Wisdom in Working by Editor

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 26, 1903

Wisdom in Working

By Editor

Editorial

Wisdom in Working

WHEN Jesus sent forth his twelve disciples, he gave them full instruction concerning their work, and then he said, “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.” And the example of Jesus himself is the best interpretation of the meaning of his words. He went about among men with a message of salvation from heaven, but divine wisdom guided him in all his efforts to reach men with that message. He often refused to answer the caviling questions of the Pharisees, but he never repelled the humblest seeker after the light of life. More than this, he sought every opportunity to satisfy any longing soul, and to awaken the desire for salvation from sin in those who were almost lost in despair; but that wisdom, of which he was the personality, always revealed itself in his method of dealing with different ones. Upon Nicodemus, the formalist, he pressed the necessity of the new life from above. His ability to read her past life of sin convicted the woman at the well, so that she said, “Come, see a man, who told me all things that ever I did: can this be the Christ?” In his teaching among the people he was so wise that while enlightening them concerning himself and his work, he yet gave the watchful Pharisees no occasion to catch him in his words. This same Jesus has been made wisdom unto us; and when he dwells within us, he can reveal the same wisdom in working in our flesh that was revealed in his own flesh. The wise worker wins souls. He knows when to speak and when to keep silent, and his words have an influence. “If any of you lacketh wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all liberally and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” Much is lost in our work through a lack of this wisdom. Let us learn of him who is meek and lowly in heart.

Walking With God

AMONG the examples of faith recorded in the eleventh chapter of Hebrews we find the case of Enoch. Of him it is said, “By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and he was not found, because God translated him: for he hath had witness borne to him that before his translation he had been well-pleasing unto God.” The account as given in Genesis is in these simple words: “And Enoch walked with God; and he was not; for God took him.” Enoch’s faith in God took away from him all that spirit of self-exaltation which leads one to lift up himself above God, and with the true spirit of humility he walked with God. This experience of communion with heaven prepared him to be a blessing to others. What he received in seeking the fellowship of God in secret he imparted afterward to the multitude. Thus the blessing which he sought he shared with the people. Enoch’s life of walking with God in the time just before the destruction of the world by a flood of water—a time of great wickedness—is both an example and an encouragement to us who live in this time of wickedness just before the destruction of the world by fire. Even though iniquity abounds, and the love of many waxes cold, still it is our privilege to walk with God. The same loving Father invites us to the same closeness of communion with him that we may be ministers of his grace to others.

“O, let me walk with thee, my God, As Enoch walked in days of old; Place thou my trembling hand in thine, And sweet communion with me hold; E’en though the path I may not see, Yet, Jesus, let me walk with thee.”