THE CENTRALITY OF THE WORD OF GOD God's kingdom involves the implementation of His objectives in inscrutable wisdom. In the reconciliation of man, He has chosen to execute these purposes within an arena of intelligent personalities. His purpose in Christ is not fulfilled by manipulating men, but by appealing to them. Tomorrow:
"I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for THOU HAST MAGNIFIED THY WORD ABOVE ALL THY NAME." (Psa 138:2) ". . . for You have exalted above all else Your name and Your word and You have magnified Your word above all Your name!" (Amplified Bible)
Devotion 2 of 30
Divine appeals have a twofold characteristic. First, they are an exact reflection of the desire of the living God. They are truthful, precise, and earnest. Second, if believed, they have a powerful, constraining influence. This is because they are perfectly adapted to man. Once embraced, the appeals enable him to experience a fullness of joy, and a liberty of expression that is not otherwise possible.
The foundation for all blessing from God is divine objective – "eternal purpose" (Eph. 3:11), OR the "will of the Lord" (Eph. 5:17). Comprehension must undergird man's participation in the will of God. His purpose must be perceived; His objective must be understood. This is the reason for the fervent prayer of the apostle Paul for the Ephesian believers. "For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, that He would grant you . . . to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man . . . that ye may be able . . . to comprehend . . . what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height . . . that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God" (Eph. 3:14-19). This "inner" strength is required for spiritual discernment. It fortifies man's essential nature, and permits him to grasp the mind of the Lord.
God's purpose is wide in its expanse, liberal, and characterized by a large horizon. It has "breadth". It stretches from "before the foundation of the world" (Matt. 25:34) into "the ages to come" (Eph. 2:7). It has "length." It is characterized by profound wisdom, divine perfection, and meticulous workings (Rom. 11:33). It has "depth." This purpose has touched high and lofty realms. God Himself has permeated it with His love (Titus 3:4). The Son of God emptied Himself in order to become a part of it (Phil 2:6-7). The Spirit of God has become involved in it (John 16:8-11). The holy angels have become an unquestionable part of it (Heb. 1:113-14). It has "height".
HIS DESIRE TO MAKE HIS PURPOSE KNOWN
Although the fullness of God's purpose in Christ was "kept secret from the foundation of the world" (Matt. 13:35; Rom. 16:25-26), it did not delight the Lord to do so. He does not take pleasure in secrecy. Since "the world began," God had determined to provide a way for man to recover from the fall. Its early secrecy was not mandated by God's nature, but by man's dullness. Due to man's sin, the Lord was not able to clearly articulate His objective to him. Man's understanding had become darkened because of his choice of sin (Eph. 4:18). However, God was so determined to unveil His will that He began preparing man for its reception. His varied dealings with men, together with the giving of the law, were preparative measures. They readied men for the revelation of "the mystery."
The prophet Jeremiah received a revelation concerning the nature of God – a revelation that may now be perceived. "Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: but let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord" (Jer. 9:23-24).
You will observe that God takes delight in man knowing and understanding Him. It is, further, the knowledge of the purpose of God that reveals His character and manners. There, in the execution of His good pleasure, the person of God is unveiled. And, mark this well, God takes joy when men know and understand Him – when they comprehend His person and understand His will. No God of human making is so characterized!
Those who proclaim a mysterious God and bring confusion concerning His word are contradicting God's purpose. The worship of God is not promoted by an ignorance of Him. Men do not stand in awe of God simply because they cannot understand His ways. If that were the case, worship and adoration would have been more predominant under Moses than under Christ. The greater revelation of Christ has produced a clearer view of God. The result has been a realization of an unprecedented level of God's good pleasure.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for wanting to make Yourself known to men.