11. Waiting in the Crucible - September 3-9

Sabbath afternoon

Prayer Thought

Nothing but divine power can regenerate the human heart and imbue souls with the love of Christ, which will ever manifest itself with love for those for whom He died. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. When a man is converted to God, a new moral taste is supplied, a new motive power is given, and he loves the things that God loves. . . . Love, joy, peace, and inexpressible gratitude will pervade the soul, and the language of him who is blessed will be, "Thy gentleness hath made me great" (Psalm 18:35). {AG 302.2}

But those who are waiting to behold a magical change in their characters without determined effort on their part to overcome sin, will be disappointed. We have no reason to fear while looking to Jesus, no reason to doubt but that He is able to save to the uttermost all that come unto Him; but we may constantly fear lest our old nature will again obtain the supremacy, that the enemy shall devise some snare whereby we shall again become his captives. We are to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God that worketh in you to will and to do of His good pleasure. . . . {AG 302.3}

Memory Text

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith.." {Galatians 5:22}

Please visit this link for the Memory Verses Songs {click or copy-paste to your browser} https://youtu.be/OXAH7XR4OkY

This week's SS Lesson will gaze into the circumstances where patience is necessary to acquire a resilient life that enables anyone to face the crucible while waiting for its completion. The life that is shaped, hewn, and molded in the crucible will be a delight in the Lord. This lesson also includes some principles which had been drawn from the biblical examples of how patience is being learned and how to relate the waiting in the crucible of life.

Outline of the Study

What did God say about patiently waiting?

Sunday: The God of Patience (Patience and Hope) - Rom. 15:4, 5; Ps. 37:7; 27:14; Rom. 5:3-5

Monday: In God’s Time (Waiting in the Crucible) - Rom. 5:6; Gal. 4:4; Dan. 9:24-27

Biblical Examples:

Tuesday: David: An Object Lesson in Waiting (Patiently Waiting) - 1Sam. 16:1-13; 1Sam. 16; 17; 1Sam 23:17; 24:5-7, 20; 26:1-25

Wednesday: Elijah: The Problem of Rushing (Impatience: Elijah) - 1Kings 18; 19:1-9; Gen. 16:1-3; Num. 20:10-12; Judges 14:1-3; Mat. 20:20. 21; Luke 9:52-56; Acts 9:1

Thursday: Learning to Take Delight in the Lord (Learning to Wait Patiently) - Ps. 37:1-11

Friday: The Further Study and Meditation

What did God say about patiently waiting?

We must wait patiently and not fail or be discouraged, for God has His plans all arranged. While we are burdened and distressed, but waiting in patient submission, our invisible Helper will be doing the work we do not see, and will bring to pass in His providence events which will either work reformations or will separate these halfhearted, world-loving members from the believers. The Lord knows about every case and how to deal with each. Our wisdom is limited to a point, while infinite wisdom comprehends the end from the beginning. Our whole term of probation is very brief. A short work will be done in the earth. God's own tests will come; His proving will be sharp and decisive. Let every soul humble himself before God and prepare for what is awaiting us. {SHM 444.1}

Sunday: The God of Patience (Patience and Hope) - Rom. 15:4, 5; Ps. 37:7; 27:14; Rom. 5:3-5

““Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus,” (Romans 15:5)

Divine Power Transforming Human Nature

The difference between a good person and a wicked person is not always caused by natural goodness of disposition. Goodness is the result of divine power transforming human nature. By believing in Christ, the fallen race that He has redeemed may obtain that faith that works by love and purifies the soul from all defilement. Then Christlike attributes appear, for by beholding Christ people become changed into the same image. . . {CTr 49.3}

Trials and Persecution steps to Bring about Rest and Reward

The history of the early church testified to the fulfillment of the Saviour’s words. The powers of earth and hell arrayed themselves against Christ in the person of His followers. . . . Christians were stripped of their possessions and driven from their homes. . . . Great numbers sealed their testimony with their blood. . . . {CTr 319.3}

Under the fiercest persecution these witnesses for Jesus kept their faith unsullied. . . . With words of faith, patience, and hope they encouraged one another to endure privation and distress. The loss of every earthly blessing could not force them to renounce their belief in Christ. Trials and persecutions were but steps bringing them nearer their rest and their reward. . . . {CTr 319.4}

A Worthless Form Apart From Christ

It is the grace of Christ that gives life to the soul. Apart from Christ, baptism, like any other service, is a worthless form. "He that believeth not the Son shall not see life."--The Desire of Ages, p. 181. (1898) {Ev 318.3}

Conversion, Not Just Baptism.--Salvation is not to be baptized, not to have our names upon the church books, not to preach the truth. But it is a living union with Jesus Christ to be renewed in heart, doing the works of Christ in faith and labor of love, in patience, meekness, and hope. Every soul united to Christ will be a living missionary to all around him. --Letter 55, 1886. {Ev 319.1}

Consider the Following

— Patience is one of God’s attributes. His patience is not indifference, impotence, or indecision. God is patient because of His love for us. He wants to save as many people as possible (2 Peter 3:9, 15).

— He’s given us His Word to help us being patient even in the hardest times. This patience is closely related to hope (Romans 15:4).

— We are being patient when we fully trust God and put our lives in His hands. We can trust that He will do the best for us at the perfect moment.

Personal Contact Brings Light, Hope, and Power

Dear young friends, One greater than any human guide calls upon you to follow Him over the heights of patience and self-sacrifice. The path is not an easy one. . . . All the way along, Satan has prepared pitfalls for the feet of the unwary. But following our Guide, we may walk with perfect security; for the path is consecrated by His footsteps. It may be steep and rugged, but He has traveled it; His feet have pressed down the thorns to make the way easier for us. Every burden we are called upon to bear, He Himself has borne. Personal contact with Him brings light and hope and power. Of those who follow Him, He says, "They shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand." John 10:28. {FLB 249.3}

Monday: In God’s Time (Waiting in the Crucible) - Rom. 5:6; Gal. 4:4; Dan. 9:24-27

““But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law,” (Galatians 4:4)

Fulfillment of the Promise is Sure

The Saviour’s coming was foretold in Eden. When Adam and Eve first heard the promise, they looked for its speedy fulfillment. They joyfully welcomed their firstborn son, hoping that he might be the Deliverer. But the fulfillment of the promise tarried. Those who first received it died without the sight. From the days of Enoch the promise was repeated through patriarchs and prophets, keeping alive the hope of His appearing, and yet He came not. The prophecy of Daniel revealed the time of His advent, but not all rightly interpreted the message. . . . The hand of the oppressor was heavy upon Israel, and many were ready to exclaim, “The days are prolonged, and every vision faileth.” {CTr 34.2}

Great and Intelligent Men Failed to Interpret God's Character

The most learned men in the days of Christ—philosophers, legislators, priests, in all their pride and superiority—could not interpret God’s character. . . . When, in the fullness of time, Christ came to our world, it was darkened and marred by the curse of apostasy and spiritual wickedness. The Jews had wrapped themselves about with the dark mantle of unbelief. They kept not the commandments of God. . . . {CTr 226.2}

The fullness of Time and God's Providential Guidelines

"When the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son." Providence had directed the movements of nations, and the tide of human impulse and influence, until the world was ripe for the coming of the Deliverer. The nations were united under one government. One language was widely spoken, and was everywhere recognized as the language of literature. From all lands the Jews of the dispersion gathered to Jerusalem to the annual feasts. As these returned to the places of their sojourn, they could spread throughout the world the tidings of the Messiah's coming. {DA 32.2}

Consider the Following

— We can be sure that God will do the best thing for us at the perfect moment. But how can we know when is the perfect moment for God?

— God has His own timeline (Galatians 4:4) Does God have a timeline to take me out of the crucible? Sure! Meanwhile, how does the waiting help me?

(1) It helps me to rely on God.

(2) It helps me to have a clearer picture of myself.

(3) It makes me persistent.

(4) My faith and trust are developed.

(5) God has time to make everything work together.

(6) It helps me to live by faith.

God's Own Timetable

The fullness of the time had come. Humanity, becoming more degraded through ages of transgression, called for the coming of the Redeemer. Satan had been working to make the gulf deep and impassable between earth and heaven. By his falsehoods he had emboldened men in sin. It was his purpose to wear out the forbearance of God, and to extinguish His love for man, so that He would abandon the world to satanic jurisdiction. {DA 34.4}

Biblical Examples:

Tuesday: David: An Object Lesson in Waiting (Patiently Waiting) - 1Sam. 16:1-13; 1Sam. 16; 17; 1Sam 23:17; 24:5-7, 20; 26:1-25

““The Lord forbid that I should stretch out my hand against the Lord’s anointed.” (1 Samuel 26:11)

David's Honorable Character Revealed

Hidden by the deep shadows of the hills, David and his attendant entered the encampment of the enemy. As they sought to ascertain the exact number of their foes, they came upon Saul sleeping, his spear stuck in the ground, and a cruse of water at his head. Beside him lay Abner, his chief commander, and all around them were the soldiers, locked in slumber. Abishai raised his spear, and said to David, "God hath delivered thine enemy into thine hand this day: now therefore let me smite him, I pray thee, with the spear even to the earth at once, and I will not smite him the second time." He waited for the word of permission; but there fell upon his ear the whispered words: "Destroy him not: for who can stretch forth his hand against the Lord's anointed, and be guiltless? . . . As the Lord liveth, the Lord shall smite him; or his day shall come to die; or he shall descend into battle, and perish. The Lord forbid that I should stretch forth mine hand against the Lord's anointed: but, I pray thee, take thou now the spear that is at his bolster, and the cruse of water, and let us go. So David took the spear and the cruse of water from Saul's bolster; and they gat them away, and no man saw it, nor knew it, neither awaked: for they were all asleep; because a deep sleep from the Lord was fallen upon them." How easily the Lord can weaken the strongest, remove prudence from the wisest, and baffle the skill of the most watchful! {PP 668.3}

David's Heart was more Fully Set to do God's Will

David was growing in favor with God and man. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he now set his heart more fully to do the will of God than ever before. He had new themes for thought. He had been in the court of the king and had seen the responsibilities of royalty. He had discovered some of the temptations that beset the soul of Saul and had penetrated some of the mysteries in the character and dealings of Israel’s first king. He had seen the glory of royalty shadowed with a dark cloud of sorrow, and he knew that the household of Saul, in their private life, were far from happy. All these things served to bring troubled thoughts to him who had been anointed to be king over Israel. But while he was absorbed in deep meditation, and harassed by thoughts of anxiety, he turned to his harp, and called forth strains that elevated his mind to the Author of every good, and the dark clouds that seemed to shadow the horizon of the future were dispelled. {OFC 181.2}

Consider the Following

— David was anointed as king of Israel when he was very young. However, the journey to the throne was long and harsh.

— David decided not to take what God hadn’t given to him yet. He waited for God’s moment, although he had to go through challenging times and his life was in danger.

Wednesday: Elijah: The Problem of Rushing (Impatience: Elijah) - 1Kings 18; 19:1-9; Gen. 16:1-3; Num. 20:10-12; Judges 14:1-3; Mat. 20:20. 21; Luke 9:52-56; Acts 9:1

And when he saw [that], he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beersheba, which [belongeth] to Judah, and left his servant there. (1 Kings 19:3)

Warning Against Yielding into Human Weaknesses and Errors

There is warning also in noting the results that have followed upon even once yielding to human weakness and error, the fruit of the letting go of faith. {Ed 150.4}

By one failure of his faith, Elijah cut short his lifework. Heavy was the burden that he had borne in behalf of Israel; faithful had been his warnings against the national idolatry; and deep was his solicitude as during three years and a half of famine he watched and waited for some token of repentance. Alone he stood for God upon Mount Carmel. Through the power of faith, idolatry was cast down, and the blessed rain testified to the showers of blessing waiting to be poured upon Israel. Then in his weariness and weakness he fled before the threats of Jezebel and alone in the desert prayed that he might die. His faith had failed. The work he had begun he was not to complete. God bade him anoint another to be prophet in his stead. {Ed 151.1}

But God had marked the heart service of His servant. Elijah was not to perish in discouragement and solitude in the wilderness. Not for him the descent to the tomb, but the ascent with God's angels to the presence of His glory. {Ed 151.2}

These life records declare what every human being will one day understand--that sin can bring only shame and loss; that unbelief means failure; but that God's mercy reaches to the deepest depths; that faith lifts up the repenting soul to share the adoption of the sons of God. {Ed 151.3}

Impatience brings Distress and Weariness

Elijah should have trusted in God, who had warned him when to flee and where to find an asylum from the hatred of Jezebel, secure from the diligent search of Ahab. The Lord had not warned him at this time to flee. He had not waited for the Lord to speak to him. He moved rashly. Had he waited with faith and patience, God would have shielded His servant and would have given him another signal victory in Israel by sending His judgments upon Jezebel. {3T 290.1}

Weary and prostrate, Elijah sits down to rest. He is discouraged and feels like murmuring. He says. "Now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers." He feels that life is no more desirable. He expected after the signal display of God's power in the presence of Israel that they would be true and faithful to God. He expected that Jezebel would no longer have influence over the mind of Ahab and that there would be a general revolution in the kingdom of Israel. And when the threatening message from Jezebel was delivered to him, he forgot that God was the same all-powerful and pitiful God that He was when he prayed to Him for fire from heaven, and it came, and for rain, and it came. God had granted every request; yet Elijah is a fugitive far from the homes of men, and he wishes never to look upon man again. {3T 290.2}

Consider the Following

— Elijah had just seen God’s powerful hand making fire and torrential rains come down from heaven. However, he was afraid of Jezebel’s threat.

— If Elijah had waited for God to act instead of running away, he would’ve made a greater reformation than the one he did later (Prophets and Kings, cp. 13, p. 167).

