"But when we give ourselves wholly to God and in our work follow His directions, He makes Himself responsible for its accomplishment. He would not have us conjecture as to the success of our honest endeavors. Not once should we even think of failure. We are to co-operate with One who knows no failure. COL 363.1"
"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."
The EGW quote emphasizes relying on God's power and direction for success, echoing the principle in Philippians 4:13 that we can do all things through Christ's strength. The connection is strong and directly related to the principle of divine empowerment.
"Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass."
Both passages encourage trusting in God and committing our way to Him, with the promise that He will bring it to pass or be responsible for the outcome. The EGW quote focuses on following God's directions and not doubting, while Psalm 37:5 emphasizes commitment and trust. The connection is thematic and supportive.
"Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen."
Both passages touch on God working in us to accomplish His will. The EGW quote speaks of God making Himself responsible when we follow His directions, while Hebrews 13:21 describes God working in us to do what is pleasing to Him. The connection is thematic, though not as direct as some others.
"We should not talk of our own weakness and inability. This is a manifest distrust of God, a denial of His word. When we murmur because of our burdens, or refuse the responsibilities He calls upon us to bear, we are virtually saying that He is a hard master, that He requires what He has not given us power to do. COL 363.2"
"Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine."
The EGW passage directly alludes to the parable of the talents and the accusation of the servant who called his master a 'hard man.' The connection is clear and intentional.
"But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we. And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying, The land, through which we have gone to search it, is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it are men of a great stature. And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight."
The EGW quote directly addresses the issue of expressing weakness and inability as a distrust of God, mirroring the Israelites' fearful report in Numbers 13:31-33, where they focused on their own inadequacy compared to the inhabitants of Canaan. Both passages highlight the negative consequences of focusing on limitations rather than trusting in God's power.