Back in Bethlehem

Self-pity (Ruth 1:6, 7; 19-21)

v. 6.“Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the Lord had visited His people in giving them bread.”

v.7. “Wherefore she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters in law with her; and they went on the way to return unto the land of Judah.”

v. 19. “So they two went until they came to Bethlehem. And it came to pass, when they were come to Bethlehem, that all the city was moved about them, and they said, Is this Naomi?

v. 21. “I went out full and the Lord hath brought me home again empty: why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the Lord hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me?”

“Many greatly magnify seeming difficulties and then begin to pity themselves and give way to despondency. Such need to make an entire change in themselves. They need to discipline themselves to put forth exertion and to overcome all childish feelings. They should determine that life shall not be spent on working at trifles… Every one should have an aim, an object, in life. The loins of the mind should be girded up, and the thoughts be trained to keep to the point, as the compass to the pole. The mind should be directed in the right channel, according to well-formed plans. Then every step will be a step in advance… Success or failure in this life depends much upon the manner in which thoughts are disciplined.” Vol. 2, MCP, 630, RH, Apr. 6, 1886.

“Trial will come to you. Thus the Lord polishes the roughness from your character. Do not murmur. You make the trial harder by repining. Honour God by cheerful submission. Patiently endure the pressure. Even though a wrong is done you, keep the love of God in the heart. ‘Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and His ears are open unto their cry.’” MYP, p. 97. See also Ed, p. 88.

Different Nationalities, One Hope—Ruth 2:2-6

“As you learn the lesson of meekness, as you become one with Christ as He is one with the Father, you will draw together. The brethren of different nationalities will have but one interest and hope and work. You will not feel that because the French have habits of thought and action to which you are not accustomed, you must divorce your interests from theirs. The Germans will not feel that because they have some good ideas and customs, they can never learn of others. Every follower of Christ must come to the foot of the cross. I must not say to my French brother, ‘You stand on that side of the cross, because that is your place,’ and to my German brother, ?You stand on that side, and I will stand on this side because I am English.’ We must seek for unity and harmony. We should seek for the deep movings of the Spirit of God, that the sweet spirit of Christ may blend heart with heart. When we reach this union, God will let His rich blessing rest upon us as He let it rest upon His disciples on the day of Pentecost, and then we shall be able to go forth to proclaim the message of love and mercy to all nations. We must all drink at the same fountain; for Christ has said, ?Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink His blood, ye have no life in you.’ If we all partake of the same nourishment, we shall all have the same testimony to bear. I cannot see that the experience of our German brethren differs from the experience of our French or English brethren. And why should there be a difference in the experience of the children of God?” RH, Nov. 12, 1889.

“No distinction on account of nationality, race, or caste, is recognized by God. He is the Maker of all mankind. All men are of one family by creation and all are one through redemption. Christ came to demolish every wall of partition, to throw open every compartment of the temple courts, that every soul may have free access to God. His love is so broad, so deep, so full, that it penetrates everywhere. It lifts out of Satan’s influence those who have been deluded by his deceptions, and places them within reach of the throne of God, the throne encircled by the rainbow of promise. In Christ there is neither Jew nor Greek, bond nor free.” PK 369,370; 9T 180-181.

The Great Provider

“In His sermon on the Mount, Christ taught His disciples precious lessons in regard to the necessity of trusting in God. These lessons were designed to encourage the children of God through all ages, and they have come down to our time, full of instruction and comfort. The divine Teacher said to His followers: ‘Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?…

“The Saviour pointed His followers to the birds of the air, as they warbled their carols of praise, unencumbered with thoughts of care; for ?they sow not, neither do they reap,’ and yet the great Father provides for their needs. He asks, ‘Are ye not much better than they?’ Those who profess to be the children of God dishonour their heavenly Father when they manifest unbelief. The great Provider for man and beast opens His hand, and supplies all His creatures. The birds of the air are not beneath His notice. He does not drop the food into their bills, but He makes provision for their needs. They must exert themselves to gather the grains He has scattered for them. They must prepare the material for their little nests. They must feed their young. They go forth singing, to their labour; for ‘your heavenly Father feedeth them.’ ?Are ye not much better than they?’ Are not ye, as intelligent, spiritual worshippers, of more value than the fowls of the air? Will not the Author of man’s being, the Preserver of his life, the One who formed him in His own divine image, provide for his necessities, if he but trust in Him?” RH, Sept. 18, 1888.

