Sunday
October 6
1. PLEADING FOR WISDOM
a. Why do we really need more than human wisdom in life, and how is it accessible to us? James 1:5.
“We need to have far less confidence in what man can do and far more confidence in what God can do for every believing soul. He longs to have you reach after Him by faith. He longs to have you expect great things from Him.”—Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 146.
“The mere hearing of sermons Sabbath after Sabbath, the reading of the Bible through and through, or the explanation of it verse by verse, will not benefit us or those who hear us, unless we bring the truths of the Bible into our individual experience. The understanding, the will, the affections, must be yielded to the control of the word of God. Then through the work of the Holy Spirit the precepts of the word will become the principles of the life.
“As you ask the Lord to help you, honor your Saviour by believing that you do receive His blessing. All power, all wisdom, are at our command. We have only to ask.”—The Ministry of Healing, p. 514.
Monday
October 7
2. STRENGTHENED BY TRUST
a. How will we be benefited if we regard the wisdom of God as far superior to our own, even in the common things of life? Proverbs 3:3–8.
“ ‘If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.’ Such a promise is of more value than gold or silver. If with a humble heart you seek divine guidance in every trouble and perplexity, His word is pledged that a gracious answer will be given you. And His word can never fail. Heaven and earth may pass away, but His word will never pass away. Trust in the Lord, and you will never be confounded or ashamed. ‘It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.’
“Whatever position in life we may occupy, whatever our business, we must be humble enough to feel our need of help; we must lean implicitly on the teachings of God’s word, acknowledge His providence in all things, and be faithful in pouring out our souls in prayer. Lean to your own understanding, dear brethren, as you make your way through the world, and you will reap sorrow and disappointment. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and He will guide your steps in wisdom, and your interests will be safe for this world and for the next. You need light and knowledge. You will take counsel either of God or your own heart; you will walk in the sparks of your own kindling, or will gather to yourself divine light from the Sun of Righteousness.”—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 427.
b. Why do we need to wean ourselves from heavily leaning on other people for guidance? Jeremiah 17:5–8.
“When perplexities arise, and difficulties confront you, look not for help to humanity. Trust all with God. The practice of telling our difficulties to others only makes us weak, and brings no strength to them. It lays upon them the burden of our spiritual infirmities, which they cannot relieve. We seek the strength of erring, finite man, when we might have the strength of the unerring, infinite God.”—Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 146.
Tuesday
October 8
3. DEVELOPING GREATER STABILITY
a. What condition must we meet before the Lord can answer our petition? James 1:6 (first part); Mark 11:24. Explain one example of how we can determine to develop strength in this regard. 1 Corinthians 6:3–5.
“Few realize the responsibilities resting upon the few ministers who bear the burdens in this cause. The brethren frequently call these men from the work to attend to their little matters, or to settle some church trial, which they can and should attend to themselves. ‘If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering.’ He must be earnest and persevering. If he is irresolute, doubting continually whether the Lord will indeed do as He has promised, he will receive nothing.
“Many look to their ministers to bring the light from God to them, seeming to think this a cheaper way than to be to the trouble of going to God for it themselves. Such lose much. If they would daily follow Christ and make Him their guide and counselor, they might obtain a clear knowledge of His will, and thus be gaining a valuable experience. For want of this very experience, brethren professing the truth walk in the sparks of others’ kindling; they are unacquainted with the Spirit of God and have not a knowledge of His will, and are therefore easily moved from their faith. They are unstable, because they trusted in others to obtain an experience for them.”—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, pp. 643, 644.
b. To what is a professed Christian compared whose faith begins to waver? James 1:6 (last part); Genesis 49:4 (first part). How can we avoid this?
“The faith of most Christians will waver if they constantly neglect to meet together for conference and prayer.”—Ibid., vol. 4, p. 106.
“Take the word of Christ as your assurance. Has He not invited you to come unto Him? Never allow yourself to talk in a hopeless, discouraged way. If you do you will lose much. By looking at appearances and complaining when difficulties and pressure come, you give evidence of a sickly, enfeebled faith. Talk and act as if your faith was invincible.”—Christ’s Object Lessons, pp. 146, 147.
