“Rejoice thou barren that bearest not, break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.” Galatians 4:27
Dear Ones:
From the very beginning of the Bible, man is confronted with a contrast, one that is so very great and wonderful, that it is impossible to truly, and completely, take in. It has to do with the ways of God as opposed to the ways of man. Adam, before sin entered into the world, was in conformity with God in mind and heart. Though he was not God, but a creation of God, he could only know the ways of God to a certain extent. There was no dissonance in communion with God, but there were limitations to his capacity to grasp, and understand the enormity of God’s works and ways, as opposed to his own. When sin entered into the world, that difference between the ways of God and man, grew exponentially, only in a different direction. Not only was the difference between the Creator and the created, measured in scope and magnitude, but now, it was different by virtue of its very nature. There would be a chasm of “repulsion” and separation between the holy and the unholy, the Divine and the sinner. It would only be by a cross, that the Son of God would bridge the repulsion and wrath of God toward the sinner, to bring him again into a right relationship with his Creator. In this context, and at this time, today, what are God’s ways that apply to the believer who truly desires to live and walk by the Spirit?
In the book of Isaiah, chapter 54, we read a passage that Paul refers to in his letter to the believers in Galatia. It is a very important passage as it illustrates the ways of man, as contrasted with that of God. Isaiah begins by writing: “Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child.” (v.1) Why does he begin with this call to rejoice in the face of an impossible, and a deeply personal and emotional circumstance? It is because of what God will do, according to His way, the way of faith. The impossibility of man becomes a possibility with God, but only according to His way. What then is this way, this way faith, and how does it work?
It begins with the declaration of God: “‘…for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife,’ says the Lord.” As it was in the beginning of the world, when God “SPOKE” the whole of creation into existence, so it is now. He speaks, and we are called upon to believe Him above all that we can see or even comprehend. Why? Because His ways are indeed “past finding out.” Does this mean that we cannot know them? No, but it does mean that on this earth, we will never COMPLETELY know them…there are limits. What He has provided us with is a pattern, a “WAY,” and a “MEANS.” T. Bimney wrote: “There is a way for man to rise, to that sublime abode; An Offering and a Sacrifice, A Holy Spirit’s energies, an Advocate with God.” God HAS provided a way, far beyond all those of men, whereby the individual believer can rise to fellowship with the living God. The whole basis for it has been eternally established by the unalterable, and unique, sacrifice of Christ. The response of man is to believe God, to lay hold of Christ alone according to His word, and derive all from Him, who IS the believer’s life…and power.
Dear Father, How we thank Thee that Your way is that of faith, faith in Your faithfulness, according to what You have said. We thank Thee for the singular sacrifice of Thy Son, which declares to us, not only Your desire, but Your WILL, that all men should be saved. We thank Thee that You have called, and destined us, to walk in fellowship with the Lord Jesus, by the power of the Holy Spirit. Grant that it shall be so, today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad