Happiest Day of the Week,
January 30
The Sabbath of God
The Sabbath of God
God’s love has set a limit to the demands of toil. Over the Sabbath He places His merciful hand. In His own day He preserves for the family opportunity for communion with Him, with nature, and with one another.128Education, 251.
The Sabbath and the family were alike instituted in Eden, and in God’s purpose they are indissolubly linked together. On this day more than on any other, it is possible for us to live the life of Eden. It was God’s plan for the members of the family to be associated in work and study, in worship and recreation.129Education, 250, 251.
God’s holy rest day was made for man, and acts of mercy are in perfect harmony with its intent.130The Desire of Ages, 207.
To relieve the afflicted, to comfort the sorrowing, is a labor of love that does honor to God’s holy day.131Redemption: or the Teachings of Christ, the Anointed One, 46.
Since the Sabbath is the memorial of creative power, it is the day above all others when we should acquaint ourselves with God through His works.132Education, 251.
During a portion of the day, all should have an opportunity to be out of doors. How can children receive a more correct knowledge of God ... than in spending a portion of their time out of doors, not in play, but in company with their parents? Let their young minds be associated with God in the beautiful scenery of nature.... As they view the beautiful things which He has created for the happiness of man, they will be led to regard Him as a tender, loving Father.... As the character of God puts on the aspect of love, benevolence, beauty, and attraction, they are drawn to love Him.133Testimonies for the Church 2:583, 584.
The Sabbath—oh!—make it the sweetest, the most blessed day of the whole week.134Child Guidance, 532.
God’s love has set a limit to the demands of toil. Over the Sabbath He places His merciful hand. In His own day He preserves for the family opportunity for communion with Him, with nature, and with one another.128
Education, 251.
The Sabbath and the family were alike instituted in Eden, and in God’s purpose they are indissolubly linked together. On this day more than on any other, it is possible for us to live the life of Eden. It was God’s plan for the members of the family to be associated in work and study, in worship and recreation.129
Education, 250, 251.
God’s holy rest day was made for man, and acts of mercy are in perfect harmony with its intent.130
The Desire of Ages, 207.
To relieve the afflicted, to comfort the sorrowing, is a labor of love that does honor to God’s holy day.131
Redemption: or the Teachings of Christ, the Anointed One, 46.
Since the Sabbath is the memorial of creative power, it is the day above all others when we should acquaint ourselves with God through His works.132
Education, 251.
During a portion of the day, all should have an opportunity to be out of doors. How can children receive a more correct knowledge of God ... than in spending a portion of their time out of doors, not in play, but in company with their parents? Let their young minds be associated with God in the beautiful scenery of nature.... As they view the beautiful things which He has created for the happiness of man, they will be led to regard Him as a tender, loving Father.... As the character of God puts on the aspect of love, benevolence, beauty, and attraction, they are drawn to love Him.133
Testimonies for the Church 2:583, 584.
The Sabbath—oh!—make it the sweetest, the most blessed day of the whole week.134
Child Guidance, 532.
Encircled With His Love, January 31
And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 5:2, RSV.
The world that Satan has claimed and has ruled over with cruel tyranny, the Son of God has, by one vast achievement, encircled in His love and connected again with the throne of Jehovah. Cherubim and seraphim, and the unnumbered hosts of all the unfallen worlds, sang anthems of praise to God and the Lamb when this triumph was assured. They rejoiced that the way of salvation had been opened to the fallen race and that the earth would be redeemed from the curse of sin. How much more should those rejoice who are the objects of such amazing love!
How can we ever be in doubt and uncertainty, and feel that we are orphans? It was in behalf of those who had transgressed the law that Jesus took upon Him human nature; He became like unto us, that we might have everlasting peace and assurance....
The very first step in approaching God is to know and believe the love that He has to us (1 John 4:16); for it is through the drawing of His love that we are led to come to Him.
The perception of God’s love works the renunciation of selfishness. In calling God our Father, we recognize all His children as our brethren. We are all a part of the great web of humanity, all members of one family. In our petitions we are to include our neighbors as well as ourselves. No one prays aright who seeks a blessing for himself alone.
The infinite God, said Jesus, makes it your privilege to approach Him by the name of Father. Understand all that this implies. No earthly parents ever pleaded so earnestly with an erring child as He who made you pleads with the transgressor. No human, loving interest ever followed the impenitent with such tender invitations. God dwells in every abode; He hears every word that is spoken, listens to every prayer that is offered, tastes the sorrows and disappointments of every soul, regards the treatment that is given to father, mother, sister, friend, and neighbor. He cares for our necessities, and His love and mercy and grace are continually flowing to satisfy our need.
But if you call God your Father you acknowledge yourselves His children, to be guided by His wisdom and to be obedient in all things, knowing that His love is changeless. You will accept His plan for your life. As children of God, you will hold His honor, His character, His family, His work, as the objects of your highest interest. It will be your joy to recognize and honor your relation to your Father and to every member of His family. You will rejoice to do any act, however humble, that will tend to His glory or to the well-being of your kindred (Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, 104-106).