God’s Concern for the Disadvantaged

“If men would do their duty as faithful stewards of their Lord’s goods, there would be no cry for bread, none suffering in destitution, none naked and in want. It is the unfaithfulness of men that brings about the state of suffering in which humanity is plunged. If those whom God has made stewards would but appropriate their Lord’s goods to the object for which He gave them, this state of suffering would not exist. The Lord tests men by giving them an abundance of good things, just as He tested the rich man of the parable. If we prove ourselves unfaithful in the righteous mammon, who shall entrust to us the true riches? It will be those who have stood the test on the earth, who have been found faithful, who have obeyed the word of the Lord in being merciful, in using their means for the advancement of His kingdom, that will hear from the lips of the Master, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.’” WM 16, 17.

“Those who are yoked up with Christ will not give with a patronizing air, as though they should have great praise for their benevolence. They will realize that they are trading in their Lord’s goods, not their own, and that they will have to give an account, in the Judgment, of the use they have made of their entrusted capital. Those truly love their neighbour as themselves who realize their responsibilities and the claims that suffering humanity has upon them, and carry out the principles of God’s law in the daily life.

“It is not God’s plan at all that the rich should give gifts to those who have abundance. It is the distressed, the downtrodden, the discouraged, the hungry, the suffering, the naked, the poor, of whom Christ says, ‘Ye have the poor always with you.’ We need to take closer views of God’s word and of eternity. This will not disqualify any one for the duties of life, or to act a Christlike part in society. The gospel of Christ is not only to be believed, but to be acted. We are to be doers of the word. We are daily determining our destiny in the future life by the character we develop in this.
“Jesus, the world’s Redeemer, laid off His royal crown, laid aside His royal robe, and clothed His divinity with humanity; though adored and worshipped by the angelic host, He left His high command, and for our sake became poor, that we, through His poverty might be made rich…

“In every large city there are human beings who are not cared for, and are made of less consideration than the brutes. Moral degradation meets the eye and pains the senses. Human beings live in dark cellars, in houses that are reeking with dampness and filth…

“Christians, will you consider that Jesus gave His life to save these souls? Will you not cooperate with Him in this great work? It is not fitful service that God accepts; it is not emotional spasms of piety that make us children of God. He calls upon us to work for principles that are true, firm, and abiding. If Christ is formed within, the hope of glory, He will be revealed in the character, it will be Christlike. We are to represent Christ to the world, as Christ represented the Father.” RH, Jan. 11, 1898. See also, 1T 272-274.

Opportunities to Do Good

“As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” Gal. 6:10; James 2:15-17.

“And when she was risen up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, Let her glean even among the sheaves, and reproach her not.” Ruth 2:15.

“And let fall also some of the handfuls of purpose for her, and leave them, that she may glean them, and rebuke her not.” Ruth 2:16.

“Those who have the love of Christ in their hearts will care for the needy and afflicted. ?But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.’ The principles of the last six of God’s commandments are summed up in the words, ‘Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.’

“All selfishness is condemned by the law of God, and we are made stewards of God, and should not be neglectful of, or indifferent to, our brethren. We cannot love God unless we love those about us. A man will reveal just what is in his heart. Words are of but little value. Love should be expressed in acts of sympathy, in kindness to those who are oppressed, or in poverty, or affliction, or temptation. God’s deeds are the fruits of sanctification. If we are waiting and watching for opportunities to do good, to infuse light, to impart tangible blessings, we shall not feel that in doing so we have done any great things; yet Jesus will reckon every act of kindness done to others as done to Himself.

“He who seeks to walk by the rule of God’s law, will care for the interests of his brethren as he would care for his own interests. Genuine piety manifested in this manner is of more value in the sight of God, who readeth the thoughts and intents of the heart, than all manner of boasting professions.” YI, Dec. 9, 1897. See also 3T 547.

In the Footsteps of the Master

“We need not go to Nazareth, to Capernaum, or Bethany, in order to walk in the steps of Jesus. We shall find His footprints beside the sickbed, in the hovels of poverty, in the crowded alleys of the great city, and in every place where there are human hearts in need of consolation. In doing as Jesus did when on earth, we shall walk in His steps.” DA 640.

“When you meet those who are careworn and oppressed, who know not which way to turn to find relief, put your hearts into the work of helping them. It is not God’s purpose that His children shall shut themselves up to themselves, taking no interest in the welfare of those less fortunate than themselves. Remember that for them as well as for you Christ has died.” WM 168. Acts 9:36-42.

Dear Brethren, this is the work we also are to do in the world. In sympathy and compassion we are to minister to those in need of help, seeking with unselfish earnestness to enlighten the woe of suffering humanity. As we engage in this work we shall be greatly blessed. Its influence is irresistible. By it souls are won to the Redeemer. The practical carrying out of the Saviour’s commission demonstrates the power of the gospel. This work calls for laborious effort, but it pays; for by it perishing souls are saved. Through its influence men and women of talent are to be brought to the cross of Christ. AMEN.

Golden Kayawa Hingabantu, Zambia