Thoughtful Hour

1
Thoughtful Hour
2
THOUGHTS ON GETHSEMENE
3
It would be well for us to spend a thoughtful
hour each day in contemplation of the life of
Christ. We should take it point by point, and let
the imagination grasp each scene, especially the
closing ones. As we thus dwell upon His great
sacrifice for us, our confidence in Him will be
more constant, our love will be quickened, and we
shall be more deeply imbued with His spirit. If
we would be saved at last, we must learn the
lesson of penitence and humiliation at the foot
of the cross. DA 83.4
4
The world is our field of missionary toil, and
we are to go forth to labor surrounded with the
atmosphere of Gethsemane and Calvary. 7T
12.2
5
Matthew 2636
6
2636 Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place
called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples,
Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.
2637 And he took with him Peter and the two
sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and
very heavy.
7
2638 Then saith he unto them, My soul is
exceeding sorrowful, even unto death tarry ye
here, and watch with me.
8
2639 And he went a little farther, and fell
on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if
it be possible, let this cup pass from me
nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
9
2639 And he went a little farther, and fell
on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if
it be possible, let this cup pass from me
nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
10
2640 And he cometh unto the disciples, and
findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What,
could ye not watch with me one hour? 2641
Watch and pray, that ye enter not into
temptation the spirit indeed is willing, but the
flesh is weak.
11
2642 He went away again the second time, and
prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not
pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be
done. 2643 And he came and found them
asleep again for their eyes were heavy.
2644 And he left them, and went away again,
and prayed the third time, saying the same words.
12
Penitent adj 1. feeling regret for one's sins
repentant lt n 2. a person who is penitent gt
penitence n.
13
Humility n the quality of being humble and modest.
14
Atmosphere n 1. the mass of gases surrounding
the earth or any other heavenly body 2. the air
in a particular place 3. a pervasive feeling or
mood Example the atmosphere was tense 4. a unit
of pressure equal to the normal pressure of the
air at sea level gt atmospheric adj gt
atmospherically adv.
15
Pervade vb (-vading, -vaded) to spread through
or throughout (something) gt pervasion n gt
pervasive adj.
16
Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.
17
Luke 2241
18
And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's
cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,
19
At the thought of the grievous character of the
guilt of the world, Christ felt that He must go
apart, and be alone He could not bear that even
His disciples should witness His agony as He
contemplated the woe of the world. Even His most
dearly loved friends must not be in His
companionship. 5BC 1102.8
20
Who does similar in sending their family away
before going to pray?
21
Genesis 3223-24
22
3223 And he took them, and sent them over the
brook, and sent over that he had. 3224
And Jacob was left alone and there wrestled a
man with him until the breaking of the day.
23
Jacobs Trouble.
24
Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.
25
HE TOOK THREE
26
Sons of Zebedee Matthew 421 Mark 1433
27
Matthew 421 And going on from thence, he saw
other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and
John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their
father, mending their nets and he called them.
Luke 1433 And he taketh with him Peter and
James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and
to be very heavy
28
Near the entrance to the garden, Jesus left all
but three of the disciples, bidding them pray for
themselves and for Him. With Peter, James, and
John, He entered its secluded recesses. These
three disciples were Christ's closest companions.
They had beheld His glory on the mount of
transfiguration they had seen Moses and Elijah
talking with Him they had heard the voice from
heaven now in His great struggle, Christ desired
their presence near Him... DA 686.1
29
Jesus had twelve disciples when He took three of
them at various times were the others
offended? What about Uus? If not used for a
Position, Job.
30
Jesus had twelve disciples how is it that three
of them were the Closest Companions, does Jesus
have favourites?
31
How do we become the Closest Companions?
32
The depth and fervor of John's affection for his
Master was not the cause of Christ's love for
him, but the effect of that love. John desired to
become like Jesus, and under the transforming
influence of the love of Christ, he became meek
and lowly of heart. Self was hid in Jesus. He was
closely united to the Living Vine, and thus
became a partaker of the divine nature. Such will
ever be the result of communion with Christ. This
is true sanctification. SL 54.2
33
There may be marked defects in the character of
an individual, yet when he becomes a true
disciple of Jesus, the power of divine grace
makes him a new creature. Christ's love
transforms, sanctifies him. But when persons
profess to be Christians, and their religion does
not make them better men and better women in all
the relations of life--living representatives of
Christ in disposition and character--they are
none of His. SL 55.1
34
The Saviour's affection for the beloved disciple
was returned with all the strength of ardent
devotion. John clung to Christ as the vine clings
to the stately pillar. For his Master's sake he
braved the dangers of the judgment hall and
lingered about the cross and at the tidings that
Christ had risen, he hastened to the sepulcher,
in his zeal outstripping even the impetuous
Peter. SL 53.2 John's love for his Master
was not a mere human friendship, but it was the
love of a repentant sinner, who felt that he had
been redeemed by the precious blood of Christ. He
esteemed it the highest honor to work and suffer
in the service of his Lord. His love for Jesus
led him to love all for whom Christ died. His
religion was of a practical character.
