Knowing God

1. Not one bird or bee or flower, but our Father knows its cares;
    And He carries all its cares, for He is strong.
Not a second of the hour is our Father unawares
    Of our trials, of our struggles, of our song.
“Seek My face” He bids His children; “Let us reason” is His call.
    “You will find Me when, with all your heart, you seek.
Though your ways are far from My ways, yet I long to heal you all;
    And to bring you to My dwelling with the meek.”

Refrain
He is quick to help the tempted.
He is strong to help the weak.
He is life and health and beauty;
    God above.
He is wisdom for the foolish,
Drawing near to all who seek.
He invites us to approach Him:
    God is love.

2. “God is love!” All nature sings it. “God is love!”, is ev’rywhere.
    His created works, His character reveal.
In the hue that tints the flower, and the fragrance of the air
    And the sunshine and the rain; they bear His seal.
More enduring than the mountains, our defence, unfailable;
    With the wisdom of eternity and more;
All compassing, like the heavens; always He’s available
    And is ready to provide us from His store.
Refrain

3. Closer than the closest brother, He has called us by His name
    He has poured all heaven out, to bring us back
From before the world’s beginning; He will always be the same
    And the Bible shows His promise is not slack.
Knowing Him is life eternal, freely given through His Son.
    It’s a science that will never, ever cease.
He’s a stream of light and life and love, a stream for ev’ryone;
    In the knowledge of the Lord we can find peace.
Refrain

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Ellen White, Patriarchs and Prophets, ch. 58 – “The Schools of the Prophets”, p. 599-600
The student should be led to see God in all the works of creation. Teachers should copy the example of the Great Teacher, who from the familiar scenes of nature drew illustrations that simplified His teachings and impressed them more deeply upon the minds of His hearers. The birds caroling in the leafy branches, the flowers of the valley, the lofty trees, the fruitful lands, the springing grain, the barren soil, the setting sun gilding the heavens with its golden beams—all served as means of instruction. He connected the visible works of the Creator with the words of life which He spoke, that whenever these objects should be presented to the eyes of His hearers, their thoughts might revert to the lessons of truth He had linked with them.

The impress of Deity, manifest in the pages of revelation, is seen upon the lofty mountains, the fruitful valleys, the broad, deep ocean. The things of nature speak to man of his Creator’s love. He has linked us to Himself by unnumbered tokens in heaven and in earth. This world is not all sorrow and misery. “God is love,” is written upon every opening bud, upon the petals of every flower, and upon every spire of grass. Though the curse of sin has caused the earth to bring forth thorns and thistles, there are flowers upon the thistles and the thorns are hidden by roses. All things in nature testify to the tender, fatherly care of our God and to His desire to make His children happy. His prohibitions and injunctions are not intended merely to display His authority, but in all that He does He has the well-being of His children in view. He does not require them to give up anything that it would be for their best interest to retain.

The opinion which prevails in some classes of society, that religion is not conducive to health or to happiness in this life, is one of the most mischievous of errors. The Scripture says: “The fear of the Lord tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied.” Proverbs 19:23. “What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good? Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.” Psalm 34:12-14. The words of wisdom “are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.” Proverbs 4:22.

True religion brings man into harmony with the laws of God, physical, mental, and moral. It teaches self-control, serenity, temperance. Religion ennobles the mind, refines the taste, and sanctifies the judgment. It makes the soul a partaker of the purity of heaven. Faith in God’s love and overruling providence lightens the burdens of anxiety and care. It fills the heart with joy and contentment in the highest or the lowliest lot. Religion tends directly to promote health, to lengthen life, and 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 that they are seeking for themselves. Man is doing the greatest injury and injustice to his own soul when he thinks and acts contrary to the will of God. No real joy can be found in the path forbidden by Him who knows what is best, and who plans for the good of His creatures. The path of transgression leads to misery and destruction; but wisdom’s “ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.” Proverbs 3:17.

Tags: Beauty, Character, God, Health, Knowledge, Life, Love, Nature