“Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes.” Isaiah 54:2
Dear Ones:
From a historical standpoint, we discover that great advancements have been made in the fields of science and technology by going beyond the existing bounds of knowledge and understanding. This thought and reality begs the question, “What is it that we have not yet seen, discovered, or known?” That same question can be asked with regard to God, and Christ, specifically. What is that the Lord seeks to reveal to us that we just do not grasp because we are not willing to follow Him in its realization?
To begin to answer this question, let us consider the heart and mind of God. Immediately we are faced with that which is beyond the capacity of man to fully grasp. If it has not even entered into the heart and mind of man what God has prepared for those who love Him, how can we SAY that we have truly grasped the extent of His intentions and will? Let us begin our search by looking at what God says about Himself. This will help us in grasping something of His perspective and purpose.
To Israel, through Moses, God would declare His name to be, “I AM THAT I AM.” (Ex. 3:14) What does this tell us? It reveals to us that God does NOT live and dwell only in time and space, but in eternity. It is therefore inconceivable that He would deal with us without an eternal perspective. All of a sudden, this elevates our thoughts beyond this earth and time, into the vast extent of eternity, forever settled in heaven. In light of this reality, what is the value of an eternal soul? A second revelation of God is again given to us by Moses, when God revealed His glory to him, and said: “The Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth.” (Ex. 34:6) An entire book could be written on this declaration, and still not begin to sound its fathomless meaning. But one thing we see is that towards US, His creation and the object of His love and care, He would have us to grasp, understand, and believe, that in ALL of His dealings with us, He IS forever, and constantly merciful, gracious, long-suffering, good and truthful. Is He not then worthy of our entire trust? Thirdly, there is the most explicit, magnificent, and holistic revelation of His nature, purpose, and intention in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. Herein is revealed first a love and purity that is not of this world, but which is abundantly, powerfully, and overwhelmingly declared and demonstrated to us. That the eternal God would love us in our plight, hopeless condition and lost estate, to give that which was the supreme expression of His heart and mind to save us, should bring us to ask this question again: What truly is it that God desires to reveal to us in order to take us beyond that which we “ask or think,” in order to bring about FULLY His purposes for His glory, and our blessing? It is simply this. God has given us ALL (all things good and worthy, heavenly and earthly), IN CHRIST, in order that, that which is eternal might be truly known, grasped, and given to others. He has given us LIFE, the very Life of Christ, by the Spirit, that we should have Him IN ABUNDANCE, in His fullness, to give to others. “Rivers of water,” a wind that blows in a way that we do not know, and a liberating light to penetrate the the darkness of “nature’s night,” …these reveal His purpose, His will, His way, to give deliverance, salvation, freedom, from the enemies of sin and death. His will is to bring us into the fullness of His light, to KNOW Christ, and the power of His resurrection.
Dear Father, blessed good and gracious God, Thou who has not spared Thy Son, give us to understand that you would have us to trust Thee to enlarge our tents, the tents of our hearts, sparing not to trust Thee for the full outworking of Thy will. Give us to live in the great, “clean air” of Thy presence, walking in Thy light, giving to others that which You give to us, for Thy glory and their blessing. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad