“…He that earns wages, earns wages to put into a bag with holes.” Haggai 1:6
Dear Ones:
It is a very frustrating thing to try to fill a sac, and never be able to, because there is a hole in the bottom of it. Such was the experience of Israel when, after returning from exile, and begun work on the temple, but was delayed, and hindered in completing it. The Lord tells her: “You have sown much, and bring in little; You eat, but you do not have enough. You drink, but you are not filled with drink; you are clothed, but there is no warmth; he that earns wages, earns wages to put into a bag with holes.” (Hag. 1:6) In the New Testament, we might equate in some measure, the Lord’s words when He stood and cried: “If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink.” (Jn.7:37) This “thirst” is that conscious need of the heart, and emptiness, about which the Lord spoke to the Samaritan woman: “Whosoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst.” (Jn. 4:14) Is it possible to know no lack of heart, and soul, … and thus to be satisfied? The people of Israel were dissatisfied in their day because they were not following the Lord fully. They had a measure of blessing, but not His fullness. Those in Jesus’ day, whom He addressed, were equally, if not more thirsty. Most had not even “tasted and seen that the Lord is good.” And yet, David declared in eloquent simplicity that he KNEW what satisfaction of mind, heart, and soul was: “The Lord is my Shepherd: I SHALL NOT WANT.” (Ps. 23:1) Are we satisfied, or is our experience of the Lord one where there is always a consciousness of being empty, or half full?
Satisfaction manifests itself by the peace which Christ gives. It is a rest of heart and mind, not a passivity of the soul. It is being secure in the resources of the indestructible, sufficient life of Christ, for every need. This does not mean that there is not a desire in the soul to go higher, farther, in our fellowship with Christ. But it does mean there is a sense, and conviction, of security which God alone provides. Paul calls it a “peace that passes understanding…which keeps (…or guards) the heart and mind.” (Phil. 4:7)
Many years ago, a youth leader in France was to speak to a group of young people in a chapel one morning. He got up, and the first words out of his mouth were: “I am DRY.” In other words, he had nothing to say or give, as his soul was dry, and in need of being watered. It was because of his sincerity, honesty, and openness to God, that God met him that day, and the meeting was a most blessed one. Christ came to his aid, in answer to prayer, and his soul was satisfied. His thirst was abated by the blessed presence and blessing of the Holy Spirit. He was able to receive that blessed life-giving water which was then given to others who were thirsty.
Dear Father, when we are thirsty, give us grace to see and understand that Your Son is fully able, and willing to quench that thirst. Give us to be those who come honestly, sincerely, but with open hearts to give You access to all. Give to us that living water, which is Your Spirit, and this in such measure that we too will know the God of peace, that blessed Guardian of our hearts and minds. For, “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you: because he trusts in You.” (Is. 26:3) In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad