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God’s Care for His People

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 26, 1915

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 92, No. 42.

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God’s Care for His People

By S. N. HASKELL

S. N. HASKELL
A CAREFUL student of the Bible will observe that in each time of crisis in the history of the church, God has had a prophet, a mouthpiece, through whom he could instruct and direct his people, and each prophet possessed those characteristics that fitted him for the work which God placed in his hands to do.
When the time came for Israel to go out of Egypt, Moses was raised up to deliver God’s special instruction to his people, that they might escape the pitfalls of the enemy and enter the Promised Land. When Jezebel had introduced sun worship, with its train of evils, into Israel, Elijah was raised up to stand in the gap and deliver God’s direct messages to his people, that they might be saved from the delusions of the devil.
When the sins of Judah had become so great that their enemies were surrounding them on every side, God through his faithful prophet, Jeremiah, sent them counsel and instruction, which, if they had received it, would have delivered them from their enemies; “but they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the Lord arose against his people, till there was no remedy.” 2 Chron. 36: 16. Israel went into Babylonian captivity because they would not accept the messages sent direct from the Lord through his prophet. When Israel came out of Babylonian captivity, the Lord again spoke directly to them through Haggai and Zechariah.
It was in perfect accord with God’s dealings through all the ages that, when the remnant church was being gathered out and prepared to meet the Lord, God should place a prophet in the church, through whom he could send direct counsel and instruction to his people. None of the crises in the past can compare with the crisis during the last generation.
As the church approaches her final deliverance, Satan works with greater power, for he knows that he has but a short time. “For six thousand years that master mind that once was highest among the angels of God, has been wholly bent to the work of deception and ruin. And all the depths of satanic skill and subtlety acquired, all the cruelty developed during these struggles of ages, will be brought to bear against God’s people in the final conflict.”
In each crisis during the past ages the Lord raised up a leading prophet who faithfully delivered the special instruction which God gave to meet attacks of the enemy in that particular period. Those who heeded the instruction given by the prophet were victors in the conflict. Think you that he would choose an inferior mouthpiece through whom to instruct the remnant church? On the other hand, as it is the greatest crisis of all ages, we should naturally expect that the mouthpiece God would use for this period would be inferior to none in the ages past.
Through Moses the Lord gave Israel instruction that would lead them into the Promised Land; but Moses died as they neared the borders of Canaan. There were many perplexing battles to fight, and much wisdom was needed in establishing Israel in the land, after the godly seer was laid to rest; but instruction had been given, which, if heeded, would enable them to gain the victory in every conflict.
Joshua’s success depended upon his following the instruction which had been given through Moses. The Lord said to him, “Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.” All who faithfully heeded the instruction given by the Lord through Moses had good success. Joshua 1: 1-9.
It was the message given through Moses that contained the power, and not Moses. Moses was the instrument used by the Lord in giving his people all the instruction needed to take them safely over that period of danger and perplexity. We are nearing the end of this world’s history, and Sister White has been laid to rest. She is dead; but the instruction God gave her to guide his people through the perils of the last days is not dead.
When the Saviour was on earth, the minds of his followers were often directed to his person rather than to the words which he spoke. He said, “It is expedient for you that I go away.” When he was taken from them, they then gave more heed to the instruction which he had given. God has laid his tried and faithful messenger to rest, that the attention of his people may be taken from the instrument to the work accomplished by the instrument.
Many were constantly looking for some new revelation, and failed to study prayerfully the abundance of instruction already given. In the nine volumes of “Testimonies for the Church,” there is instruction for every emergency that may arise. The indexes in the back of the volumes group the different subjects so that one can readily find information and instruction on any subject treated.
“Early Writings” and “The Great Controversy” portray plainly the perils and conflicts of the last days, and give very definite instruction, which, if heeded, will enable God’s people to be victors in every conflict.
“The Desire of Ages,” “Steps to Christ,” and in fact all the writings of the servant of the Lord, are full of spiritual food which enables those who feed upon it to be more than conquerors in the conflicts of life.
As in the days of Isaiah, so at the present time, the Lord can truly say: “Judge, I pray you, betwixt me and my vineyard. What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it?” May the Lord help us individually to form characters in accord with his Holy Word, to walk in the counsel given us, and to enter finally the inheritance prepared for his people.