Sunday
August 12
1. HOLY GROUND
a. What can we learn from the experience of Moses when he came into the presence of God? Exodus 3:1–5. How did Joshua act when he was in the presence of Christ? Joshua 5:13–15.
“Humility and reverence should characterize the deportment of all who come into the presence of God.”—Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 252.
b. What description of God’s power, as manifested on Mount Sinai, should motivate us with reverence and fear? Exodus 19:20–24; Hebrews 12:25, 26, 28, 29. Even without outward manifestations of God’s presence, when do we stand on holy ground today?
“God purposed to make the occasion of speaking His law a scene of awful grandeur, in keeping with its exalted character. The people were to be impressed that everything connected with the service of God must be regarded with the greatest reverence.”—Ibid., p. 303.
“So terrible were the tokens of Jehovah’s presence that the hosts of Israel shook with fear, and fell upon their faces before the Lord. Even Moses exclaimed, ‘I exceedingly fear and quake’ (Hebrews 12:21).”—Ibid., p. 304.
“As you take the Bible in your hands, remember that you are on holy ground.”—Fundamentals of Christian Education, p. 195.
Monday
August 13
2. GOD’S OMNISCIENCE
a. With what simple explanations does the Bible depict the omniscience of God, especially in regard to the heavenly records being gathered in these last days? Psalms 11:4; 102:19.
b. What mentality reveals the foolishness of many people, including some who have been entrusted with great light? Psalms 73:11; 139:7–12; Ezekiel 8:12. What should this cause us to consider? Isaiah 55:6.
“The time is coming when it will be too late to seek God, and I have been thinking how we shall feel when probation is closed and all our lifework ended. With what feelings shall we review the past? Shall we then wish that our efforts to serve God had been more earnest? Shall we wish that we had lived more in harmony with His revealed will? Shall we then be accounted as faithful servants? What if at this moment we should hear the voice of Christ saying, ‘It is done’?
“I had a dream once in which I saw a large company gathered together, and suddenly the heavens gathered blackness, the thunder rolled, the lightning flashed, and a voice louder than the heaviest peals of thunder, sounded through the heavens and the earth, saying, ‘It is done.’ Part of the company, with pallid faces, sprang forward with a wail of agony, crying out, ‘O, I am not ready.’ The question was asked, ‘Why are you not ready? Why have you not improved the opportunities I graciously gave you?’ I awoke with the cry ringing in my ears, ‘I am not ready; I am unsaved—lost! lost! eternally lost!’
“In view of the solemn responsibilities that rest upon us, let us contemplate the future, that we may understand what we must do in order to meet it. In that day shall we be confronted with neglect and contempt of God and His mercy, with rejection of His truth and love? In the solemn assembly of the last day, in the hearing of the universe, will be read the reason of the condemnation of the sinner. For the first time parents will learn what has been the secret life of their children. Children will see how many wrongs they have committed against their parents. There will be a general revealing of the secrets and motives of the heart; for that which is hid will be made manifest. Those who have made sport of solemn things connected with the judgment will be sobered as they face its terrible reality.”—The Youth’s Instructor, July 21, 1892.
Tuesday
August 14
3. LIFE BEFORE HEAVENLY WITNESSES
a. How does the severe test that came upon Joseph warn us against temptations that come to us in secret? Genesis 39:3–9; Proverbs 7:7–10, 18–20.
“Joseph’s faith and integrity were to be tested by fiery trials. His master’s wife endeavored to entice the young man to transgress the law of God. Heretofore he had remained untainted by the corruption teeming in that heathen land; but this temptation, so sudden, so strong, so seductive—how should it be met? . . . Would principle triumph? Would Joseph still be true to God? With inexpressible anxiety, angels looked upon the scene.
“Joseph’s answer reveals the power of religious principle. He would not betray the confidence of his master on earth, and, whatever the consequences, he would be true to his Master in heaven. Under the inspecting eye of God and holy angels many take liberties of which they would not be guilty in the presence of their fellow men, but Joseph’s first thought was of God. ‘How . . . can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?’ he said.”—Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 217.
b. What will result from a more vivid understanding of God’s omniscience and omnipresence? Hebrews 4:13; Psalm 33:8, 14, 15.
