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The Youth’s Instructor

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October 20, 1886

Who are Blessed

EGW

“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.” Those who have the blessing of the Lord are, highly favored. If the Lord be taken as your counselor, you will have his grace to help you to do those things that are pleasing in his sight. Be sure, then, that you do not choose the ungodly as your companions, for they will influence you to do those very things that will displease God, and deprive you of his blessing. The ungodly serve a master of whom they should be ashamed. It is no honorable employment to be serving the Devil, obeying his suggestions, and following his counsel, which is to serve the world and slavishly follow its customs. Ministering to your appetite and desiring selfish amusements is not a worthy life for youth to lead, and will never make a noble man or woman. YI October 20, 1886, par. 1

You should be very careful whom you serve, whom you choose as your captain. You need never be ashamed to serve your Lord. He who has given his precious life because he loved you, and wanted you to be happy, will be a captain who will always be mindful of your interest. He has paid a dear price for your service, and he has a right to command the use of all your powers. The service of the Lord, how precious it is! What an exalted position to be identified with one in whom is all perfection centered, who is indeed the Majesty of heaven, but who loved us, although fallen, so much that language cannot express it! He for our sakes laid aside his royal robe, stepped down from the throne in heaven, and condescended to clothe his divinity with humility, and became like one of us except in sin, that his life and character should be a pattern for all to copy, that they might have the precious gift of eternal life. He has given every evidence that he loves you in that he died to save you from a life of sin and the punishment which all sinners must receive if they do not turn from a life of sin by repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. YI October 20, 1886, par. 2

The ungodly are those who do not love and obey the commandments of God, but go contrary to them. This is the class of counselors you are warned to shun,—the class which Satan uses to lead youth astray. Their counsel, their suggestions, are of a character to make light of sin, to ridicule righteousness. Their manners may be pleasant, and they may have intellect, which make them all the more successful in leading others astray. They are represented as standing in the way of sinners, always leading them out of the straight path of duty and obedience to God's commandments into paths of disobedience. If it were not for those persons who do wrong and tempt others to do wrong, many sinners might have chosen the path of duty, the life of purity and godliness. YI October 20, 1886, par. 3

When any open their minds and hearts to those who would advise them to do wrong in any way, then they are walking in the counsel of the ungodly; and in their turn they become the agents of Satan to tempt others to walk in the same path. They are standing in the way of sinners, to turn the feet of sinners into false paths, which lead to perdition; and in the next step they will find themselves sitting in the seat of the scornful unconcerned. The ministrations of Christ are unheeded, the great salvation freely offered and dearly purchased is neglected. None can take this position without having it registered of them, in the books of heaven, “Walking in the counsel of the ungodly, standing in the way of sinners, sitting in the seat of the scornful.” The message of mercy, of love, of peace, is scorned, and those who associate with this class will become like them, despisers of God's mercy. It is surprising to see how far the influence of one ungodly youth may extend; what a power he becomes in the hands of Satan for evil; how much his counsels are heeded; how much sorrow and sadness and grief he can bring into the hearts of fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters, and grieve the Saviour, who valued all so highly that he gave his life for them! YI October 20, 1886, par. 4

Every soul who takes these steps in the way of evil makes the angels of God weep. But there is one who rejoices,—the Devil is glad, because he claims all such evil workers as his property. He loves to make the hearts of God-fearing parents sad, and he loves to see Christ, his rival, slighted. He loves to taunt the angels of God that Christ has died for these deceived, deluded souls in ruin. YI October 20, 1886, par. 5

Will our youth please the Devil by thus choosing the counsel of the ungodly? or will they please the Saviour, who loves them and gave his life for them to redeem them from the power of Satan, and give them peace and righteousness and heaven? The privileges granted to the children of God are without limit,—to be connected with Jesus Christ, who, throughout the universe of heaven and worlds that have not fallen, is adored by every heart, and his praises sung by every tongue; to be children of God, to bear his name, to become a member of the royal family; to be ranged under the banner of Prince Immanuel, the King of kings and Lord of lords. His word is obeyed by the highest intelligences; his word marshals the hosts of heaven whose servants are mighty angels, excelling in strength. “They do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.” YI October 20, 1886, par. 6

The lowliest service done for Jesus is the greatest honor mortals can enjoy. Angels, pure and holy, obey his word; and shall we be deceived and deluded into the service of Satan? Shall we refuse obedience to his requirements? Shall it not be said of us individually, “But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” Here the divine blessing is pronounced upon the obedient. Now see the denunciation against the disobedient: “The ungodly are not so; but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the Judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous; but the way of the ungodly shall perish.” Psalm 1. YI October 20, 1886, par. 7

Mrs. E. G. White