35
He seems to have enjoyed, in a pre-eminent sense,
the friendship of Christ, and he received many
tokens of the Saviour's confidence and love. He
was one of the three permitted to witness
Christ's glory upon the mount of transfiguration
and His agony in Gethsemane and to the care of
John our Lord confided His mother in those last
hours of anguish upon the cross. SL 53.1
36
Wilt thou be made whole balanced and squared
144
37
When the books of Daniel and Revelation are
better understood, believers will have an
entirely different religious experience. They
will be given such glimpses of the open gates of
heaven that heart and mind will be impressed with
the character that all must develop in order to
realize the blessedness which is to be the reward
of the pure in heart. The Lord will bless all who
will seek humbly and meekly to understand that
which is revealed in the Revelation. FLB 345.3
38
This book contains so much that is large with
immortality and full of glory that all who read
and search it earnestly receive the blessing to
those "that hear the words of this prophecy, and
keep those things which are written therein." One
thing will certainly be understood from the study
of Revelation--that the connection between God
and His people is close and decided. FLB 345.3
39
HE TOOK THREE
40
Decided adj 1. definite or noticeable Example
a decided improvement 2. strong and definite
Example he has decided views on the matter gt
decidedly adv.
41
Sorrowful and very Heavy.
42
What was the limit His sorrow arrived at?
His sorrow was full.
43
As they approached the garden, the disciples had
marked the change that came over their Master.
Never before had they seen Him so utterly sad and
silent. As He proceeded, this strange sadness
deepened yet they dared not question Him as to
the cause. DA 685.3
44
His disciples had never before heard Him utter
such mournful tones. His frame was convulsed with
anguish, and His pale countenance expressed a
sorrow past all description. PrT, August 11,
1892 par. 3
45
Sorrowful and very Heavy.
46
Sorrow Full And now Exceeding.
47

• Exceed
• vb 1. to be greater in degree or quantity
• 2. to go beyond the limit of (a restriction).
• Sorrow
• n 1. deep sadness or regret, associated with
  death or sympathy for another's misfortune
• 2. a particular cause of this
• lt vb 3. (Literary) to feel deep sadness about
  (death or another's misfortunes) mourn
• sorrowful adj gt sorrowfully

48
2638 Then saith he unto them, My soul is
exceeding sorrowful. . .
49
His sorrow was full, and now going passed it.
As His sorrow was exceeding its fullness, where
was it going to?
50
It was soul anguish that wrung from the lips of
God's dear Son this cry of woe "My soul is
exceeding sorrowful, even unto death."He was
overwhelmed with horror at the fearful work that
sin had wrought. His burden of guilt, because of
man's transgression of the Father's law, was so
great that human nature was inadequate to bear
it. The sufferings of martyrs can bear no
comparison with the agony of Christ. The divine
presence was with them in their sufferings but
the Father's face was hidden from his dear Son.
It was this that brought from the trembling lips
of Christ the words, "Now is my soul
troubled." BEcho, August 1, 1892 par. 14
51
Now He was numbered with the transgressors. The
guilt of fallen humanity He must bear. Upon Him
who knew no sin must be laid the iniquity of us
all. So dreadful does sin appear to Him, so
great is the weight of guilt which He must bear,
that He is tempted to fear it will shut Him out
forever from His Father's love. Feeling how
terrible is the wrath of God against
transgression, He exclaims, "My soul is exceeding
sorrowful, even unto death." DA 685.2
52
The sins of men weighed heavily upon Christ, and
the sense of God's wrath against sin was crushing
out His life. DA 687.1
53
Sense of God's wrath against sin.
54
(Senses are both physical and spiritual) If
we have benumbed senses we will not discern how
terrible sin is, Hebrews 514 Thus we wouldnt
have the desire to rid our souls of its darkness
(Like Christ we should also care if we are being
separated from God)
55
Sorrow Full And now Exceeding.
