“Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord: His going forth is prepared as the morning; and He shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.” Hosea 6:3
Dear Ones:
What is it about the heart of God that is so very different from that of sinful man? In Scripture, we find that we can only approximate, or contemplate, in some small way, the magnitude and nature of God. The true, though limited, knowledge of God can only be grasped by the willingness of God to reveal Himself by the Spirit, and according to the written word. What then is that one thing that we must grasp, which puts us on the path of seeing the blessing of God? The Lord Jesus expressed a perpetual truth when He said: “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending.” (Rev. 1:8) Why consider this aspect of God, in Christ, when looking at the blessing of God? It is because He IS the beginning, or originator, of the blessing. When God created the world, and the universe, it was a pure and good, magnificent blessing. As we see in chapter four of Revelation, the multitudes of heaven, as well as the cherubim mentioned in the Old Testament, bless Him who made the heaven and earth. Even in the midst of final judgments on the earth, the result of sin, the great call is: “…and worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.” (Rev. 14:7) The reason for such a call is the necessity to worship Him from whom ALL blessings flow, the very beginning and essence of the blessing. How can we begin to grasp something of the blessing of God, if we do not begin with the Blessed ONE, whose going forth is prepared as the morning?
Throughout the Old Testament, we find clearly laid out before us the testimony of what sin is, and the effects of it. The lack of what we might see as the blessing of God is due to the lack of the revelation, a very real “vision” and perspective of the goodness and mercy of God. However, God throughout history works in men and nations, to bring individuals to a consciousness, and conviction of their need. When the need becomes acute, man calls out to the God of the blessing, for there is no other answer. As the heart calls upon God, He is not far off from responding. Indeed, He hears clearly the call, and will only delay if HIs purposes, and the manifestation of His glory, will be revealed in a greater manner. The great truth here which needs to be seen, and believed in, is that God is a God of blessing, and this in no small measure.
The heart and the purpose of God are clearly revealed, with regard to the matter of blessing, in Paul’s epistle to the Ephesians. He writes: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with ALL spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.” (1:) Coupled with this declaration is the proclamation to the Colossian believers: “For in Him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in Him, which is the head of ALL principality and power.” (2:9-10) There is no doubt that the heart of God is one which gives fully to that one whom He loves. He does so because of what He is, true and everlasting love. With regard to salvation, and victory, there is nothing less than His fulness that is given. In Christ, the Father has given to the believer the answer and resource for every need. The issue then becomes whether or not we are persuaded, and convinced, of these unalterable truths? If so, then we will be like Elijah, who, knowing that it was the will of God to send abundant rain after a drought of three and a half years, climbed Mt. Carmel, and prayed until he saw it coming.
Dear Father, Open our eyes to see that you have blessed us fully, and will to reveal it in us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad