38. Effectual Preparation for God’s Work
Today’s reading: pp. 57–58.
Those of you who have been following along on my reading plan won’t have noticed that today’s reading is a turning point.
For the public reader the first two chapters have been subtly illustrating Jesus as our example as a worker, today it becomes more explicit with the quote of Matthew 9:38 and:
This is the effectual preparation for all labor for God.
We too may have to work for God! (Tomorrow we will see just how sacred and consequential this work is.)
Jesus faced frustration from constant interruption, however, contrary to my typical response, He responded with compassion, love and pity for restless (hinting at lack of peace of mind), thirsting followers.
That which appealed to His heart was a soul thirsting for the waters of life. p.25.
Notice what he prayed for after His ministry. Not for strength or rest for Himself, but for the still “suffering, sinful, needy ones” travelling home for rest.
What did He pray for them?… that His Father would send them also as workers in His harvest fields.
This is the first inkling that the helped are to become helpers. Chapters 6 and 9 will expand on this concept.
In a life wholly devoted to the good of others…
In this and the last paragraph, Ellen hints at another audience, doctors, who will make a surprisingly early appearance (p. 111). However we all need to quiet, communion with our Father.
All under training of God refers to the disciples (p. 52), and to all His toil-worn workers today. The invitation is to quiet and rest where we can commune with our own hearts, with nature and with God.
- Our hearts — to open them so He will instruct us plainly (p. 28), to examine what makes our hearts sink (p. 49) and to find heart-rest (p. 54).
- Nature — to understand its mysteries (p.52) and discover kingdom principles and divine truths (p. 54).
- God — to have a personal experience of finding His will, to hear Him distinctly speaking to our heart.
This is the only effective preparation to work with God. It gives:
- a persuasive atmosphere of light and peace
- new physical and mental strength
- a power to reach hearts
Nothing is more needed in our work than the practical results of communion with God. p. 512