January 9–15

This weekly feature is dedicated to Adventists who are looking for biblical insights into the topics discussed in the Sabbath School lesson quarterly. We post articles which address each lesson as presented in the Sabbath School Bible Study Guide, including biblical commentary on them. We hope you find this material helpful and that you will come to know Jesus and His revelation of Himself in His word in profound biblical ways.

 

Lesson 3: “When Your World Is Falling Apart”

Like last week’s lesson, this week’s is mostly just a history lesson. While it is important to understand history, there is so much of deep theological importance that is skipped over, or only superficially noted.

There are a few statements made in passing that I think need addressing.

For instance, consider this statement and question:

“When we read about what Ahaz was like, it is understandable why he reacted to danger as he did. What lesson is here for us on a personal level? If we’re not obeying the Lord now, what makes us think we’ll have the faith to trust Him when real trials come? (See James 2:22; Jer. 12:5.)”

The verse from Jeremiah makes no sense in this context, and the James 2 verse is little better.

James is making the point that if the “works” do not follow a professed faith, it brings that faith into question as true faith will be seen in the life (works).

But somehow, the lesson author sees the works as an integral part of having or of developing faith, not the result of that faith. That much is clear from the question in the second half of the above quote:

“If we’re not obeying the Lord now, what makes us think we’ll have the faith to trust Him when real trials come?”

It is not our works—our “obeying”—that makes faith grow. It is trusting Him now when things are easy that makes the faith grow to the point that we continue trusting Him when things get rough. And, as we trust God, our faith grows as we see His continued protection, even in the midst of terrible trials. And that is what is meant by the last part of Isaiah 7:9. If he did not trust God with what God already told him through the prophets, how could he stand firm when things got rough?

Matthew Henry’s commentary explains it well:

“Note, The grace of faith is absolutely necessary to the quieting and composing of the mind in the midst of all the tosses of this present time, 2 Chr. 20:20 .” 

The author asks an interesting question at the end of Monday’s lesson:

Why are faith and belief so important in order to be “established”? Established in what? How does this principle apply in the life of the Christian?

As Matthew Henry pointed out, our peace in the face of trials in this life comes out of our faith. In fact, peace is one of the nine fruits of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5. But notice that they are the fruit—the result—not the cause. Yes, we will make every effort to obey God, but that obedience cannot lead to faith; it is only possible through the leading of the Holy Spirit who is in us and sealed us the moment we believe.

So, how are we saved in the first place?

“Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Acts 2:21 and Romans 10:13).

To the Philippian jailer “They said, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household’” (Acts 16:31).

Again, Paul writes, “that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;” (Romans 10:9).

And in the words of Jesus:  “I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture” (John 10:9).

We come through Jesus, specifically by faith in Him, and the pasture we will find is one of peace even in turmoil. After that, yes; we will try to obey but again, but that obedience is a result of our faith, not the cause of it.

In the questions at the end of the week, there is a rather odd question:

“When you are in the process of making a decision, is it appropriate to ask God for a sign? What dangers are possibly inherent in doing something like that?”

I would repl,y “when is it NOT appropriate?” God loves for His children to call on Him and to ask Him to show them the way (James 1:5). He can, and does, answer requests like that in several ways:

1. No apparent answer—a silence which could mean we are to wait and not proceed yet.
2. The confirmation from other people. Someone who has no knowledge of your question may be prompted by God to speak to you about it. Not only are they obeying the prompting of God but you can know that it is from God who alone knows your thoughts. 
3. You can also find the answer and the guidance you need as you read the Word. God can direct you to the very verses you need; or you can see the answer in something you read that never occurred to you before as you read that very same passage.

There is an “inherent danger” as the lesson calls it, if you are not sealed by the Holy Spirit and walking in Him. If you are just a Christian in name only, but not dwelling in the Spirit, you can never know the source of the apparent signs you see. But God will never lead you astray. 

No, we won’t always be right, and we can choose to follow our own choices and call our decisions the revelation of God. But even if we follow an apparent sign in error, God will still hold us and bring us back, and from that experience we can learn to trust His discipline and love even more. In these situations we learn to trust.

At the end of Thursday’s lesson there is another odd question:

“Even though we have the promise that ‘God is with us,’ what difference does that make if we still face terrible trials and suffering? What good does the knowledge of His presence, then, do for us?”

I’m not sure if the author is asking what difference it makes since we still have problems, or if he is asking an honest question to make us think about God’s continual presence and protection.

If it is the first, it shows a rather cynical view of God, as if the presence of troubles must mean that He is not really with us. But Jesus said that in this world we will have tribulation (John 16:33), and it is apparent that the closer our walk with Him, the more the enemy will try to pile onto us in an effort to shake our faith.

But, if the author meant it in the second way, it is a very good question that can lead to thoughtful trust in God. As David said, “though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for You are with me”. Hopefully that is the point of this question from the lesson. †