“O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works” (Psalms 71:17 KJV).
In the time of John the Baptist, greed for riches, and the love of luxury and display had become widespread. Sensuous pleasures, feasting and drinking, were causing physical disease and degeneracy, benumbing the spiritual perceptions, and lessening the sensibility to sin. John was to stand as a reformer. By his abstemious life and plain dress he was to rebuke the excesses of his time. Hence the directions given to the parents of John,—a lesson of temperance by an angel from the throne of heaven. DA 100.5
In childhood and youth the character is most impressible. The power of self-control should then be acquired. By the fireside and at the family board influences are exerted whose results are as enduring as eternity. More than any natural endowment, the habits established in early years decide whether a man will be victorious or vanquished in the battle of life. Youth is the sowing time. It determines the character of the harvest, for this life and for the life to come. DA 101.1
As a prophet, John was “to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” In preparing the way for Christ’s first advent, he was a representative of those who are to prepare a people for our Lord’s second coming. The world is given to self-indulgence. Errors and fables abound. Satan’s snares for destroying souls are multiplied. All who would perfect holiness in the fear of God must learn the lessons of temperance and self-control. The appetites and passions must be held in subjection to the higher powers of the mind. This self-discipline is essential to that mental strength and spiritual insight which will enable us to understand and to practice the sacred truths of God’s word. For this reason temperance finds its place in the work of preparation for Christ’s second coming. DA 101.2
https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/130.361#383
Dear Heavenly Father, I praise Your name for Your mercy to protect and sustain me my whole life. You are worthy of my praise. Please bless me daily to exercise self-control and choose wisely that I might live for Thee: testifying to Thy goodness, guidance and power in my life to save me from sin. Please bless my lifestyle so that I may effectively rebuke the excesses of these times and draw others closer to Thee. Thank You, for I pray in the worthy name of Thy Son Jesus, our Savior and Strength.
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