The Application by Jos. Clarke

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 9, 1875

The Application.

By Jos. Clarke

THAT is it. God wants us to make the application of every lesson to ourselves. We read of God’s dealings with nations and individuals in the past, and how he has warned, entreated, and instructed them. We also learn how he invited and encouraged his own peculiar people, and finally, how he brought chastisement upon them when they rebelled against him, bringing in upon them evils very great and hard to bear, until they returned to him with bitter cries of repentance and sorrow for their sins. Then he pardoned them, and made their enemies yield, while his people, in triumph, resumed their noble position among the nations of the earth. And so they would prosper, until wealth and the pride of life caused a relapse, and again they forgot God, and severe discipline brought them back to the fold.

Thus it was with Israel. At one time they wandered away from God until he left them to their own ways, and they fell into trouble; then they sought him again, and for years they were faithful, until they again relapsed into sin.

Now, we are to learn from God’s dealings with men in the past, a sad but wholesome lesson. We are creatures of change, and unless we hold on to God with a strong grasp, we may drift anywhere upon the vast ocean of error, until we are lost. We are to-day enjoying the favor of God; but unless we hold on by faith our future may be overcast with storms. While we remain faithful, we are safe. While we follow the pillar of fire, our homes will be lighted up and defended.

Then, too, in the daily vocations of life, we shall, if our eyes are open, often see and hear that which, if meditated upon, will instruct and warn. The news of the day brings to our attention facts of a nature calculated to startle us from our sleep, and to arouse our souls to action.

The world is asleep in its sins. Great national sins, as well as those of private individuals, call for vengeance from Heaven. Shall we be prepared for the coming storm?

JOS. CLARKE.