F - Quotes
"Be still & know that I am God.” When every other voice is hushed, when every earthly interest is turned aside, the silence of the soul makes more distinct the voice of God. Here rest is found in Him. The peace, the joy, the life of the soul, is God. FE 440
It is our privilege to draw nigh to God, to breathe in the atmosphere of His presence... Nothing short of abiding in the presence of Christ will bring peace, freedom, courage, & power. HP 7
Their cry arouses Jesus. As the lightning’s glare reveals Him, they see the peace of heaven in His face; they read in His glance self-forgetful, tender love, &, their hearts turning to Him, cry, “Lord, save us: we perish.” Never did a soul utter that cry unheeded. As the disciples grasp their oars to make a last effort, Jesus rises. He stands in the midst of His disciples, while the tempest rages, the waves break over them, & the lightning illuminates His countenance. He lifts His hand, so often employed in deeds of mercy, & says to the angry sea, “Peace, be still.” The storm ceases. The billows sink to rest. The clouds roll away, & the stars shine forth. The boat rests upon a quiet sea. Then turning to His disciples, Jesus asks sorrowfully, “Why are ye fearful? have ye not yet faith?” When Jesus was awakened to meet the storm, He was in perfect peace. There was no trace of fear in word or look, for no fear was in His heart. But He rested not in the possession of almighty power. It was not as the “Master of earth & sea & sky” that He reposed in quiet. That power He had laid down, & He says, “I can of Mine own self do nothing.” He trusted in the Father's might. It was in faith - faith in God's love & care - that Jesus rested, & the power of that word which stilled the storm was the power of God. As Jesus rested by faith in the Father's care, so we are to rest in the care of our Saviour. If the disciples had trusted in Him, they would have been kept in peace. Their fear in the time of danger revealed their unbelief. In their efforts to save themselves, they forgot Jesus; & it was only when, in despair of self-dependence, they turned to Him that He could give them help. How often the disciples’ experience is ours! When the tempests of temptation gather, & the fierce lightnings flash, & the waves sweep over us, we battle with the storm alone, forgetting that there is One who can help us. We trust to our own strength till our hope is lost, & we are ready to perish. Then we remember Jesus, & if we call upon Him to save us, we shall not cry in vain. Though He sorrowfully reproves our unbelief & self-confidence, He never fails to give us the help we need. Whether on the land or on the sea, if we have the Saviour in our hearts, there is no need of fear. Living faith in the Redeemer will smooth the sea of life, & will deliver us from danger in the way that He knows to be best. There is another spiritual lesson in this miracle of the stilling of the tempest. Every man's experience testifies to the truth of the words of Scripture, “The wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest... There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.” Sin has destroyed our peace. While self is unsubdued, we can find no rest. The masterful passions of the heart no human power can control. We are as helpless here as were the disciples to quiet the raging storm. But He who spoke peace to the billows of Galilee has spoken the word of peace for every soul. However fierce the tempest, those who turn to Jesus with the cry, “Lord, save us,” will find deliverance. His grace, that reconciles the soul to God, quiets the strife of human passion, & in His love the heart is at rest. DA 335-336
When the child seeks to get nearest to his father, above every other person, he shows his love, his faith, his perfect trust. And in the father’s wisdom & strength the child rests in safety. So with the children of God. The Lord bids us, “Look unto Me, & be ye saved!” FE 441
All who are under the training of God need the quiet hour for communion with their own hearts, with nature, & with God... We must individually hear Him speaking to the heart. He bids us, “Be still, & know that I am God.” ...Amidst the hurrying throngs & the strain of life’s intense activities, he who is thus refreshed will be surrounded with an atmosphere of light & peace. He will receive a new endowment of both physical & mental strength. ML 149
Many, even in their seasons of devotion, fail of receiving the blessing of real communion with God. They are in too great haste. With hurried steps they press through the circle of Christ's loving presence, pausing perhaps a moment within the sacred precincts, but not waiting for counsel. They have no time to remain with the divine Teacher. With their burdens they return to their work... Not a pause for a moment in His presence, but personal contact with Christ, to sit down in companionship with Him - this is our need. Ed 260-261
We may bring Him our little cares & perplexities as well as our greater troubles. Whatever arises to disturb or distress us, we should take it to the Lord in prayer. T5 200-201
Calmly, yet fervently, the soul is to reach out after God; & sweet & abiding will be the influence emanating from Him who sees in secret, whose ear is open to the prayer arising from the heart. He who in simple faith holds communion with God will gather to himself divine rays of light to strengthen & sustain him in the conflict with Satan. FLB 225
