Yahuwah
is love. He has a care for the creatures he has formed. "Like as a
father pitieth his children, so the Master pitieth them that fear him"
(Psalms 103:13). He has not designed that his creatures should be
miserable. Have any of us duly considered how much we have to be thankful
for? Do we remember that the mercies of the Master are new every morning,
and that his faithfulness faileth not? Do we acknowledge our dependence
upon him, and express gratitude for all his favors?
On the contrary, we too
often forget that "every good and every perfect gift is from above, and
cometh down from the Father of lights" (James 1:17). Many experience
needless unhappiness. They take their minds from Yahushua, and center them
too much upon self. They magnify small difficulties, and talk
discouragements. They are guilty of the great sin of needless repining over
Yahuwah's providences. For all that we have and are, we are indebted to
Yahuwah. He has given us powers, that, to a certain extent, are similar to
those which he himself possesses; and we should labor earnestly to develop
these powers, not to please and exalt self, but to glorify
him.
 We
should not allow our minds to be swayed from allegiance to Yahuwah. Through
Yahushua we may and should be happy, and should acquire habits of
self-control. Even the thoughts must be brought into subjection to the will
of Yahuwah, and the feelings under the control of reason and religion. Our
imagination was not given us to be allowed to run riot and have its own
way, without any effort at restraint and discipline. If the thoughts are
wrong, the feelings will be wrong; and the thoughts and feelings combined
make up the moral character. When we decide that as followers of Yahushua
we are not required to restrain our thoughts and feelings, we are brought
under the influence of evil angels, and invite their presence and their
control. If we yield to our impressions and allow our thoughts to run in a
channel of suspicion, doubt, and repining, we shall be unhappy, and our
lives will prove a failure.
Man
has been placed in a world of sorrow, care, and perplexity. He is placed
here to be tested and proved as were Adam and Eve, that he may develop a
right character, and bring harmony out of discord and confusion. There is
much for us to do that is essential to our own happiness and that of
others. And there is much for us to enjoy. Through Yahushua we are brought
into connection with Yahuwah. His mercies place us under continual
obligation; feeling unworthy of his favors, we should appreciate even the
least of them.
This earth is
the Master's. Here it may be seen that nature, animate and inanimate, obeys
his will. Yahuwah created man a superior being; he alone is formed in the
image of Yahuwah, and is capable of partaking of the divine nature, of
co-operating with his Creator and executing his plans; and he alone is
found at war with Yahuwah's purposes.
How wonderfully, with what marvelous beauty, has everything in nature been
fashioned. Everywhere we see the perfect works of the great Master-artist.
The heavens declare his glory; and the earth, which was formed for the
happiness of man, speaks to us of his matchless love. Its surface is not a
monotonous plain; but grand old mountains rise to diversify the landscape.
There are sparkling streams and fertile valleys, beautiful lakes, broad
rivers, and the boundless ocean. Yahuwah sends the dew and the rain to
refresh the thirsty earth. The breezes, that promote health by purifying
and cooling the atmosphere, are controlled by his wisdom. He has placed the
sun in the heavens to mark the periods of day and night, and by its genial
beams to give light and warmth to the earth, causing vegetation to
flourish.
I call your attention
to these blessings from the bounteous hand of Yahuwah. Let the fresh
glories of each new morning awaken praise in your hearts for these tokens
of his loving care. But while our kind heavenly Father has
given us so many things to promote our happiness, he has given us also
blessings in disguise. He understands the necessities of fallen man; and
while he has given us advantages on the one hand, on the other there are
inconveniences which are designed to stimulate us to use the ability he has
given us. These develop patient industry, perseverance, and courage.
There are evils which man may lessen, but
can never remove. He is to overcome obstacles, and make his surroundings
instead of being molded by them. He has room to exercise his talents in
bringing order and harmony out of confusion. In this work he may have
divine aid if he will claim it. He is not left to battle with temptations
and trials in his own strength. Help has been laid upon One who is mighty.
Yahushua left the royal courts of heaven, and suffered and died in a world
degraded by sin, that he might teach man how to pass through the trials of
life and overcome its temptations. Here is a pattern for us.
As the benefits conferred upon his
creatures by our heavenly Father are recounted, do you not feel reproved,
dear brethren and sisters, for your ungrateful repining? Yahuwah hears your
murmurings. If there is a cloud in sight, if affliction comes upon you, how
often you seem to forget that the sun ever shone. The Master is merciful,
gracious, and true. Do not shut up your hearts against melody and joy,
dwelling only on the disagreeable features of your life. Hold thanksgiving
services in your home, and recount with rejoicing the blessings that have
been bestowed upon you.
 The power of the
truth should be sufficient to sustain and console in every adversity. It is
in enabling its possessor to triumph over affliction that the religion of
Yahushua reveals its true value. It brings the appetites, the passions, and
the emotions under the control of reason and conscience, and disciplines
the thoughts to flow in a healthful channel. And then the tongue will not
be left to dishonor Yahuwah by expressions of sinful repining.
Our Creator justly claims the right to do
as he chooses with the creatures of his hand. He has a right to govern as
he wills and not as man chooses. But he is not a severe judge, a harsh,
exacting creditor. He is the very fountain of love, the giver of blessings
innumerable. It should cause you the deepest grief that you have
disregarded such love, and have not let gratitude and praise well up in
your hearts for the marvelous goodness of Yahuwah. We do not deserve all
his benefits; but they are continued to us, notwithstanding our
unworthiness and cruel ingratitude. Then cease to complain as though you
were bond-servants under a hard taskmaster. Yahushua is good. Praise him.
Praise him who is the health of your countenance, and your
Elohim.
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