— Elijah wasn’t the only impatient. Remember how Sarah or Moses didn’t want to wait, and the consequences of that (Genesis 16:1-3; Numbers 20:10-12).

Thursday: Learning to Take Delight in the Lord (Learning to Wait Patiently) - Ps. 37:1-11

“Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.” (Psalm 37:5)

Divine Credentials

Cultivate restfulness, and commit the keeping of your souls unto God as unto a faithful Creator. He will keep that which is committed to His trust. He is not pleased to have us cover His altar with our tears and complaints. You have enough to praise God for already, if you do not see another soul converted. But the good work will go on if you will only go forward, and not be trying to adjust everything to your own ideas. Let the peace of God rule in your hearts, and be ye thankful. Let the Lord have room to work. Do not block His way. He can and will work if we will let Him.--Testimonies, vol. 9, p. 136. {ChS 243.2}

Divine Guidance

"The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness." As a student, you must learn to see with your brain as well as your eyes. You must educate your judgment so that it shall not be feeble and inefficient. You must pray for guidance, and commit your way unto the Lord. You must close your heart against all foolishness and sin, and open it to every heavenly influence. You must make the most of your time and opportunities, in order to develop a symmetrical character. Fun and folly and indolence cannot be entertained as your guests, if you copy the pattern, Christ Jesus, and become daily more intelligent as to what you shall do to be saved. {FE 302.1}

Consider the Following

Psalm 37 is a great lesson on how to patiently wait for God to act.

Maybe the weirdest piece of advice is to delight yourself in God (v. 3). This involves trusting Him. Nothing can take our peace away because God is here, and He’s acting. We praise Him because nobody can overcome Him.

PRAY FOR GOD’S GUIDANCE

You must educate your judgment so that it shall not be feeble and inefficient. You must pray for guidance, and commit your way unto the Lord. You must close your heart against all foolishness and sin, and open it to every heavenly influence. You must make the most of your time and opportunities, in order to develop a symmetrical character.—(Fundamentals of Christian Education, 302.) {Pr 222.2}

Friday: The Further Study and Meditation

My brother, bow in submission before Him who has brought life and immortality to light. Let your will and the will of Christ be one. Talk this, pray this, live this. God's word to us is, "Go forward," and this word we are to obey, though we shall meet with obstacles seemingly as insurmountable as the Red Sea. Let us trust the Lord God of heaven to open the way before His people. "Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass" (Psalm 37:5). This patience of the soul is the rest of faith. The Lord will bless His tried, faithful people. He will not leave them to become confused. {UL 69.3}

In the last great day every word, every act, will be subjected to the crucial test of the Judge of all the earth. . . . The Lord calls for heartfelt repentance from those who claim to be His people. Self-indulgence is to find no place in their lives. The church of God is to be jealously guarded from every phase of dishonesty, every taint of corruption. The love of Christ is directly opposed to all avarice, all pride, all pretense. The Lord calls for humble, contrite hearts. He will work by His Holy Spirit upon all who will be worked, all who love Him and keep His commandments. And they will make the presence and power of God so manifestly to appear that the enemies of the truth will be compelled to say that God and His angels are indeed the friends and helpers of those who serve Him. {UL 69.4}

Questions to Ponder

1. What lessons could we learn about patiently waiting for the fulfillment of our desires?

2. In what way does our character being tested which will be effective in waiting for God's interventions? (Note: Patience, surrender, and submission)

3. In Monday's Lesson, how does it relate to our salvation and the assurance that every promise has its God's timeframe? Are we delaying His coming when we do something wrong?

4. How does David's experience with Saul relates to our lives today? Have we experienced rejection and criticism that seems to kill us spiritually? How do we react to them?

5. Does Elijah's experience in turning away for his life gives us lessons to trust in the Lord instead? Or we also do the same, distrusting God in times of trouble?

6. What principles can we glean from the two Biblical examples above (David and Elijah)? How could this be exemplified in our lives? Is it attainable in this life?

7. In the inspiration above (UL 69.3, 4), What are the three things suggested to "Go Forward"? How is it possible for us not to be so confused with the crucibles in life? What are the things to be subjected to Him who is the Author and Finisher of our faith?

From the Pen of Inspiration

“I cannot read the purpose of God in my affliction, but He knows what is best, and I will commit my soul, body, and spirit to Him as unto my faithful Creator. ‘For I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day’ (2 Timothy 1:12). If we educated and trained our souls to have more faith, more love, greater patience, and a more perfect trust in our heavenly Father, I know we would have more peace and happiness day by day as we pass through the conflicts of this life.” E. G. W. (Selected Messages, book 2, cp. 25, p. 242)

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