"I feared that God had taken His favor from me forever. As I thought of the light that had formerly blessed my soul, it seemed doubly precious in contrast with the darkness that now enveloped me. Meetings were held at my father's house, but my distress of mind was so great that I did not attend them for some time. My burden grew heavier until the agony of my spirit seemed more than I could bear. 1T 64.1"
"Will the Lord cast off for ever? and will he be favourable no more?"
The EGW passage expresses fear that God has taken His favor forever, which directly echoes the question posed in Psalm 77:7 about whether the Lord will cast off forever and be favorable no more. The thematic parallel is strong.
"Lover and friend hast thou put far from me, and mine acquaintance into darkness."
Both passages describe a feeling of isolation and darkness. While EGW doesn't explicitly mention friends being put far away, the overall sense of being enveloped in darkness and distress aligns with the sentiment in Psalm 88:18.
"My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?"
Both passages express a feeling of abandonment by God during a time of distress. The EGW passage echoes the sentiment of feeling forsaken and the contrast between past light and present darkness aligns with the Psalmist's lament.
"At length I was induced to be present at one of the meetings in my own home. The church made my case a special subject of prayer. Father Pearson, who in my earlier experience had opposed the manifestations of the power of God upon me, now prayed earnestly for me, and counseled me to surrender my will to the will of the Lord. Like a tender father he tried to encourage and comfort me, bidding me believe I was not forsaken by the Friend of sinners. 1T 64.2"
"Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done."
Father Pearson counseled Ellen White to surrender her will to the will of the Lord. This directly reflects the principle of submission to God's will as exemplified in Luke 22:42. The connection is strong and directly related to the principle of surrendering one's will to God.
"Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."
The EGW passage describes a situation where prayer is being offered for someone's healing and spiritual well-being, which aligns with the theme of James 5:16 about the power of prayer.
"For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."
The EGW passage describes a church meeting where prayer is offered, which connects to the theme of Matthew 18:20 about Jesus being present when believers gather in His name.
"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
The verse offers comfort and rest to those burdened, which aligns with Father Pearson's encouragement to Ellen White, suggesting she was feeling burdened and in need of comfort. However, the connection is not strong enough to be considered a direct allusion.
"I felt too weak and despondent to make any special effort for myself, but my heart united with the petitions of my friends. I cared little now for the opposition of the world, and felt willing to make every sacrifice if only the favor of God might be restored to me. While prayer was offered for me, the thick darkness that had encompassed me rolled back, and a sudden light came upon me. My strength was taken away. I seemed to be in the presence of the angels. One of these holy beings again repeated the words: “Make known to others what I have revealed to you.” 1T 64.3"
"Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."
The EGW passage describes a situation where prayer is offered for her, leading to healing and restoration. This aligns with James 5:16, which emphasizes the power of prayer for healing. The connection is a thematic parallel, as both passages highlight the importance and efficacy of prayer.
"And thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear: for they are most rebellious."
The core principle of being called to speak God's message, regardless of the audience's reception, is present in both passages. EGW's statement echoes the sentiment of Ezekiel's commission.
"And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:"
Both passages describe a sudden light appearing, accompanied by a transformative experience. The parallel is thematic, focusing on the sudden appearance of light as a sign of divine intervention.
"Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength."
Both passages describe a loss of strength and physical ability after experiencing a vision or divine encounter. The parallel lies in the shared experience of physical weakness following a spiritual event.