Gods Sabbath

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E NTERING INTO G OD ’ S S ABBATH R EST

with Christ in His mighty work of ridding the earth of sin, by revealing the perfection and power in God’s character of love and justice. They were grateful to have been the instruments through which such a significant and critical victory had been gained. It is, of course, regrettable that they had to wait until the res urrection before they could rejoice. The same joy they had by sight when Lazarus arose from the dead, could have been theirs by faith when he was sick and dying. It was highly commenda ble that the sisters did not cast any reflection on Christ or His Father for not coming, as they expected He would, to the bedside of their beloved brother when he lay dying, but there was yet a higher level of faith for them to attain. That faith, based on a clear understanding of the principle that God’s children are called to be His witnesses in sickness or in health, in life or in death, would have brought gladness to their hearts even in the midst of their trials. They could have en couraged each other with the inspiring thought that, while God had not informed them of the glorious purpose being achieved through their pain and sacrifice, they were chosen instruments without whom the Lord could not carry forward His work. If they had done so, they would have looked forward in happy an ticipation to the outworking of God’s purposes. It may be safely said then, that our attitude during days of suffering, loss, and bereavement is an indication to ourselves, if we are wise enough to see it, of the level of faith we have at tained (see 2 Corinthians 13:5). We seldom consider this, for in trouble and difficulty, we tend to imagine that God is working against us when, in fact, the opposite is true. “God works out His plans, though to human eyes they are veiled in mystery. Men cannot understand the ways of God; and, looking at appearances, they interpret the trials and tests and provings that God permits to come upon them as things that are against them, and that will only work their ruin.” Patriarchs and Prophets , 672.2. Lack of Faith