The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe
"Abundance - of the Heart"
Presently, God promises inward abundance of the heart always, and at all times. The same cannot be said, however, regarding outward matters of provision. The Apostle Paul confirms…
"Be careful for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God which passeth all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7).
"And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong… the sufferings of Christ abound in us" (II Corinthians 12:9-10; 1:5).
If born again believers in the Lord Jesus are to "walk, even as He walked," we must know not only our Savior's supply, but also His sufferings (I John 2:6). This requires pain, loss, lack, and challenge in countless ways, as administered and allowed by our Heavenly Father's perfect providence.
"For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for His sake" (Philippians 1:29).
"For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life" (II Corinthians 1:8).
In his epistle to the Ephesians, Paul tellingly assured, "God… hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in Heavenly places in Christ" (Ephesians 1:3; emphasis added). The God who "looketh on the heart" focuses on our spirits in this present life, seeking to conform us to the spiritual and moral image of the Lord Jesus (I Samuel 16:7; Romans 8:28-29). This does not discount His generous and frequent provision in earthly, material, and physical matters. It does, however, keep them in their proper place. Humanity exists as a race sorely tempted to fleshly allures that can never serve as the Life of our lives. Believers are not exempt from this deception. As a friend often suggests, our flesh would love for God to serve as "the great concierge of the sky," attending to our every need and desire according to our lusts rather than His love. This He will not do. His unwavering focus on our hearts means He will at times act in a manner that seems to not address outward issues. As another friend once said, "In this life, we need need." Our Heavenly Father answers our prayers and administers His provision accordingly. If "infirmities… reproaches…necessities… persecutions… distresses" best fulfill His Christ-conforming purpose in our lives and the lives of those to whom we minister, He will act accordingly in love and devotion to our deepest need. "Thou hast shown Thy people hard things" (Psalm 60:3).
"Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia, how that in a great trial of affliction, the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality" (II Corinthians 8:1-2).
Our Father presently offers abundance of the heart. "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee, because he trusted in Thee" (Isaiah 26:3). Such grace, however, must often be known amid outward challenges of circumstance, condition, situation, emotion, and sensation. "As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing" (II Corinthians 6:10). Holy things and "hard things" often journey hand in hand, heart in heart in the life of believers. We must accept this difficult truth in order to think Biblically, and also to be prepared to know our Lord's promised peace in all things…
"I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need."
(Philippians 4:12)
Weekly Memory Verse
For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for His sake."
(Philippians 1:29)
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