Word of Encouragement (9/2/2020)
Today, we will talk about the fullness of God’s promises concerning the things that God has promised. Here are some examples:
“No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly” (Ps. 84.11);
“Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD, who walks in his ways! You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you” (Ps. 128:1-2);
“If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you” (John 15:7);
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you…. If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him?” (Matt. 7:7, 11);
“He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things” (Rom. 8:32)?
Here, do not let your doubts creep in, saying, “There is no way that these promises are literally true!” Of course, these promises do not mean that we will enjoy everything God promised at all times. That will be true but only in heaven. As long as we live in this fallen world among sinners in our sinful bodies and yet-to-be-glorified souls (and many reasons that flow from this basic condition), we cannot enjoy the “full” promises of God at all times. If we did, we would not long for heaven, nor the perfection of our salvation in body and soul, nor being in the presence of God forever.
Besides, God did not promise that we will enjoy the fulfillment of these promises whenever and however we want. What God has guaranteed is that all of His people will enjoy all of His promises at all times when we enter into glory in heaven, not in this life: “For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved…” (Rom. 8:22-25); “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison…” (2 Cor. 4:17); “For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling [i.e., the resurrection body]…” (2 Cor. 5:1-2).
Though our full enjoyment of all the promises of God lies in the future in heaven, God whets our appetite for them as we journey through this life. According to His abundant grace and infinite wisdom, and according to our prayer and measure of faith, He grants us different blessings at different times in different measures for His glory and for our good. And if we are in the right frame of mind, our would humbly confess, “Lord, You have not dealt with me according to my sin. You have blessed me far beyond what I deserve. How can I complain?”
God is indeed good. “The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lam. 3:22-23)! Let us trust in Him and pray for His love and mercy to be renewed every morning and multiplied every day! Have a blessed day!