Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 22 (1907)

Ms 73, 1907

Jehovah Is Our King

August 15, 1907 [typed]

This manuscript is published in entirety in TM 477-484.

God has revealed many things to me which He has bidden me give to His people by pen and voice. Through this message of the Holy Spirit, God’s people are given sacred instruction concerning their duty to God and to their fellow men. 22LtMs, Ms 73, 1907, par. 1

A strange thing has come into our churches. Men who are placed in positions of responsibility, that they might be wise helpers to their fellow workers, have come to suppose that they were set as kings and rulers in the churches, to say to one brother, Do this, to another, Do that, and to another, Be sure to labor in such and such a way. There have been places where the workers have been told that, if they did not follow the instruction of these men of responsibility, their pay from the conference would be withheld. 22LtMs, Ms 73, 1907, par. 2

It is right for the workers to counsel together as brethren; but that man who endeavors to lead his fellow workers to seek his counsel and advice regarding the details of their work, and to learn their duty from him, is in a dangerous position and needs to learn what responsibilities are really comprehended in his office. God has appointed no man to be conscience for his fellow man, and it is not wise to lay so much responsibility upon an officer that he will feel that he is forced to become a dictator. 22LtMs, Ms 73, 1907, par. 3

A Constant Peril

For years there has been a growing tendency for men placed in positions of responsibility to lord it over God’s heritage, thus removing from church members their keen sense of the need of divine instruction and an appreciation of the privilege to counsel with God regarding their duty. This order of things must be changed. There must be a reform. Men who have not a rich measure of that wisdom, which cometh from above, should not be called to serve in positions where their influence means so much to church members. 22LtMs, Ms 73, 1907, par. 4

In my earlier experience in the message, I was called to meet this evil. During my labors in Europe and Australia, and again at the San Jose camp meeting, I had to bear my testimony of warning against it, because souls were being taught to look to man for wisdom, instead of looking to God who is our wisdom, our sanctification, and our righteousness. Recently the same message has again been given me, more definite and decisive, because there has been a deeper offense to the Spirit of God. 22LtMs, Ms 73, 1907, par. 5

An Exalted Privilege

God is the teacher of His people. All who humble their hearts before Him will be taught of God. “If any man lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not, and it shall be given him.” [James 1:5.] The Lord wants every church member to pray earnestly for wisdom, that he may know what the Lord would have him do. It is the privilege of every believer to obtain an individual experience, learning to carry his cares and perplexities to God. It is written, “Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you.” [James 4:8.] 22LtMs, Ms 73, 1907, par. 6

Through His servant Isaiah, God is calling His church to appreciate her exalted privilege in having the wisdom of the Infinite at her demand: “O Zion, that bringeth good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God! Behold, the Lord will come with strong hand, and His arm shall rule for Him: behold, His reward is with Him, and His work before Him. He shall feed His flock like a shepherd: He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and shall gentle lead those that are with young.” [Isaiah 40:9-11.] Isaiah 40:12-17, 28-31. 22LtMs, Ms 73, 1907, par. 7

In the forty-first to the forty-fifth chapters of Isaiah, God very fully reveals His purpose for His people, and these chapters should be prayerfully studied. God does not here instruct His people to turn away from Him and look to finite man for wisdom. 22LtMs, Ms 73, 1907, par. 8

Isaiah 44:21-23; 45:21-25. 22LtMs, Ms 73, 1907, par. 9

I write thus fully because I have been shown that ministers and people are tempted more and more to trust in finite man for wisdom, and to make flesh their arm. To conference presidents and men in responsible places, I bear this message: Break the bands and fetters that have been placed upon God’s people. To you the word is spoken, “Break every yoke.” [Isaiah 58:6.] Unless you cease the work of making man amenable to man, unless you become humble in heart, and yourselves learn the way of the Lord as little children, the Lord will divorce you from His work. We are to treat one another as brethren, as fellow laborers, as men and women who are, with us, seeking for light and understanding of the way of the Lord, and who are jealous for His glory. 22LtMs, Ms 73, 1907, par. 10

God declares, “I will be glorified in My people;” but the self-confident management of men has resulted in putting God aside and accepting the devisings of men. If you allow this to continue, your faith will soon become extinct. God is in every place, beholding the conduct of the people who profess to represent the principles of His Word. He asks that a change be made. He wants His people to be molded and fashioned, not after man’s ideas, but after the similitude of God. I entreat of you to search the Scriptures as you have never yet searched them, that you may know the way and will of God. O that every soul might be impressed with this message, and put away the wrong! 22LtMs, Ms 73, 1907, par. 11

Paul’s Experience

We would do well to study carefully the first and second chapters of First Corinthians. “We preach Christ crucified,” the apostle declared, “unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; but to them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:23-2:8, 16. 22LtMs, Ms 73, 1907, par. 12

Read also the third chapter of this book, and study and pray over these words. As a people our faith and practice need to be energized by the Holy Spirit. No ruling power that would compel men to obey the dictates of the finite mind should be exercised. “Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils,” the Lord commands. [Isaiah 2:22.] By turning the minds of men to lean on human wisdom, we place a veil between God and man, so that there is not a seeing of Him who is invisible. 22LtMs, Ms 73, 1907, par. 13

In our individual experience we are to be taught of God. When we seek Him with a sincere heart, we will confess to Him our defects of character; and He has promised to receive all who come to Him in humble dependence. The one who yields to the claims of God will have the abiding presence of Christ, and this companionship will be to him a very precious thing. Taking hold of divine wisdom, he will escape the corruptions that are in the world through lust. Day by day he will learn more fully how to carry his infirmities to the One who has promised to be a very present help in every time of need. 22LtMs, Ms 73, 1907, par. 14

This message is spoken to our churches in every place. In the false experience that has been coming in, a decided influence is at work to exalt human agencies and to lead some to depend on human judgment and to follow the control of human minds. This influence is diverting the mind from God, and God forbid that any such experience should deepen and grow in our ranks as Seventh-day Adventists. Our petitions are to reach higher than erring man—to God. ... God does not confine Himself to one place or person. He looks down from heaven upon the children of men; He sees their perplexities and is acquainted with the circumstances of every issue of life. He understands His own work upon the human heart, and He needs not that any man should direct the workings of His Spirit. 22LtMs, Ms 73, 1907, par. 15

“This is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He heareth us. And if we know that He hear us, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him.” [1 John 5:14, 15.] God has appointed the angels that do His will to respond to the prayers of the meek of the earth and to guide His ministers with counsel and judgment. Heavenly agencies are constantly seeking to impart grace and strength and counsel to God’s faithful children, that they may act their part in the work of communicating light to the world. The wonderful sacrifice of Christ has made it possible for every man to do a special work. When the worker receives wisdom from the only true Source, he will become a pure channel of light and blessing; for he will receive his capability for service in rich currents of grace and light from the throne of God. 22LtMs, Ms 73, 1907, par. 16