56
I Need The Prayers of Those I Love.
57
SOS 505 SOS 505
58
Stay where you are and watch with me
59
He felt that by sin He was being separated from
His Father. The gulf was so broad, so black, so
deep, that His spirit shuddered before it. This
agony He must not exert His divine power to
escape. As man He must suffer the consequences of
man's sin. As man He must endure the wrath of
God against transgression. DA 686.3
60
Christ was now standing in a different attitude
from that in which He had ever stood before. His
suffering can best be described in the words of
the prophet, "Awake, O sword, against My
shepherd, and against the man that is My fellow,
saith the Lord of hosts." Zech. 137. As the
substitute and surety for sinful man, Christ was
suffering under divine justice. He saw what
justice meant. Hitherto He had been as an
intercessor for others now He longed to have an
intercessor for Himself. DA 686.4
61
As Christ felt His unity with the Father broken
up, He feared that in His human nature He would
be unable to endure the coming conflict with the
powers of darkness. DA 686.4
62
Like Standing without an intercessor.
63
When He leaves the sanctuary, darkness covers
the inhabitants of the earth. In that fearful
time the righteous must live in the sight of a
holy God without an intercessor. The restraint
which has been upon the wicked is removed, and
Satan has entire control of the finally
impenitent. God's long-suffering has ended. The
world has rejected His mercy, despised His love,
and trampled upon His law. The wicked have passed
the boundary of their probation the Spirit of
God, persistently resisted, has been at last
withdrawn. Unsheltered by divine grace, they have
no protection from the wicked one. Satan will
then plunge the inhabitants of the earth into one
great, final trouble. As the angels of God cease
to hold in check the fierce winds of human
passion, all the elements of strife will be let
loose. The whole world will be involved in ruin
more terrible than that which came upon Jerusalem
of old. GC 614.1
64
But so long as Jesus remains man's intercessor
in the sanctuary above, the restraining influence
of the Holy Spirit is felt by rulers and people.
It still controls to some extent the laws of the
land. Were it not for these laws, the condition
of the world would be much worse than it now is.
While many of our rulers are active agents of
Satan, God also has His agents among the leading
men of the nation. The enemy moves upon his
servants to propose measures that would greatly
impede the work of God but statesmen who fear
the Lord are influenced by holy angels to oppose
such propositions with unanswerable
arguments. Thus a few men will hold in check a
powerful current of evil. The opposition of the
enemies of truth will be restrained that the
third angel's message may do its work. When the
final warning shall be given, it will arrest the
attention of these leading men through whom the
Lord is now working, and some of them will accept
it, and will stand with the people of God through
the time of trouble. GC 610.3
65
Times to not forget how we were lead in past
prepare us. As though the Father is not
there. Abrahams time to sacrifice his son.
66
"These are they which follow the Lamb
whithersoever He goeth." These, having been
translated from the earth, from among the living,
are counted as "the first fruits unto God and to
the Lamb." Revelation 152, 3 141-5. "These are
they which came out of great tribulation" they
have passed through the time of trouble such as
never was since there was a nation they have
endured the anguish of the time of Jacob's
trouble they have stood without an intercessor
through the final outpouring of God's judgments.
But they have been delivered, for they have
"washed their robes, and made them white in the
blood of the Lamb." GC 648.3
67
"In their mouth was found no guile for they are
without fault" before God. "Therefore are they
before the throne of God, and serve Him day and
night in His temple and He that sitteth on the
throne shall dwell among them." They have seen
the earth wasted with famine and pestilence, the
sun having power to scorch men with great heat,
and they themselves have endured suffering,
hunger, and thirst. But "they shall hunger no
more, neither thirst any more neither shall the
sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb
which is in the midst of the throne shall feed
them, and shall lead them unto living fountains
of waters and God shall wipe away all tears from
their eyes." Revelation 714-17. GC 648.3
68
In all ages the Saviour's chosen have been
educated and disciplined in the school of trial.
They walked in narrow paths on earth they were
purified in the furnace of affliction. For Jesus'
sake they endured opposition, hatred, calumny.
They followed Him through conflicts sore they
endured self-denial and experienced bitter
disappointments. By their own painful experience
they learned the evil of sin, its power, its
guilt, its woe and they look upon it with
abhorrence. A sense of the infinite sacrifice
made for its cure humbles them in their own sight
and fills their hearts with gratitude and praise
which those who have never fallen cannot
appreciate. They love much because they have been
forgiven much. Having been partakers of Christ's
sufferings, they are fitted to be partakers with
Him of His glory. GC 649.1
69
Like Standing without an intercessor.
