MEMORY VERSE: ‘And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great Prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.’ Daniel 12:1.
LESSON AIM: Even one of the names of God is a question. To compare the attributes of God with the alternative gods that people worship.
‘He appeals to all, “To whom then, will ye liken Me, or shall I be equal, saith the Holy One?” It is perfectly plain then, that God has made no revelation of Himself, as to His exact or even relative form or size or shape. Yet He has revealed Himself. Wherein, then? In character. He began it by revealing Himself, as “I AM.” That is existence. But existence only is not enough. Therefore, He extended His revelation to “I AM THAT I AM,” I am that which I am; I am what I am. This is a revelation of both existence and character. Next He enlarged this revelation by proclaiming His name. And His name is the expression of what He is. And in that, He said that His name is “the Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin.” That is again existence and character, and that only.’ A. T. Jones: The Medical Missionary, March 1903.
1. Can other gods speak to us? Psalm 115:3-7.
NOTE: ‘What has one of these idols ever done that they should be thus worshipped and feared? Not one thing. They are but silver or gold, wood or stones or brass or clay made into these shapes. Can a piece of stone or clay hear you when you speak to it? Can it feel when you touch it? Does it know when you are in trouble? Has it power to come and help you? No; and neither can these false gods. “They have mouths, but they speak not.”’ E. J. Waggoner: Present Truth, May 18, 1893.
2. Does God speak to us? Isaiah 30:21.
NOTE: ‘The Bible is God’s voice speaking to us, just as surely as if we could hear it with our ears. If we realised this, with what awe we would open God’s Word and with what earnestness we would search its precepts. The reading and contemplation of the Scriptures would be regarded as an audience with the Infinite One.’ A Call to Stand Apart, page 69.
‘Whatever path God chooses for us, whatever way He ordains for our feet, that is the only path of safety. We are daily to cherish a spirit of childlike submission, and pray that our eyes may be anointed with the heavenly eye-salve in order that we may discern the indications of the divine will, lest we become confused in our ideas, because our will seems to be all-controlling. With the eye of faith, with childlike submission as obedient children, we must look to God, to follow His guidance, and difficulties will clear away. The promise is, “I will instruct thee and teach thee: I will guide thee with mine eye” (Psalm 32:8).’ Our Father Cares, page 134.