“If we were to cherish an habitual impression that God sees and hears all that we do and say and keeps a faithful record of our words and actions, and that we must meet it all, we would fear to sin. Let the young ever remember that wherever they are, and whatever they do, they are in the presence of God. No part of our conduct escapes observation. We cannot hide our ways from the Most High. Human laws, though sometimes severe, are often transgressed without detection, and hence with impunity. But not so with the law of God. The deepest midnight is no cover for the guilty one. He may think himself alone, but to every deed there is an unseen witness. The very motives of his heart are open to divine inspection. Every act, every word, every thought, is as distinctly marked as though there were only one person in the whole world, and the attention of heaven were centered upon him.”—Ibid., pp. 217, 218.
Wednesday
August 15
4. GOD’S CONTINUAL PRESENCE
a. How does an awareness of God’s omniscience and omnipresence comfort our heart? Genesis 16:13; 2 Chronicles 16:9 (first part); Matthew 6:4.
“Only the sense of God’s presence can banish the fear that, for the timid child, would make life a burden. Let him fix in his memory the promise, ‘The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them’ (Psalm 34:7).”—Education, p. 255.
b. With what words did the apostle Paul seek to instill in the believers a desire to please God and not merely Paul? Philippians 2:12, 13. Why should this cause us to keep fresh in mind the reality of the great Judgment?
“Various sins that are cherished and practiced by professed Christians bring the frown of God upon the church. In the day when the Ledger of Heaven shall be opened, the Judge will not in words express to man his guilt, but will cast one penetrating, convicting glance, and every deed, every transaction of life, will be vividly impressed upon the memory of the wrongdoer. The person will not, as in Joshua’s day, need to be hunted out from tribe to family, but his own lips will confess his shame, his selfishness, covetousness, dishonesty, dissembling, and fraud. His sins, hidden from the knowledge of man, will then be proclaimed, as it were, upon the housetop.”—Testimonies, vol. 4, p. 493.
“As a shield from temptation and an inspiration to purity and truth, no other influence can equal the sense of God’s presence.”—Education, p. 255.
“Those who have despised the word of God will then face the Author of the inspired oracles. We cannot afford to live with no reference to the day of judgment; for though long delayed, it is now near, even at the door, and hasteth greatly. . . .
“The all-seeing eye of God is upon us; the secret thoughts of our hearts are not hidden. Every one of us will be judged according to the deeds done in the body. I inquire of you today, How do you stand before God? How does He who can understand every motive, see every thought, hear every word, behold every action of your life, regard your case?”—The Youth’s Instructor, July 21, 1892.
Thursday
August 16
5. GOD’S SPECIAL PRESENCE
a. Explain the benefits of secret prayer. Psalms 4:4; 62:8; 63:1, 2, 5, 6.
“We should pray in the family circle, and above all we must not neglect secret prayer, for this is the life of the soul. It is impossible for the soul to flourish while prayer is neglected. Family or public prayer alone is not sufficient. In solitude let the soul be laid open to the inspecting eye of God. Secret prayer is to be heard only by the prayer-hearing God. No curious ear is to receive the burden of such petitions. In secret prayer the soul is free from surrounding influences, free from excitement. Calmly, yet fervently, will it reach out after God. Sweet and abiding will be the influence emanating from Him who seeth in secret, whose ear is open to hear the prayer arising from the heart.”—Steps to Christ, p. 98.
b. What does restless haste cost us, spiritually? Describe the sacred delight of time devoted solely to God. Psalm 84:4–8, 12.
“We all lose much sweet communion with God by our restlessness, by not encouraging moments of reflection and prayer.”—Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 492.
“Many, even in their seasons of devotion, fail of receiving the blessing of real communion with God. They are in too great haste. With hurried steps they press through the circle of Christ’s loving presence, pausing perhaps a moment within the sacred precincts, but not waiting for counsel. They have no time to remain with the divine Teacher. With their burdens they return to their work. . . .
“Not a pause for a moment in His presence, but personal contact with Christ, to sit down in companionship with Him—this is our need.”—Education, pp. 260, 261.
Friday
August 17
PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. What do we understand by “holy ground”?
2. When tempted, what should we recall from the experience of Joseph?
3. How does a sense of God’s presence bring comfort to the faithful?
4. How does a sense of God’s presence remind us of the great Judgment?
5. Name one factor that can enrich our individual quiet time with God.