70
Satan presses his temptations.
71
Now the tempter had come for the last fearful
struggle. For this he had been preparing during
the three years of Christ's ministry. Everything
was at stake with him. If he failed here, his
hope of mastery was lost the kingdoms of the
world would finally become Christ's he himself
would be overthrown and cast out. But if Christ
could be overcome, the earth would become Satan's
kingdom, and the human race would be forever in
his power. With the issues of the conflict
before Him, Christ's soul was filled with dread
of separation from God. Satan told Him that if He
became the surety for a sinful world, the
separation would be eternal. He would be
identified with Satan's kingdom, and would
nevermore be one with God. DA 686.5 And
what was to be gained by this sacrifice? How
hopeless appeared the guilt and ingratitude of
men! DA 687.1
72
And what was to be gained by this sacrifice? How
hopeless appeared the guilt and ingratitude of
men! In its hardest features Satan pressed the
situation upon the Redeemer The people who claim
to be above all others in temporal and spiritual
advantages have rejected You. They are seeking to
destroy You, the foundation, the center and seal
of the promises made to them as a peculiar
people. One of Your own disciples, who has
listened to Your instruction, and has been among
the foremost in church activities, will betray
You. One of Your most zealous followers will deny
You. All will forsake You. Christ's whole being
abhorred the thought. That those whom He had
undertaken to save, those whom He loved so much,
should unite in the plots of Satan, this pierced
His soul. The conflict was terrible. Its measure
was the guilt of His nation, of His accusers and
betrayer, the guilt of a world lying in
wickedness. The sins of men weighed heavily upon
Christ, and the sense of God's wrath against sin
was crushing out His life. DA 687.1
Behold Him contemplating the price to be paid for
the human soul.
73
At the thought of the grievous character of the
guilt of the world, Christ felt that He must go
apart, and be alone. The hosts of darkness were
there to make sin appear as extensive, deep, and
horrible as possible. In his hatred of God, in
falsifying His character, in manifesting
irreverence, contempt, and hatred toward the laws
of His government, Satan had made iniquity reach
unto the heavens, and it was his purpose to swell
iniquity to such great proportions, that
atonement should seem impossible so that the Son
of God, who sought to save a lost world, should
be crushed beneath the curse of sin. BTS,
September 1, 1915 par. 3 The working of the
vigilant foe in presenting to Christ the vast
proportions of transgression, caused such
poignant pain, that He felt that He could not
remain in the immediate presence of any human
being. He could not bear that even His disciples
should witness His agony as He contemplated the
woe of the world. Even His most dearly loved
friends must not be in His companionship.
74
Tarry where you are and watch with me
75
Jesus felt that He must be still more alone, and
He said to the favoured three, "My soul is
exceeding sorrowful, even unto death tarry ye
here, and watch with Me. PrT, August 11, 1892
par. 3 . . .He desired them to spend the
night with Him in prayer. Yet He could not bear
that even they should witness the agony He was to
endure. DA 686.1 "Tarry ye here," He
said, "and watch with Me." DA 686.2
76
Christ didnt want to destroy their faith knowing
that they have never seen Him in such anguish,
generally they all look to Him for strength, but
they had seen enough to know that He needed their
prayers. Similar to the scenes with Jacob (Gen
3223-24) Sda hymnal 505
77
SOS 505 SOS 505
78
I Need The Prayers of Those I Love.
79
He went a little farther.
80
He went a little distance from them--not so far
but that they could both see and hear Him--and
fell prostrate upon the ground. DA 686.3
81
He went a little farther.
82
He went a little farther, And fell on His face.
83
Genesis 173 And Abram fell on his face and
God talked with him, saying, Joshua 513 And
it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that
he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold,
there stood a man over against him with his sword
drawn in his hand and Joshua went unto him, and
said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our
adversaries? 514 And he said, Nay but
as captain of the host of the LORD am I now
come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth,
and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my
lord unto his servant?
84
Luke 512 And it came to pass, when he was in a
certain city, behold a man full of leprosy who
seeing Jesus fell on his face, and besought him,
saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me
clean. Luke 1715 And one of them, when he
saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a
loud voice glorified God, 1716 And fell
down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks
and he was a Samaritan.
85
13 (1 Kings 854). Kneel for Prayer in Public
Worship.--I have received letters questioning me
in regard to the proper attitude to be taken by a
person offering prayer to the Sovereign of the
universe. Where have our brethren obtained the
idea that they should stand upon their feet when
praying to God? . . . 3BC 1130.9
Luke 2241 Acts 940 Acts759, 60 Acts2036
Acts 215 Ezra 95, 6 Ps. 956 Eph. 314
quoted.. . . 3BC 1130.10
86
Both in public and private worship it is our
duty to bow down upon our knees before God when
we offer our petitions to Him. This act shows
our dependence upon God. . . . 3BC
1130.11 Psalm 956 O come, let us worship and
bow down let us kneel before the LORD our maker.
87
Teaching reverence, or irreverence by example
2 Chron. 61-13 quoted.. . . 3BC 1130.12
Is it possible that with all the light that God
has given to His people on the subject of
reverence, that ministers, principals, and
teachers in our schools, by precept and example
teach young men to stand erect in devotion as did
the Pharisees? Shall we look upon this as
significant of their self-sufficiency and
self-importance? Are these traits to become
conspicuous? . . . 3BC 1130.13 We hope
that our brethren will not manifest less
reverence and awe as they approach the only true
and living God than the heathen manifest for
their idol deities, or these people will be our
judges in the day of final decision. I would
speak to all who occupy the place of teachers in
our schools. Men and women, do not dishonor God
by your irreverence and pomposity. Do not stand
up in your Phariseeism and offer your prayers to
God. Mistrust your own strength. Depend not in
it but often bow down on your knees before God,
and worship Him. 3BC 1130.14
88
The humble position of a petitioner And
when you assemble to worship God, be sure and bow
your knees before Him. Let this act testify that
the whole soul, body, and spirit are in
subjection to the Spirit of truth. Who have
searched the Word closely for examples and
direction in this respect? . . . 3BC 1130.15
Man must come on bended knee, as a subject of
grace, a suppliant at the footstool of mercy. And
as he receives daily mercies at the hand of God,
he is ever to cherish gratitude in his heart, and
give expression to it in the words of
thanksgiving and praise for these unmerited
favors (NL 37, pp. 1-3). 3BC 1131.1 The
prayer offered by Solomon during the dedication
of the temple, was not made while he stood upon
his feet. The king knelt in the humble position
of a petitioner. 3BC 1131.2 Herein is a
lesson for God's people today. Our spiritual
strength and our influence are not increased by
conformity to a worldly attitude during prayer. .
. . Let man come on bended knee, as a subject of
grace, a suppliant at the footstool of mercy.
Thus he is to testify that the whole soul, body,
and spirit are in subjection to his Creator (RH
Nov. 30, 1905). 3BC 1131.3
89
He went a little farther, And fell on His face.
90
IF POSSIBLE, LET THIS CUP PASS
91
It was separation from the Father's love that
forced from his pale, quivering lips the cry,
"Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass
from me." ST, November 21, 1892 par. 7
92
Sin caused this separation He was bowed to the
earth with mental anguish, and in an agony he
prayed to his Heavenly Father. He felt the
iniquity of sin, and the wrath of God against the
violators of his holy law. ST, August 14, 1879
par. 1 Christ was amazed with the horror of
darkness which enclosed him. The temptations of
Satan were almost overpowering. These words, "O
my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass
from me," were borne upon the sympathizing air,
to his disciples, in tones of startling agony.
The sins of a lost world were upon him, and a
sense of his Father's anger in consequence of sin
was crushing him. ST, August 14, 1879
93
Isaiah 591-2 Gods love is consuming toward sin
(Deut 424 Deut 93, Heb 1229) (As like
antiseptic toward germs). To allow sin to
continue would be the opposite of love.
94
Removing sin is love. Freedom from pain
etc The history of the great conflict between
good and evil, from the time it first began in
heaven to the final overthrow of rebellion and
the total eradication of sin, is also a
demonstration of God's unchanging love. PP 33.3
95
We need to have the same perfect hatred toward
sin, (Psalm 13921-22), or we will face the just
requirement of our own sins, the wrath of God -
The wrath of God is felt as the Father turns His
face from us, how terrible!
96
It was not a dread of the physical suffering he
was soon to endure that brought this agony upon
the Son of God. He was enduring the penalty of
man's transgression, and shuddering beneath the
Father's frown. He must not call his divinity to
his aid, but, as a man, he must bear the
consequences of man's sin and the Creator's
displeasure toward his disobedient subjects. As
he felt his unity with the Father broken up, he
feared that his human nature would be unable to
endure the coming conflict with the prince of the
power of darkness and in that case the human
race would be irrecoverably lost, Satan would be
victor, and the earth would be his kingdom.
3SP 95-96
97
What was this cup?
98
The bitter cup of separation from God In
the Garden of Gethsemane, Christ prayed to His
Father, saying, "O my Father, if it be possible,
let this cup pass from me" (Matt. 2639). The
cup which He prayed should be removed from Him,
that looked so bitter to His soul, was the cup of
separation from God in consequence of the sin of
the world. . . . HP 89.4
99
Martyrs or any child of God has never been left
or forsaken The sufferings of martyrs can bear no
comparison with the agony of Christ. The divine
presence was with them in their sufferings but
the Father's face was hidden from his dear Son.
It was this that brought from the trembling lips
of Christ the words, "Now is my soul troubled."
"O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup
pass from me . . . BEcho, August 1, 1892 par.
14
100
Salvation by no other way In the Garden of
Gethsemane Christ suffered in man's stead, and
the human nature of the Son of God staggered
under the terrible horror of the guilt of sin,
until from His pale and quivering lips was forced
the agonizing cry, "O my Father, if it be
possible, let this cup pass from me" but if
there is no other way by which the salvation of
fallen man may be accomplished, then "not as I
will, but as thou wilt." (Matt. 2639). TMK
64.2 5BC 1103.1
101
Satans plan and temptations was for Christ to
quit. But as we know from the foundation of
world Jesus made the decision to give all for
humankind, so now when the time came to complete
that mission he was not seeking to go back to
heaven and quit, although this could of happened,
He was seeking the possibility of saving man
without the separation between Him the Father.
102
IF POSSIBLE, LET THIS CUP PASS
103
NEVERTHLESS NOT AS I WILL
104
"Nevertheless not what I will, but what thou
wilt" (Matt. 2639). The spirit of submission
that Christ manifested in offering up His prayer
before God is the spirit that is acceptable to
God. Let the soul feel its need, its
helplessness, its nothingness let all its
energies be called forth in an earnest desire for
help, and help will come. . . . Let faith pierce
the darkness. Walk with God in the dark as well
as in the light, repeating the words, "He is
faithful that promised" (Heb. 1023). Through the
trial of our faith we shall be trained to trust
in God. HP 89.4
105
Speak words of submission While presenting our
petitions with earnestness, we should say,
"Nevertheless not my will, but Thine, be done."
LUKE 2242. Jesus added these words of
submission to the wisdom and will of God And if
they were appropriate for Him, the Son of God,
how much more are they becoming on the lips of
finite, erring mortals! MH 230.1 GW 218.1 "
Then with entire submission to His Father's will,
He adds "Nevertheless not as I will, but as Thou
wilt." 2T 206.1
106
The sign of true conversion Our own way must be
overcome. Pride, self-sufficiency, must be
crucified and the vacuum supplied with the Spirit
and power of God. . . . Did Jesus Christ, the
Majesty of heaven, have His way? Behold Him in
travail of soul in Gethsemane, praying to His
Father. .."Nevertheless not my will, but thine,
be done" (Luke 2242). This must be our
attitude--Not my will, but Thine, O God, be done.
This is true conversion. HP 147.4 true
conversion also mentioned in,gt ST, November 21,
1892 par. 7
107
Converted prayer to a God who knows the
beginning from the end In prayer for the
sick it should be remembered that "we know not
what we should pray for as we ought." Romans
826. We do not know whether the blessing we
desire will be best or not. Therefore our prayers
should include this thought "Lord, thou knowest
every secret of the soul. Thou art acquainted
with these persons. Jesus, their Advocate, gave
His life for them. His love for them is greater
than ours can possibly be. If, therefore, it is
for Thy glory and the good of the afflicted ones,
we ask, in the name of Jesus, that they may be
restored to health. If it be not Thy will that
they may be restored, we ask that Thy grace may
comfort and Thy presence sustain them in their
sufferings." MH 229.2
108
God knows the end from the beginning. He is
acquainted with the hearts of all men. He reads
every secret of the soul. He knows whether those
for whom prayer is offered would or would not be
able to endure the trials that would come upon
them should they live. He knows whether their
lives would be a blessing or a curse to
themselves and to the world. This is one reason
why, while presenting our petitions with
earnestness, we should say, "Nevertheless not my
will, but Thine, be done." MH 230.1
109
Ezekiel 37 thou knowest Daniel 9 to us confusion
of face
110
Watch or sleep