prosper the work and what will hinder it. Undoubted ly, if we were to choose according to the desires of our human nature, we would prefer to serve God with a long and prosperous life, but should

this be the lot of everyone, the witness essential to the success ful termination of sin’s reign would never be given. Some must suffer and die for the cause, their work being just as important as that performed by those called to give a long life of service. The short period spent by John in active labour was no less vi tal than the long term given by Moses. Only that life which is fully submitted to God’s choice of health or sickness, prosperity or adversity, life or death, con forms to the principle of Sabbath rest. Such a submissive spirit can be maintained only when we understand and accept that we are God’s witnesses upon whom Satan may be permitted to bring afflictions, sickness, trials, poverty, bereavement, and death. It is incumbent upon all of God’s professed followers to comprehend this principle and live by it. If we do not, we will most certainly follow the alternative of seeking to plan God’s work for Him. As a result, we will allow the spirit of self-trust to control us, instead of trusting in God’s role as our Plan Maker. If we follow this course we will lose the Sabbath rest experience and God’s blessed peace from our heart, life, and practice.

An Encouragement

It would have been very easy for God to have saved John the Baptist from Herod’s prison. His ability to do so was demonstrated