Dear Ones:
There are certain very beautiful phrases in the Word of God which unveil to us, with stark and utter simplicity, the great concept of “fullness,” and what are to be our expectations in knowing this fullness. In Psalm 65:9, we read: “…the river of God is FULL of water.” What does David mean here? The “river” is a flow of water, whether in full measure or less. What is singularly important to grasp is the fact that it is the river OF GOD…or, God’s river, by creation, but also by velocity and fullness. Another writer in the psalms wrote, “…there is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the Most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved.” (Ps. 46:4-5) There is a definite effect of the flowing of this river.
Let us return to the “beautiful phrases” concerning fullness. In Psalm 104:16, we read: “…the trees of the Lord are FULL of sap.” Again, we have a picture of fullness, but this time, in a plant, a tree….but note, “…the trees OF THE LORD.” The point that arises out of the consideration of these two illustrations is this: that which is the creation of God, belonging to God, sustained by God, has for its purpose to be filled, with water or the sap. If this is so in God’s nature, how do we interpret the words: “…be FILLED with the Spirit?” What about the illustration of John 15, where we have the True Vine (Christ), and the believer, as a branch of that Vine? Are we created like the river, and the trees of Lebanon, and ultimately as a branch in union with the Eternal Vine, to be less than FULL of water, sap, and primarily the Spirit? Why do we not live a “filled” and “fulfilled” life? It is because of a “little vision” of the reality of our union, purpose, and the provision of God in Christ. And secondly, it is because of “little faith,” faith which has not been adequately nourished on the truths of our Great Salvation, and strengthened by the Spirit.
When Jesus saw the paralytic lying before Him, after his friends had uncovered the roof of the house to let him down in front of Jesus, the Lord said to him, “Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.” (Luke 5:20) Can ALL of this man’s sins be forgiven, and washed away, in one moment of time? Do we grasp what the Lord is saying here? This is not a “little stream” situation. The Lord goes on to tell the man point-blank: “I say unto you, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go in to thine house.” (v.24) In order for this to occur, the power of God would need to go FULLY through that man’s body to heal him. Otherwise, he will limp, and creep home. He was FULLY healed. The point is this: God’s will is FULLNESS, the fullness of the Spirit, the fullness of the knowledge of His will…the fullness of blessing.
What are to be our expectations? They will be in accordance with the vision that God gives, and the strength that God gives to believe. And yet, though we have feet of clay, and our faith is not perfect, nor our vision complete, let us rest and rejoice in the fact that, “…(He…God…) is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think according to the power that worketh in us…unto Him be the glory.” (Eph. 6:20) Let us believe Him for His highest and best…for His glory.
Love, Dad