I am always intrigued by the way the Holy Spirit brings a thought or scripture to my mind – then builds on it – unfolds hidden treasures – sometimes a little more over a few days – adding until the message is complete. He is so wonderful – so patient – so kind – and so essential to me. I love to listen to His teaching and He often surprises me by where He starts.
Genesis 1:2-3) The earth was a formless empty waste. Darkness was upon the face of the very great deep. The spirit of God was moving – hovering – brooding over the face of the waters. Why – what was He doing? He was preparing it for God’s exact perfect time to say – Let there be light. Then what happened? There was light. God said - - and there was. His very WORDS are the guarantee and power of their accomplishment. (Isaiah 61:11 Amplified speaks of the self-fulfilling power of God’s Word.
If I was foolish enough to try to compare the power of dynamite with God’s eternal all-powerful WORD – dynamite is not even a firecracker. Do we delve – rejoice – in the magnificence of our God and His WORD?
Was this just for creation or is there something personal for me? This is the way my thoughts are running.
A formless empty waste is a life without Jesus Christ. I think it could also refer to a Christian whose life is filled with deliberate, continual disobedience. The great “deep” in me is my subconscious – a depth I cannot reach and cannot know what lurks there. (OSWALD CHAMBERS) – The Blood of Jesus (1 John 1:7) cleanses us from all sin. “This does not refer only to subconscious sin but to the tremendously profound understanding of sin which only the Holy Spirit in me realizes. The love of God at work in me makes me hate with the hatred of the Holy Spirit all that is not in keeping with God’s holiness”.
The words and message and responsibility (1 John 1:7) are expanding in my mind and lingering there.
IF we walk in the light the Blood of Jesus cleanses ALL sin - conscious and subconscious. Under the curse, I received from Adam the flesh/carnal nature/the very disposition of sin. From my birth as an infant I was disposed to sin. God sees in me the capability of breaking all ten commandments – to commit the very wicked sins that horrify me. Over past years haven’t my thoughts confirmed that truth? I dare not be casual about God’s declaration (Proverbs 23:7) as you think in your heart is what you are! So – how come – now -? THE BLOOD OF JESUS!!! How priceless is the precious Blood of Jesus! Have I ever been flattened speechless before God because of the astounding scope of the Atonement? Now because I have (1 Corinthians 2:16) the mind of Christ I am enabled (2 Corinthians 10:5) to take every thought captive to obey Him.
We must never enter a communion Service with our minds filled with other thoughts or plans. Remember and tremble - - these elements are the symbol of God’s terrifying hatred of sin and the deadly anguish of Jesus to achieve atonement. Just as baptism is the symbol to remember His resurrection and all it means – the communion elements are the symbols to remember His death and all it cost. My gratitude should be staggering – that I (sinful me) can actually know that (2 Peter 1:4) I am a partaker of the Divine nature and indwelt by Deity through the Atonement in the Blood of Jesus. Cherubim and seraphim have (Ephesians 1:6) not greater access to the Almighty Sovereign God of the universe than I do because I am accepted in His Beloved Son. What overwhelming privilege and security! The Atonement MUST be the reason – the foundation – the power – for all I am and have and do. The voice of the Holy Spirit was so near and precious to me as He brought these thoughts and this deepening awareness.
Only God knows all there is to know about me. He knows me through and through. The darkness over the deep could be sin or confusion – or misunderstanding – or lack of knowledge. The waters with their waves and storms are the circumstances of my life. The face of the waters is the way my life is facing and heading.
Now what? I want the (Oswald Chambers) “unmistakable witness of the Spirit of God that I have been crucified with Christ. I want to be so identified with Jesus that I am spoilt for everything else but Him”.
Some time ago a wise friend pointed out that my attitude had been ungracious in a particular instance. That rebuke was correct and necessary so I talked to the Lord about it and asked Him not only to cleanse and forgive me but also that I would learn from it. I experienced the truth of (Proverbs 27:6). Faithful are the wounds of a friend. My body is the temple of the Holy Spirit and therefore every word and deed and attitude which originates in the temple (Colossians 3:17) and comes from the temple should be considered sacred as an offering to God for His glory so that He can establish me (2 Thessalonians 2:17) in every good word and work. As far as this world is concerned (Colossians 3:3) I have died and my real life is hidden with Christ in God. The sanctified life is totally secure because it has Almighty God in and behind it. The most difficult thing is to go wrong if only I will heed God’s warnings and keep in the light. In the “hidden” life only Jesus can be seen.
The foundation for all our faith and security is FIVE WORDS – “God said – and there was”. Jesus said that He would never leave us and that He would prepare a place for us to be with Him. Do we ever wonder if He really meant it or might change His mind? Of course not! The WORD of our God (Isaiah 40:8) will stand forever. Because of these FIVE WORDS another verse (1 Thessalonians 5:18) set up camp in my mind. In everything give thanks for this is the will of God concerning you. Everything – whatever I’m in and whatever I’m going through (excluding sin of course). Why should I and how can I? Because this is God’s will concerning me based on His all-wise, all-loving concern for me. No matter what comes or when - my faith cannot be shaken if I am grounded on my FIVE WORD foundation. Certainly I could never give thanks for anything contrary to God’s will. Jesus is the revealer and mediator of God’s will for me so I can truly be thankful for whatever – pleasant or unpleasant – as long as I am walking in the light. No matter what – I am never alone and can continually rejoice in God’s never-failing loving presence because godliness with contentment (1 Timothy 6:6) is great gain.
No matter my circumstances or situation – my relationship with Jesus can be more fragrant than lilacs after the rain. On the mountain with God I can look down on my circumstances and though I may not understand everything, I can see them from God’s perspective - - - and give thanks. God’s love and wisdom are never diminished by my circumstances but only revealed and expressed in them.
Ah, with what rest of bliss
Christ can fill the loving heart.
P.S. I’ve added something to my prayers for unsaved loved ones. I’m asking the Holy Spirit to brood – hover over and move in their hearts and minds to prepare them for that moment when God says – let there be light – and the Light of the world Himself shines into their darkness and overcomes it.
