"There is much talk about God in nature, as if the Lord were bound by the laws of nature to be nature's servant. Many theories would lead minds to suppose that nature is a self-sustaining agency apart from the Deity, having its own inherent power with which to work. In this men do not know what they are talking about. Do they suppose that nature has a self-existing power without the continual agency of Jehovah? The Lord does not work through His laws to supersede the laws of nature. He does His work through the laws and properties of His instruments, and nature obeys a “Thus saith the Lord.” 6T 186.1"
"For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring."
Both passages address God's active role in creation and existence. Acts 17:28 speaks of our dependence on God for life and being, while the EGW passage emphasizes God's continual agency in nature, countering the idea of a self-sustaining nature independent of God. The connection is thematic, focusing on God's active involvement.
"Fire, and hail; snow, and vapour; stormy wind fulfilling his word:"
Both passages highlight God's control and authority over natural phenomena. Psalm 148:8 describes various elements obeying God's word, while the EGW passage asserts that nature obeys "Thus saith the Lord." The connection lies in the shared theme of God's dominion over nature.
"The God of nature is perpetually at work. His infinite power works unseen, but manifestations appear in the effects which the work produces. The same God who guides the planets works in the fruit orchard and in the vegetable garden. He never made a thorn, a thistle, or a tare. These are Satan's work, the result of degeneration, introduced by him among the precious things; but it is through God's immediate agency that every bud bursts into blossom. When He was in the world in the form of humanity, Christ said: “My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.” John 5:17 . So when the students employ their time and strength in agricultural work, in heaven it is said of them, Ye “are laborers together with God.” 1 Corinthians 3:9 . 6T 186.2"
"But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work."
The EGW passage directly quotes John 5:17, making it an explicit allusion. The context in EGW further reinforces the idea of God's ongoing work in both nature and human endeavors.
"For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building."
Ellen White directly references 1 Corinthians 3:9 in this passage.