Many look upon the great work to be accomplished for God’s people, and their prayers go up to Him for help in the great harvest. But, if help does not come in just the manner they expect, they will not receive it, but turn from it as the Jewish nation turned from Christ because disappointed in the manner of His appearing. Too much poverty and humility marked His advent, and in their pride they refused Him who came to give them life. In this God would have the church humble their hearts and see the great need of correcting their ways before Him, lest He visit them in judgment. Many who profess godliness make the external adorning far more important than the inward adorning. Had the church all humbled themselves before the Lord and corrected their past errors so fully as to meet His mind, they would not be so deficient in estimating moral excellence of character. {2T 142.1}

Mange ser på det store værk der skal udrettes for Guds folk og deres bønner går op til ham efter hjælp til den store høst. Men, hvis hjælpen ikke lige kommer på den måde de venter, vil de ikke tage imod den, men vende sig fra den, som det jødiske folk vendte sig fra Kristus da de var skuffet over hans tilsynekomst. Rigtig megen fattigdom og ydmyghed markerede hans komme og i deres stolthed afviste de ham som kom for at give dem liv. Ved dette ville Gud have at menigheden skulle ydmyge sine hjerter og se det store behov for at rette deres veje efter ham, så han ikke hjemsøger dem i dommen. Mange der vedkender gudfrygtighed gør den ydre besmykkelse langt mere betydningsfuld end den indre. Havde menigheden helt ydmyget sig selv for Herren og rettet deres tidligere fejl så meget så sindet kunne imødekommes ville de ikke være så mangelfulde i at overskue karakterens gode moralske egenskab.