Wednesday
October 9
4. SHUNNING A DIVIDED HEART
a. How can we ensure that our prayer for wisdom will be answered? Luke 18:1; James 1:6, 7.
“[The] petition for wisdom is not to be a meaningless prayer, out of mind as soon as finished. It is a prayer that expresses the strong, earnest desire of the heart, arising from a conscious lack of wisdom to determine the will of God.
“After the prayer is made, if the answer is not realized immediately, do not weary of waiting and become unstable. Waver not. Cling to the promise, ‘Faithful is He that calleth you, who also will do it.’ Like the importunate widow, urge your case, being firm in your purpose. Is the object important and of great consequence to you? It certainly is. Then waver not, for your faith may be tried. If the thing you desire is valuable, it is worthy of a strong, earnest effort. You have the promise; watch and pray. Be steadfast and the prayer will be answered; for is it not God who has promised? If it costs you something to obtain it you will prize it the more when obtained. You are plainly told that if you waver you need not think that you shall receive anything of the Lord. A caution is here given not to become weary, but to rest firmly upon the promise. If you ask, He will give you liberally and upbraid not.
“Here is where many make a mistake. They waver from their purpose, and their faith fails. This is the reason they receive nothing of the Lord, who is our Source of strength. None need go in darkness, stumbling along like a blind man; for the Lord has provided light if they will accept it in His appointed way, and not choose their own way. He requires of all a diligent performance of everyday duties.”—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, pp. 130, 131.
b. Why must we avoid double-mindedness? James 1:8; Psalm 86:11.
“While professing to be Christians, many have the mold of the world upon them, and their affections are not set upon God. They are double-minded, making an attempt to serve God and mammon at the same time. . . . By trying to serve two masters, they are unstable in all their ways, and cannot be depended upon. . . .
“Of what profit is it to say pleasant things, to deplore the work of Satan, and yet at the same time to enter into the fulfillment of all his devices? This is being double minded.”—The SDA Bible Commentary [E. G. White Comments], vol. 7, p. 938.
Thursday
October 10
5. REMEMBERING JACOB
a. How does Jesus illustrate the intensity with which we should offer up our petitions for strength to carry out God’s will? Matthew 11:12.
“ ‘The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.’ This violence takes in the whole heart. To be double minded is to be unstable. Resolution, self-denial and consecrated effort are required for the work of preparation. The understanding and the conscience may be united; but if the will is not set to work, we shall make a failure. Every faculty and feeling must be engaged. Ardor and earnest prayer must take the place of listlessness and indifference. Only by earnest, determined effort and faith in the merits of Christ can we overcome, and gain the kingdom of heaven. Our time for work is short. Christ is soon to come the second time.”—The SDA Bible Commentary [E. G. White Comments], vol. 1, p. 1096.
“With the great truth we have been privileged to receive, we should, and under the Holy Spirit’s power we could, become living channels of light. We could then approach the mercy seat; and seeing the bow of promise, kneel with contrite hearts, and seek the kingdom of heaven with a spiritual violence that would bring its own reward. We would take it by force, as did Jacob. Then our message would be the power of God unto salvation. Our supplications would be full of earnestness, full of a sense of our great need; and we would not be denied. The truth would be expressed by life and character, and by lips touched with the living coal from off God’s altar.
“When this experience is ours, we shall be lifted out of our poor, cheap selves that we have cherished so tenderly. We shall empty our hearts of the corroding power of selfishness, and shall be filled with praise and gratitude to God. We shall magnify the Lord, the God of all grace, who has magnified Christ. And He will reveal His power through us, making us as sharp sickles in the harvest field. God calls upon His people to reveal Him.”—Reflecting Christ, p. 217.
Friday
October 11
PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. Describe some vital keys to gaining greater wisdom from Heaven.
2. What happens when we are satisfied with relying on human knowledge?
3. How can I do my part to free up the ministers to focus on new souls?
4. In what areas of life might I be more double-minded than I realize?
5. Explain the power and relevance of Jacob’s wrestling for the last days.