If more praising of God were engaged in now, hope & courage & faith would steadily increase. It was a singular way of going to battle against the enemy’s army - praising the Lord with singing, & exalting the God of Israel. This was their battle song. They possessed the beauty of holiness. “The Lord set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, & Mount Seir, which were come against Judah; & they were smitten.” In obedience to the command, “Stand ye still, & see the salvation of the Lord:... fear not, nor be dismayed,” they had put their trust wholly in God, & He had proved to be their fortress & their deliverer. Laden with spoil, the armies of Judah returned “with joy; for the Lord had made them to rejoice over their enemies. And they came to Jerusalem with psalteries & harps & trumpets unto the house of the Lord.” Great was their cause for rejoicing. God was the strength of Judah in this crisis, & He is the strength of His people today. We are not to trust in princes, or to set men in the place of God. We are to remember that human beings are fallible & erring, & that He who has all power is our strong tower of defense. In every emergency we are to feel that the battle is His. His resources are limitless, & apparent impossibilities will make the victory all the greater. PK 202-203
God works through the calm, regular operation of His appointed laws. So it is in spiritual things. Satan is constantly seeking to produce effects by rude & violent thrusts, but Jesus found access to minds by the pathway of their most familiar associations. He disturbed as little as possible their accustomed train of thought, by abrupt actions or prescribed rules. He honored man with His confidence, & thus placed him on his honor. He introduced old truths in a new & precious light. Thus when only twelve years old He astonished the doctors of the law by His questions in the temple. Ev 139-140
We are not to look at present appearances, nor be angry when we are misjudged, but we should improve every opportunity of doing good. It is wise to seek humility & meekness, & carefully to avoid raising a combative spirit, which will close hearts & ears to the truth. Hold your mouth as with a bridle when the wicked are before you. When tempted to say sarcastic things, refrain... Let the life argue for Jesus, & the lips be opened with wisdom to defend the truth. ...We are often brought into positions that are trying, where human nature longs to break forth, but in such cases, be still, do not retaliate. GW92 466-467
Do not speak sharply to the evil doer, & discourage a soul who is struggling with the powers of darkness. Be still, & let your heart ascend in prayer to God for help. Angels will come close to your side, & help you to lift up the standard against the enemy, & instead of cutting off the erring one, you may be enabled to gain a soul for Christ. CE 242
Bear in mind always that the human brotherhood are not sin-bearers. Jesus alone can bear the sins of the transgressor. We are to leave them with him. The conscience needs to be converted. The heart that is not true needs to be renewed, but we can not do this work. We must leave the sinner with God. He has borne long with the false tongue. He does not force men to forsake evil, & we must let men falsify if they will. The Lord is our only trust. We are to rest in him & be still. We may feel that the Lord’s work is in jeopardy, through the deceptions of those who deal falsely, but we need not feel thus. We are not to think that the issue of the conflict is in our hands. Our duty is to walk by faith. In his own time God will deal with the deceiver. He will reward every man according to his work. RH Nov. 27, 1900
The work of the very best of God’s laborers will often be commented upon by men who have not a genuine experience in what it means to hide in Christ. Condemnation will be passed upon those who may be trying to do their work faithfully. Then is the time for God’s workers to show their gentleness, to hide in the cleft of the Rock. God’s voice says to them, “Be still & know that I am God.” MR311 32
Eat his word, search it, dig deep for the hidden treasure. Do not talk. We have always had so much to say. God says, “Be still, & know that I am God.” Be still long enough to know that God is God. Remember that you are to help every one around you. Forget yourself, your bruises & wounds & difficulties. Praise God, & he will receive you. Because he lives, you may live also. GCB Apr. 4, 1901
The manner of Jesus in working his miracles was very different from that of his apostles. His language was that of one who possessed power in himself. “Be thou clean.” “Peace, be still.” Neither did he hesitate to accept the honor offered him on these occasions, nor seek to divert the minds of the people from himself, as though his miracles were not wrought by his own power, for his own glory. But the apostles wrought miracles only in the name of Jesus, & refused to receive the least honor to themselves. They claimed to be only instruments of that Jesus whom the Jews had crucified, but whom God had raised & elevated to his right hand. He was to receive all the honor & praise. 3SP 277
Come to Christ just as you are, weak, helpless, & ready to die. Cast yourself wholly on his mercy. There is no difficulty within or without that can not be surmounted in his strength. Some have stormy tempers; but he who calmed the stormy Sea of Galilee will say to the troubled heart, “Peace, be still.” There is no nature so rebellious that Christ can not subdue it, no temper so stormy that he can not quell it, if the heart is surrendered to his keeping. He who commits his soul to Jesus need not despond. We have an all-powerful Saviour. Looking to Jesus, the author & finisher of your faith... RH Jun. 9, 1910
