THE GLORY THAT SUPPLIES NEED -- Monday:
" . . . according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus" KJV. " (Philippians 4:19b)
From the dawn of human history, Satan has sought to convince men God is withholding from them. To Eve he said, "For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil" (Gen 3:5) – as though God was withholding something precious from her. To this very day, there are those who imagine coming into Christ begins a life of restriction, where enjoyable things are withheld, and we must live in misery. But this is a gross misrepresentation of the case. In Christ, we come into the realm of "riches," "abundance," and exceeding greatness – all of which produce real joy and lasting satisfaction.
"His riches in glory" refer to the Divine depository from which the supplies are dispensed. Romans 9:23 affirms that "the riches of His glory" are reserved for the "vessels of mercy." Ephesians 3:16 reminds us we are strengthened within by those very "riches." The idea is that when the Living God fastens His attention upon an individual, it is not possible for that person to suffer need. Just as it is not possible for the sun to rise to its zenith and darkness still prevail, so it is not possible for God to surround us with His Presence and "need" remain. That is why the Psalmist cried, "Look upon mine affliction and my pain" (Psa 25:18), and "Look Thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as Thou usest to do unto those that love Thy name" (Psa 119:132). A penitent Israel cried, "Return, we beseech Thee, O God of hosts: look down from heaven, and behold, and visit this vine" (Psa 80:14).
While there is a sense in which the eyes of the Lord are always upon His people (Psa 45:15; 1 Pet 3:12), there is also a sense in which He FOCUSES upon them, to do them good. There is a time when, as John, we are brought even higher into the presence of the Lord – a time when the Lord is so dominant nothing else matters. David called it "a day in Thy courts" (Psa 84:10). John referred to it as being "in the Spirit on the Lord's day" (Rev 1:10).
It is out of the glory of such times that God richly supplies our need. As He is seen more clearly, the need experienced in this world is gloriously met. There will be no sense of lack or want during such occasions.
But these riches are not simply conferred upon us. They are "by (or "in" NASB, NIV) Christ Jesus." The word "by" means they are administered by Jesus. The word "in" emphasizes that Jesus is the Environment in which they are supplied. The point is that God always deals with His people "by Christ Jesus." The more extensive our fellowship with Christ (1 Cor 1:9), the more abundant is God's supply. In my judgment, the persuasion of this is what taught Paul to be content in any condition, whether it was one of abundance or of need. Once our hearts are persuaded that we are "complete in Him" (Col 2:10), we will look for supplies ONLY from our God.
In teaching us to pray, Jesus expressed our reliance upon the Lord for daily need. "Give us this day our daily bread" (Matt 6:11). And how will He do this? Not infrequently, it will be when there appears there is no bread at all. Yet, in such times, if the heart still seeks first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, the need will be met. Thus Paul has shared with the Philippians the complete adequacy of salvation at all times and under all circumstances.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank Your for the complete adequacy and thorough satisfaction that are in Your Son.