No good thing will He withhold from those who live uprightly.
If you read Matthew 24, Luke 21 and the book of Revelation you will see that times are not going to improve and get better but will continue to deteriorate and only get worse. How can we be confident and undisturbed? If our faith is genuine, our confidence is based entirely on the rock-bottom assurance of God’s Sovereignty because we know that nothing is ever out of His control. I hope you have already discovered the magnificence of the 8th chapter of Romans. (Dr. Stanley) points out a couple of principles in this chapter for confidence. We know by experience (Romans 8:28) that God causes all things to work together for the good of His purpose. Nothing is left out, overlooked or omitted. God does not send bad things but he allows them because He has given us a limited free will. We realize from the atrocities we see that if we had unlimited free will it would not be safe to live on this planet. It is never God’s will for you and me to sin but He allows us to sin.
Because we know that God is working in all things for His ultimate good purpose, we know that He is always in total Sovereign control in the universe, in the world and in our individual lives. We also know that His purpose in our lives (Romans 8:29) is to make us like Jesus. If he spared not His own Son (Romans 8:32) will He not, with Him, freely give us everything we need – no matter what is happening to and/or all around us. As we read on in this chapter we see listed (Romans 8:35 -38) many of the dreadful things that are happening in the world at the present time. But our confidence is not shaken by any of these things or because of all of these things. In the very midst of these things nothing can ever (Romans 8:39) separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus. There are still more confidence boosters – the riches of this chapter seem in exhaustible. Because we know (Romans 8:34) that Jesus prays for us and the Holy Spirit intercedes on our behalf and empowers us, we are confident that we can be (Romans 8:37) more than conquerors through Him.
God said (Exodus 33:20) no man can see My face and live. But – wonder – beauty – mystery – God has illuminated us (2 Corinthians 4:6) to see the majesty and glory of God as it is manifested in the Person and revealed in the face of Jesus Christ. There is no way to fully comprehend, no words to adequately describe. Just to believe and in believing know that we are on holy ground – and worship Him.
I heard a pastor explain the significance of the timing of the 2 anointings of Jesus. Six days before he Passover (John 12:3) Mary of Bethany poured a pound of very expensive pure liquid nard on the feet of Jesus in love and worship. Rebuking the critics, Jesus said she had done it to prepare Him for His burial. Two days before the Passover (Mark 14:3) a woman came to where Jesus was in Simon’s house, interrupted their meal and poured very costly nard on the head of Jesus in love and worship. Again, there was rebuke and criticism but Jesus said she had done a beautiful thing to Him and had anointed His body for burial. He said what she had done would be reported wherever the Gospel was proclaimed. We know this is true because we are still inhaling the fragrance. But what is the meaning? A lamb was selected 6 days before the Passover and carefully scrutinized for any blemish. Very special attention was given to the feet because they were most apt to be injured or bruised. If the feet were in perfect condition oil was rubbed on and the lamb was protected and kept very safely until 2 days before the Passover. If that lamb was still unblemished and in perfect condition, oil mixed with nard would be put on its head so that the sacrifice of the Passover lamb would be a pleasing fragrance ascending to God. Thinking about these facts of history makes our hearts swell with love, gratitude and worship for the Lamb of Calvary.
The monetary value of those 2 offerings was 2 years’ wages. Compare that with the value of 2 mites. That was all (Luke 21:34) the poor widow had and she gave it all. Which had the most value in the sight of God? What made the first 2 anointings even more valuable was that their hearts were in it, brimming over with love and worship. Those 2 mites were of priceless value to God because, even in her poverty, her heart was filled with love and worship. How do I know that? Because, just as we are still talking about the 2 women with their expensive, sacrificial gifts of worship, we are still talking about the poor widow and her 2 mites. I don’t think there is any difference at all in these 3 individual love offerings. We can learn from that widow, that truly (Matthew 6:21) our heart will be with whatever we treasure. Do we know that our real and lasting treasure is JESUS? Do we so love Him that we are completely abandoned to Him? (Oswald Chambers) “Have we ever produced in the heart of the Lord Jesus what Mary of Bethany produced?” These are the terms of your insurance policy contract; Every good gift (James 1:17) comes from above, from our heavenly Father and no good thing (Psalms 84:11) will He withhold from those who live uprightly.
This thought just hit me so I am including it. How can I glorify God (1 Corinthians 10:31) when I eat and drink? When Jesus came to live in me his desires and habits came with Him. His desire was always (John 8:29) to please and glorify His father. How did that work out in His eating habits? Jesus enjoyed His food but never disobeyed by anorexia or by gluttony. He ate thankfully, (Philippians 4:6) moderately, according to hunger and not according to appetite. As His representative I can choose to live by the principles which
governed His life. We are so highly privileged to be enabled to glorify God in every detail of our lives - - no matter what may be the circumstances and conditions.
God’s patience and kindness which he lavishes on me every day is the ongoing miracle of God’s grace. I borrow words from an old hymn to say that all of my heart’s desire, all of my body’s strength, all of my soul’s eternal health find their rich supply in one Source and His name is JESUS.
Obedience boiled down to its simplest terms is the constant exchange of love between God and me. Because the Lord loves me (John 16:27) He will improve me through the Holy Spirit to obey Him. Because I love Him (John 14:15) I will choose to obey Him. Because I love Him I will find (1 Corinthians 13:8) that love never fails.