While bowed at the altar with others who were seeking the Lord, all the language of my heart was: “Help, Jesus; save me, or I perish! I will never cease to entreat till my prayer is heard & my sins are forgiven.” I felt my needy, helpless condition as never before. As I knelt & prayed, suddenly my burden left me, & my heart was light. At first a feeling of alarm came over me, & I tried to resume my load of distress. It seemed to me that I had no right to feel joyous & happy. But Jesus seemed very near to me; I felt able to come to Him with all my griefs, misfortunes, & trials, even as the needy ones came to Him for relief when He was upon earth. There was a surety in my heart that He understood my peculiar trials, & sympathized with me. I can never forget this precious assurance of the pitying tenderness of Jesus toward one so unworthy of His notice. I learned more of the divine character of Christ in that short period, when bowed among the praying ones, than ever before. One of the mothers in Israel came to me & said, “Dear child, have you found Jesus?” I was about to answer, “Yes,” when she exclaimed, “Indeed you have; His peace is with you, I see it in your face!” CET 18-19
Cultivate restfulness, & commit the keeping of your souls unto God as unto a faithful Creator. He will keep that which is committed to His trust. He is not pleased to have us cover His altar with our tears & complaints. You have enough to praise God for already,... But the good work will go on if you will only go forward, & not be trying to adjust everything to your own ideas. Let the peace of God rule in your hearts, & be ye thankful. Let the Lord have room to work. Do not block His way. He can & will work if we will let Him. T9 136
Things will go wrong because of unconsecrated workers. You may shed tears over the result of this; but don’t worry. The blessed Master has all His work from end to end under His masterly supervision. All He asks is that the workers shall come to Him for their orders, & obey His directions. Everything -our churches, our missions, our Sabbath schools, our institutions - is carried upon His divine heart. Why worry? The intense longing to see the church a living & shining light as God designs it shall be, must be tempered with entire trust in God. RH Nov. 14, 1893
Let calmness & self-possession be cultivated & perseveringly maintained, for this was the character of Christ. 2SM 22
Behold, how good & how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! Psalm 133:1
The true Christian will do all in his power to rise to the highest achievements. He will live in unity with his fellow-men, & will be a convincing argument to the world in favor of the grace of Christ. ST Apr. 25, 1900
Put not into our enemies’ hands anything that bears the least suggestion of differences among us, even in opinion. 15MR 301
These are days of trial & of great peril, the adversary of souls is upon the track of every one; & while we stand out separate from the world, we should press together in faith & love. United, we are strong; divided, we are weak. HS 213
Instead of isolating themselves, Christians should associate together. RH Sept. 8, 1885
All are to bind themselves to the covenant of love & harmony. The Christian principles & graces of the whole society of believers are to gather strength & force in harmonious action. Each believer is to be benefited & improved by the refining & transforming influence of the varied capabilities of the other members, that the things lacking in one may be more abundantly displayed in another. All the members are to draw together, that the church may become a spectacle to the world, to angels, & to men. 3SM 15-16
His tender compassion fell with a touch of healing upon weary & troubled hearts. Even amid the turbulence of angry enemies He was surrounded with an atmosphere of peace. The beauty of His countenance, the loveliness of His character, above all, the love expressed in look & tone, drew to Him all who were not hardened in unbelief. Had it not been for the sweet, sympathetic spirit that shone out in every look & word, He would not have attracted the large congregations that He did. The afflicted ones who came to Him felt that He linked His interest with theirs as a faithful & tender friend, & they desired to know more of the truths He taught. Heaven was brought near. They longed to abide in His presence, that the comfort of His love might be with them continually. DA 254, 255
His countenance did not wear an expression of grief & repining but ever one of peaceful serenity. His heart was a well-spring of life, & wherever He went He carried rest & peace, joy & gladness. SC 120
God works, & man works, that man may be one with Christ as Christ is one with God. Then we sit together with Christ in heavenly places. The mind rests with peace & assurance in Jesus. TMK 95
If Christ is abiding in our hearts by faith, we shall, by beholding the manner of His life, seek to be like Jesus, pure, peaceable, & undefiled. The symmetry, loveliness, & benevolence that were in the life of Jesus Christ will be shining forth in our lives. 2SM 22
