Other Object Lessons III
Courage and Steadfastness
Lesson 1 The stars also have a message of good cheer for every human being.
Biblical evidence
Isaiah 40:26-29 26 Lift up your eyes on high, And see who has created these things, Who brings out their host by number; He calls them all by name, By the greatness of His might And the strength of His power; Not one is missing. 27 Why do you say, O Jacob, And speak, O Israel: “My way is hidden from the LORD, And my just claim is passed over by my God”? 28 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the LORD, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. 29 He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength.
Isaiah 41:10 10 Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’
Isaiah 41:13 13 … I, the LORD your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’
Practical application
Stars in their untroubled course
Bright stars
The stars have a message of good cheer for every human being. In those hours that come to all, when…
- when the heart is faint and temptation presses sore;
- When obstacles seem insurmountable,
- When life’s aims impossible of achievement,
- When life’s fair promises like apples of Sodom;
In those hours, where, then, can such courage and steadfastness be found as in that lesson which God has bidden us learn from the stars in their untroubled course?
- “Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: He calleth them all by names by the greatness of His might, for that He is strong in power; not one faileth. Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest, O Israel, My way is hid from the Lord, and my judgment is passed over from my God? Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of His understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might He increaseth strength.” Isaiah 40:26-29
- “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed for I am Thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness.”Isaiah 41:10
- “I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.” Isaiah 41: 13.
A Guide to Living Waters
Lesson 2 The palm tree, beaten by the scorching sun and the fierce sandstorm, stands green and flourishing and fruitful in the midst of the desert.
Biblical evidence
Psalm 92:12 12 The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
Isaiah 41:19-20 19 I will plant in the wilderness the cedar and the acacia tree, The myrtle and the oil tree; I will set in the desert the cypress tree and the pine And the box tree together, 20 That they may see and know, And consider and understand together, That the hand of the LORD has done this, And the Holy One of Israel has created it.
Isaiah 35:1-6 NKJ Isaiah 35:1 The wilderness and the wasteland shall be glad for them, And the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose; 2 It shall blossom abundantly and rejoice, Even with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, The excellence of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the LORD, The excellency of our God. 3 Strengthen the weak hands, And make firm the feeble knees. 4 Say to those who are fearful-hearted, “Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, With the recompense of God; He will come and save you.” 5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, And the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. 6 Then the lame shall leap like a deer, And the tongue of the dumb sing. For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness, And streams in the desert.
Isaiah 43:19-21 19 Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert. 20 The beast of the field will honor Me, The jackals and the ostriches, Because I give waters in the wilderness And rivers in the desert, To give drink to My people, My chosen. 21 This people I have formed for Myself; They shall declare My praise.
John 7:37 37 …If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.
Practical application
Palm trees in a desert oasis
The palm tree, beaten by the scorching sun and the fierce sandstorm, stands green and flourishing and fruitful in the midst of the desert.
- Its roots are fed by living springs.
Its crown of verdure is seen afar over the parched, desolate plain; and the traveler, ready to die, urges his failing steps…
- to the cool shade
- to the life-giving water
The tree of the desert is a symbol of what God means the life of His children in this world to be.
- They are to guide weary souls, full of unrest, and ready to perish in the desert of sin, to the living water.
- They are to point their fellow men to Him who gives the invitation, “If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink.” John 7:37.
Utmost Use of Opportunities
Lesson 3 The wide, deep river, that offers a highway for the traffic and travel of nations, is valued as a world-wide benefit; but what of the little rills that help to form this noble stream?
Biblical evidence
1 Corinthians 7:24 24 Brethren, let each one remain with God in that state in which he was called.
Ecclesiastes 9:10 10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.
Jonah 1:1-4 NKJ Jonah 1:1 Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, 2 “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it; for their wickedness has come up before Me.” 3 But Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. He went down to Joppa, and found a ship going to Tarshish; so he paid the fare, and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. 4 But the LORD sent out a great wind on the sea, and there was a mighty tempest on the sea, so that the ship was about to be broken up.
Psalm 75:6-7 6 For exaltation comes neither from the east Nor from the west nor from the south. 7 But God is the Judge: He puts down one, And exalts another.
Practical application
A little water rill
The wide, deep river, that offers a highway for the traffic and travel of nations, is valued as a world-wide benefit; but what of the little rills that help to form this noble stream?
- Were it not for the little rills, the river would disappear.
- Upon the little rills, the rivers very existence depends.
A little rill helps to form the larger stream
So men called to lead in some great work are honored as if its success were due to them alone; but that success required the faithful co-operation of humbler workers almost without number–
- workers of whom the world knows nothing.
Tasks uncommended, labor without recognition, is the lot of most of the world’s toilers. And in such a lot many are filled with discontent.
- They feel that life is wasted.
But the little rill that makes its noiseless way through grove and meadow, bearing health and fertility and beauty, is as useful in its way as the broad river. And in contributing to the river’s life, it helps achieve that which alone it could never have accomplished.
The lesson is one needed by many. Talent is too much idolized, and station too much coveted. There are
- too many who will do nothing unless they are recognized as leaders;
- too many who must receive praise, or they have no interest to labor.
What we need to learn is faithfulness in making the utmost use of the powers and opportunities we have, and contentment in the lot to which Heaven assigns us.