“In Heart, In Hand"

"In Heart, In Hand"

     God's supply always precedes our need, even as the Apostle John referred to the Lord Jesus Christ as "the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world" (Revelation 13:8).  Before the human race ever existed, and before we sinned, our Heavenly Father purposed that His Son's sacrifice would make atonement for us.  Such grace applied to those who looked forward to the coming Christ of the Old Testament, even as it redeems those who look back to the crucified and risen Lord Jesus of the New.  Salvation has always been about the Savior, who in the heart and mind of God, has always been the supply to human need.  "My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19).

    Of course, the Old Testament saints did not see redemption to the degree that born again believers experience in the age of grace.  Nor do we fully apprehend the salvation of Christ - "we see through a glass darkly" (I Corinthians 13:12).  We walk by faith in God's provision.  Thus, the supply of Christ may precede our need, but we do not always view  in hand the grace given.  We must often wait for the manifestation of our Lord's gifts.  We do not wait, however, to believe and affirm that He already has our answer, provision, solution, and deliverance purposed and ready for the best time of appearing.   "When the fullness of time was come, God sent forth His Son" (Galatians 4:4).  The truth of the matter is that Christ Himself is our provision, or as my wife Frances often says, "Having Him, we have all".

    We have not yet seen the Lord Jesus, but we know He is our Savior.  We have in heart that which we have yet to view with our eyes.  "The Spirit beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of God" (Romans 8:16).  The principle applies in countless other ways regarding our walk of faith.  We believe and thank our Heavenly Father for the provision whereby He supplies all our need "by Christ Jesus".  We also wait for the appearing and application of such provision.  We might say that we have in heart that which we will have in hand.  Some things will not be manifested until after this lifetime.  But many graces affirmed will become graces appearing as we trust in the Christ who is Himself the essence of God's provision.  Having Him, we have all.  And having Him, we will have all.  Now and always in heart, then in hand according to God's perfect wisdom and timing.

"Before they call, I will answer."

(Isaiah 65:24)

"Yet a little while, and He that shall come will come, and will not tarry."

(Hebrews 10:37)

Weekly Memory Verse

     We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

(II Corinthians 4:7