True religion brings man into harmony with the laws of God, physical, mental, & moral. It teaches self-control, serenity, temperance. Religion ennobles the mind, refines the taste, & sanctifies the judgment. It makes the soul a partaker of the purity of heaven. Faith in God’s love & overruling providence lightens the burdens of anxiety & care. It fills the heart with joy & contentment in the highest or the lowliest lot. Religion tends directly to promote health, to lengthen life, & to heighten our enjoyment of all its blessings. It opens to the soul a never-failing fountain of happiness. Would that all who have not chosen Christ might realize that he has something vastly better to offer them than they are seeking for themselves. Man is doing the greatest injury & injustice to his own soul when he thinks & acts contrary to the will of God. No real joy can be found in the path forbidden by him who knows what is best, & who plans for the good of his creatures. The path of transgression leads to misery & destruction; but wisdom’s “ways are ways of pleasantness, & all her paths are peace.” CE 68
If Christians would bring more pleasantness into their lives, they would make religion & truth a power for good. 4LtMs, Lt19, 1886
Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5
Meekness is a fruit of the Spirit & an evidence that we are branches of the living God. The abiding presence of meekness is an unmistakable evidence that we are branches of the True Vine & are bearing much fruit. It is an evidence that we are by faith beholding the King in His beauty & becoming changed into His likeness. Where meekness exists, the natural tendencies are under the control of the Holy Spirit. Meekness is not a species of cowardice. It is the spirit which Christ manifested when suffering injury, when enduring insult & abuse. To be meek is not to surrender our rights, but it is the preservation of self-control under provocation to give way to anger or to the spirit of retaliation. Meekness will not allow passion to take the lines. When Christ was accused by the priests & Pharisees, He preserved His self-control, but He took His position decidedly that their charges were untrue. He said to them, “Which of you convinceth me of sin?”... He knew that His position was right. When Paul & Silas were beaten & thrust into prison without trial or sentence, they did not surrender their right to be treated as honest citizens... FH 188
The most precious fruit of sanctification is the grace of meekness. When this grace presides in the soul, the disposition is molded by its influence. There is a continual waiting upon God & a submission of the will to His. The understanding grasps every divine truth, & the will bows to every divine precept, without doubting or murmuring. True meekness softens & subdues the heart & gives the mind a fitness for the engrafted word. It brings the thoughts into obedience to Jesus Christ. It opens the heart to the word of God, as Lydia’s was opened. It places us with Mary, as learners at the feet of Jesus. SL 14
When Christ is cherished in the heart, His likeness will be revealed in the life. Humility will reign where pride was once predominant. Submission, meekness, patience, will soften down the rugged features of a naturally perverse, impetuous disposition. Love to Jesus will be manifested in love to His people. It is not fitful, not spasmodic, but calm & deep & strong. 5T 49
What is the love of the Christian? It is the reflection of the love of Christ. It is the effect of the operation of the Holy Spirit. Looking to the cross of Calvary, we see Jesus dying for the sins of the world, in order that by his death, life & immortality might be brought to light in behalf of the contrite soul. Jesus is all in all, & without him we can do nothing. Without Christ, spiritual life would be impossible. But this union of Christ with the soul is the union which Satan is ever seeking to disturb, & through yielding to his temptations, the soul that once was united to Christ may become assimilated to the world, & have no relish for the bread of eternal life. The provision from the table of the Lord, the heavenly manna, is not relished; & the world-loving soul loathes the corn of heaven, & hungers & thirsts for the praise & flattery of the world. The applause of men is the food that is relished by the perverted appetite of the Christless soul. Infatuated by a Satanic ambition to have the supremacy, professed followers of Christ are led on from one delusion to another until eternity is lost out of their reckoning. But he who lives godly in Christ Jesus will have no relish for the forbidden praise of men. RH Dec. 4, 1984
Many hear the invitation of mercy, are tested & proved; but few are sealed with the seal of the living God. Few will humble themselves as a little child, that they may enter the kingdom of heaven. 5T 50
How few bear in mind that the tempter was once a covering cherub, a being whom God created for His own name’s glory. Satan fell from his high position through self-exaltation; he misused the high capabilities with which God had so richly endowed him. He fell for the same reason that thousands are falling today, because of an ambition to be first, an unwillingness to be under restraint. The Lord would teach man the lesson that, though united in church capacity, he is not saved until the seal of God is placed upon him... The Lord has a work for us all to do. And if the truth is not rooted in the heart, if the natural traits of character are not transformed by the Holy Spirit, we can never be colaborers with Jesus Christ. Self will constantly appear, & the character of Christ will not be manifested in our lives. 7BC 969
