SECOND QUARTER 2026
SABBATH SCHOOL INSIGHT #11
JUNE 13, 2026
"SETBACKS".

 

The lessons this quarter have been a special blessing to the church, as they address a vital theme, “Growing in a Relationship With God.” This week is no exception. God wants us to know Him. Our memory text says, “And not onlythat, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Romans 5:3-5 NKJV). The challenging issue of suffering, tribulation and setbacks is illustrated by a story on Sabbath afternoon’s lesson. “One evening, as the sun dipped over the horizon, a girl was walking home when a dark storm blew in. She quickened her pace, knowing there was still a way to go. A lone raindrop fell on her cheek, then another, and before she knew it, she was drenched. She started to run toward the front door of her home, where her father rushed to meet her. He had been watching her from the front window. As he wrapped a blanket around her shoulders, he asked her, “I saw you just now, in the rain. Why, with every bolt of lightning, did you stop running to look up and smile?” “Oh, I stopped to look up,” she said, “because God was taking my picture!” The lesson has given us rich stories to consider, of which we will explore just two, a night in a storm, and the story of Job. 

Mark chapter four, Matthew chapter eight and Luke chapter eight record the story of the storm referenced on Sunday’s lesson, that evoked fear and anxiety in the disciples. Each gospel reports the circumstances that led to this story differently, but Ellen White tells us that, “it had been an eventful day in the life of Jesus,” that Jesus had been teaching and healing and ministering, not even pausing for food or rest. Overcome by hunger, and weariness, He told the disciples to get into a boat. “Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing” (Mark 4:36-38). Luke records a bit more panic. “But as they sailed, He fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water, and were in jeopardy. And they came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing” (Luke 8:23-24). Ellen White’s commentary on this episode is sublime. Let us read each line of the quote piece by piece and allow the message to speak to our own personal setbacks.

“Absorbed in their efforts to save themselves, they had forgotten that Jesus was on board. Now, seeing their labor vain and only death before them, they remembered at whose command they had set out to cross the sea. In Jesus was their only hope. In their helplessness and despair they cried, ‘Master, Master!’ But the dense darkness hid Him from their sight. Their voices were drowned by the roaring of the tempest, and there was no reply. Doubt and fear assailed them. Had Jesus forsaken them? Was He who had conquered disease and demons, and even death, powerless to help His disciples now? Was He unmindful of them in their distress? Again they call, but there is no answer except the shrieking of the angry blast. Already their boat is sinking. A moment, and apparently, they will be swallowed up by the hungry waters. Suddenly a flash of lightning pierces the darkness, and they see Jesus lying asleep, undisturbed by the tumult. In amazement and despair they exclaim, ‘Master, carest Thou not that we perish?’ How can He rest so peacefully, while they are in danger and battling with death? Their cry arouses Jesus. As the lightning’s glare reveals Him, they see the peace of heaven in His face; they read in His glance self-forgetful, tender love, and, their hearts turning to Him, cry, ‘Lord, save us: we perish.’ Never did a soul utter that cry unheeded. As the disciples grasp their oars to make a last effort, Jesus rises. He stands in the midst of His disciples, while the tempest rages, the waves break over them, and the lightning illuminates His countenance. He lifts His hand, so often employed in deeds of mercy, and says to the angry sea, ‘Peace, be still.’”^_—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, pp.334-335. 

She goes on. “How often the disciples’ experience is ours! When the tempests of temptation gather, and the fierce lightnings flash, and the waves sweep over us, we battle with the storm alone, forgetting that there is One who can help us. We trust to our own strength till our hope is lost, and we are ready to perish. Then we remember Jesus, and if we call upon Him to save us, we shall not cry in vain. Though He sorrowfully reproves our unbelief and self-confidence, He never fails to give us the help we need. Whether on the land or on the sea, if we have the Saviour in our hearts, there is no need of fear. Living faith in the Redeemer will smooth the sea of life, and will deliver us from danger in the way that He knows to be best.”^—ibid., p. 336.

There is an additional aspect of this story that is worth contemplating. “When Jesus was awakened to meet the storm, He was in perfect peace. There was no trace of fear in word or look, for no fear was in His heart. But He rested not in the possession of almighty power. It was not as the ‘Master of earth and sea and sky’ that He reposed in quiet. That power He had laid down, and He says, ‘I can of Mine own self do nothing.’ John 5:30. He trusted in the Father’s might. It was in faith—faith in God’s love and care—that Jesus rested, and the power of that word which stilled the storm was the power of God. As Jesus rested by faith in the Father’s care, so we are to rest in the care of our Saviour.”^—ibid., p. 336.

Of all the setbacks recorded in Scripture, Job is a standout. The Book of Job begins with a declaration. “There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil” (Job 1:1, NKJV). We understand as we read the chapter that Satan was going to and fro on the earth and walking back and forth on it. The conversation that follows between the Lord and Satan is significant. “Then the LORD said to Satan, ‘Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?’ So Satan answered the LORD and said, ‘Does Job fear God for nothing? Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face’” (Job 1:8-13). Satan’s claim was that Job served God and was faithful to Him because of all the blessings, gifts, health, and wealth that God had given him. Anyone would serve God as long as their lives were going smoothly, as long as God was good to them, as long as there was no tribulation, suffering or challenges. But God said something significant at the beginning of the conversation in verse eight. The Lord said that there was none like Job on the earth. This implies that God knew Job. He trusted Job. The Lord knew, He was confident, He had no doubt that Job had a true religion that sprung from love for God, an intelligent, heartfelt appreciation of the character of God. God knew that Job was not in it for the material things. God knew that Job believed that He is worthy of his affections, faithfulness, and confidence. God knew Job. When the Lord was thinking of destroying Sodom and Gomorrah, the Bible tells us that He said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am doing?” (Genesis 18:17, NKJV). The next thought God expressed regarding Abraham in verse nineteen was, I know him. That was the same sentiment that God had about Job—I know him. 

Job did not disappoint. He lost everything—his servants, his livestock, his children, his home and finally his own physical being was full of painful boils and sores from head to toe. His wife told him, “curse God and die.” Friends came to give him advice. God knew Job and Job knew God. We find him several chapters later making this claim by faith. “Oh, that my words were written! Oh, that they were inscribed in a book! That they were engraved on a rock with an iron pen and lead, forever! For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth; And after my skin is destroyed, this I know, that in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. Howmy heart yearns within me” (Job 19:23-27).  Note how he says, “I know.” Ellen White says this, “From the depths of discouragement and despondency Job rose to the heights of implicit trust in the mercy and the saving power of God.”^—Patriarchs and Prophets, p.168.

“Into the experience of all there come times of keen disappointment and utter discouragement—days when sorrow is the portion, and it is hard to believe that God is still the kind benefactor of His earthborn children; days when troubles harass the soul, till death seems preferable to life. It is then that many lose their hold on God and are brought into the slavery of doubt, the bondage of unbelief. Could we at such times discern with spiritual insight the meaning of God’s providences we should see angels seeking to save us from ourselves, striving to plant our feet upon a foundation more firm than the everlasting hills, and new faith, new life, would spring into being”—ibid., p. 162. 

Job continues in Chapter twenty-three, “Look, I go forward, but He is not there, and backward, but I cannot perceive Him; When He works on the left hand, I cannot behold Him; When He turns to the right hand, I cannot see Him. But He knows the way that I take; When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold” (Job 23:8-10). Though Job could not see God, he had faith that God knew his situation, and he believed that when the test was over, he would emerge as pure as gold. When God finally responds in chapter thirty-eight and onward, God reveals Himself, His goodness, His power in creation, His loving care for His creation, and His wisdom, knowing that although He does not address the why questions, the revelation of His character to Job would be sufficient. God’s reply acquaints Job not merely with facts, but with God. We know this because when Job responded to God, he said in Chapter forty-two, “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You. Therefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes” (Job 42:5,6). The phrase “but now” tells us that Job had a knowledge of God from his study and from the traditions of men, but now he has had a personal experience with God, a communion with Almighty God. Based on what he knew from tradition, the righteous did not suffer setbacks. But now his “eyes” have seen God. He knows that God is rich in mercy, gracious and long-suffering, abounding in goodness and truth, and though he may suffer, he is still God’s child. He learned a few lessons. As God led him through the questions, Job saw that surrender to the divine will was the only way to peace. He also learned that commitment to God is not affected by his circumstances. His relationship with God has been deepened and solidified in the truth as it is in Jesus. His faith has grown.  

Tuesday’s lesson tells us about the woman in Mark chapter 5 with a flow of blood she had for twelve years. No one knew how to help her. In her affliction she sought Jesus. She encountered a crowd but just wanted to touch the hem of His garment. Mark tells us that her desire was, “to be made well.” There is one word in the Greek for that phrase which is “sozo.” Similarly, when Jesus insists on meeting this woman who touched Him, He used the same Greek phrase, “sozo.” “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.” This woman did not stay home and surrender to her circumstances. She came to Jesus with faith that He would help her with even more than her surface need. 

These three stories from Scripture teach us so much. The storms of life assail us all and fear, worry and discouragement grips us, but we remember that “when we call out to Jesus, our cry will not be in vain. He never fails to give us the help we need. He invites us, ‘Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light'” (Matthew 11:28-30). 

May God richly bless us as we seek a closer walk with Him.

 

—Lyndi Schwartz