A Dispute once arose between the wind and the sun over which was the stronger of the two. There seemed to be no way of settling the issue. But suddenly they saw a traveler coming down the road.
"This is our chance," said the sun, "to prove who is right. Whichever of us can make that man take off his coat shall be the stronger. And just to show you how sure I am, I'll let you have the first chance."
So the sun hid behind the cloud, and the wind blew an icy blast. But the harder he blew the more closely did the traveler wrap his coat around him. At last the wind had to give up in disgust. Then the sun came out from behind the cloud and began to shine down upon the traveler with all his power. The traveler felt the sun's genial warmth, and as he grew warmer and warmer he began to loosen his coat. Finally he was forced to take it off altogether and to sit down in the shade of a tree and fan himself. So the sun was right after all!
Application: Persuasion is Better than force. Aesop’s Fables
The angel said to Zerubbabel, "Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit," saith the LORD of hosts. Zechariah 4:6
Jehovah God never uses His Almighty power to force us to follow Him or obey Him. God never gives an ultimatum by force that He will make us worship Him in any form. But by His loving Spirit which is given to us to know what is right or wrong, to know the true gospel, and to follow Jesus, this is a persuasion in our hearts. This is where we chose whom we shall serve. Knowing God and His will, it is up to us to chose for ourselves to leave our sinful life and worship Him. For He is our creator. His love is infinite. If He was to force us to worship Him, obey Him, or love Him, He contradicts Himself. He is not a forceful God. But to those who love God it will be the highest delight to keep His commandments and to do those things that are pleasing in His sight.
"Says the psalmist, "The law of the Lord is perfect." How wonderful in its simplicity, its comprehensiveness and perfection, is the law of Jehovah! "Where there is no vision the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he." Proverbs 29:18. Man's happiness must always be guarded by the law of God. The law is the hedge which God has placed about His vineyard. By it those who obey are protected from evil. We owe to Him all that makes life desirable, and He asks of us the affections of the heart and the obedience of the life. His precepts, if obeyed, will bring happiness into the home life, happiness to every individual.
Right doing will bring peace and holy joy." Ellen G White