By their sins they had separated themselves from God, & in their pride were moving independently of Him. They felt sufficient in themselves for all things, & realized no need of a higher wisdom to direct their acts. But the Son of God was surrendered to the Father's will, & dependent upon His power. So utterly was Christ emptied of self that He made no plans for Himself. He accepted God's plans for Him, & day by day the Father unfolded His plans. So should we depend upon God, that our lives may be the simple outworking of His will. DA 208
The language of the meek is never that of boasting. Like the child Samuel, they pray, “Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth.” When Joshua was placed in the highest position of honor, as commander of Israel, he bade defiance to all the enemies of God. His heart was filled with noble thoughts of his great mission. Yet upon the intimation of a message from Heaven he placed himself in the position of a little child to be directed. “What saith my Lord unto his servant?” was his response. The first words of Paul after Christ was revealed to him were, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” SL 15
There is, then, no ground for men to take glory to themselves. For every blessing which they enjoy, for every good quality which they possess, they are indebted to the grace of Christ. None should exalt themselves as possessing wisdom or righteousness. Those who have the deepest experience in the things of God, are the farthest removed from pride or self-exaltation. They have the humblest thoughts of self, & the most exalted conceptions of the glory & excellence of Christ. RH Mar. 15, 1887
Just as soon as we realize our inability to do God's work & submit to be guided by His wisdom, the Lord can work with us. If we will empty the soul of self, He will supply all our necessities. 7T 213
They must be emptied of self & be filled with the Spirit & power of God. HVL 291
Those who are emptied of self, the thoughtful & conscientious, cannot raise their eyes to Christ, the living Saviour, without feelings of awe & the deepest humility. To behold Jesus continually will make the soul alive unto God. We shall love Jesus, we shall love the Father who sent Him into the world, for we see Him in a wondrous light, full of grace & truth. HP 60
...those whose lives were made beautiful by little acts of kindness, by tender words of affection & sympathy, whose hearts recoiled from strife & contention, who never did any great work in order to be lauded of men, these are found recorded in the Lamb’s book of life. Though the world counted them as insignificant, they are approved of God before the assembled universe. They are astonished to hear the word, from the lips of the divine Master, “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” If we are doers of the Word, we shall take heed to the voice of God & bear our cross after Jesus, hourly subduing self. ST Feb. 24, 1890
Peacemakers! What a treasure... what a blessing in the church! Peacemakers may be tempted, but their life is hid with Christ in God. They look unto Jesus, copying His pattern. They pray for self-control, for meekness, for peace. They receive the peace which Christ gives. But how different is the natural, unrenewed heart. It is constantly in a state of irritation at something or someone. 9LtMs, Lt34, 1894
It is the love of self that destroys our peace. While self is all alive, we stand ready continually to guard it from mortification & insult; but when we are dead, & our life is hid with Christ in God, we shall not take neglects or slights to heart. We shall be deaf to reproach & blind to scorn & insult. MB 16
You must learn to cultivate modesty in speaking. Self must be subdued & kept in subjection. A Christian will not pursue a course of bickering & contention with even the most wicked & unbelieving. This spirit of contention is opposed to all the principles of heaven. In Christ’s Sermon on the Mount He says: “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” ...You should be less confident & forward in your own opinion, & possess a teachable spirit, that of a learner. 2T 163
It is not only the wise, the great, the beneficent, the teachers of Bible doctrines, that will gain a passport into the heavenly courts; not only the busy workers, full of zeal & restless activity. No; the pure in heart, in whose lips there is found no guile; the peacemaker, who is actuated by the Spirit of an abiding Christ; the humble worker, whose highest ambition it is to do God’s service - these will gain an abundant entrance. RH May 11, 1897
The grace of Christ received into the heart, subdues enmity; it allays strife & fills the soul with love. He who is at peace with God & his fellow men cannot be made miserable. Envy will not be in his heart; evil surmisings will find no room there; hatred cannot exist. The heart that is in harmony with God is a partaker of the peace of heaven & will diffuse its blessed influence on all around. The spirit of peace will rest like dew upon hearts weary & troubled with worldly strife. Christ’s followers are sent to the world with the message of peace. Whoever, by the quiet, unconscious influence of a holy life, shall reveal the love of Christ; whoever, by word or deed, shall lead another to renounce sin & yield his heart to God, is a peacemaker. ...“blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” The spirit of peace is evidence of their connection with heaven. The sweet savor of Christ surrounds them. The fragrance of the life, the loveliness of the character, reveal to the world the fact that they are children of God. Men take knowledge of them that they have been with Jesus. MB 27-28