Galatians 4 verses 1 to 18

 

After working on Galatians 4 verses 1 to 18 for a couple of hours, I think I finally understand what I am reading. And what breaks my heart is the fact that Paul's heart was actually breaking as he wrote these words to the Galatian believers. I wonder how many tears fell on his scroll as he recorded his feeling for these people he loved so deeply? Paul sets out the whole idea of adoption in the first 7 verses. We have been born again into God's family. We are children of God and by right are heirs of all God offers - redemption through his Son Jesus. But these people were regressing in verses 8 to 11. They were going back into the old laws and abiding by certain traditions. These were actually taking them backwards rather than growing in their faith. Paul was so scared that all he had sought to do was "in vain". In verses 12 to 18 we see Paul's affection for these believers and this is where I can see he is angry but he is speaking in love. He reminds them of how they accepted the message he brought. In fact they saw him as an "angel of God" but now he has become their "enemy". What has happened he asks? He knows the answer. People have come in to the church and drawn them away from their faith. They were stealing their hearts and their love for God. How awful! It is so easy to get caught up in legalism - doing things because it makes a person feel good. Today we can read our bibles, say prayers, attend church, give to charity and try to help our neighbours but it is all acts of righteousness without a genuine knowledge of faith deep in the heart. We need salvation in God alone. He has done it all. We need nothing more and this is where we fall down. We just cannot believe that that is enough ... that somehow we have to earn favour with God in addition to this. We need to realise that he has done it all through his own son Jesus. Are our motives right but our methods wrong?

Galatians 4 verse 1 – 18

Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all.

But is under tutors and governors, until the time appointed of the father.

Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world.

But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law.

To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoptions of sons.

And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods.

But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?

Ye observe days and months, and times and years.

I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.

Brethren, I beseech you, be as I am; for I am as ye are: ye have not injured me at all.

Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first.

And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected, but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.

Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? For I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me.

Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?

They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect them.

But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you.

Be Free by Warren Wiersbe

One of the tragedies of legalism is that it gives the appearance of spiritual maturity when, in reality, it leads the believer back into a “second childhood” of Christian experience.  The Galatian Christians like most believers wanted to grow and go forward or Christ; but the were going about it in the wrong way.  Their experience is not too different from that of Christians today who get involved in various legalistic movements, hoping become better Christians.  Their motives may be right, but their methods are wrong.

This is the truth Paul is trying to get across to his beloved converts in Galatia.  The Judaizers had bewitched them into thinking that the law would make them better Christians.  Their old nature felt an attraction for the law because the law enabled them to do things and measure external results.  As they measured themselves and their achievements, they felt a sense of accomplishment, and no doubt, a little bit of pride.  They thought they were going forward with actually they were regressing.

Paul takes 3 approaches in this section as he seeks to convince the Galatians that they do not need legalism in order to live the Christian life.  They have all they need in Jesus Christ.

1.     He explains their adoption – verses 1 to 7

Among the blessings of the Christians experience is adoption.  We do not enter God’s family by adoption, the way a homeless child would enter a loving family in our own society.  The only way to get into God’s family is by regeneration, being “born again” (John 3 verse 3)

The New Testament word for adoption means “to place as an adult son.”  It has to do with our standing in the family of God; we are not little children but adult sons with all of the privileges of sonship.

We are children of God by faith in Christ, born into God’s family.  But every child of God is automatically placed into the family as a son, and as a son he has all the legal rights and privileges of a son.  When a sinner trusts Christ and is saved, as far as his condition is concerned, he is “spiritual babe” who needs to grow (1 Peter 2 verses 2 and 3); but as far as his position is concerned, he is an adult son who can draw upon the Father’s wealth and who can exercise all the wonderful privileges of sonship.

We enter God’s family by regeneration, but we enjoy God’s family by adoption.  The Christian does not have to wait to begin enjoying the spiritual riches he has in Christ.  “if a son, then an heir of God through Christ”.  Now follows Paul’s discussion about adoption. He reminds his readers of 3 facts.

What we were: children in bondage.  No matter how wealthy a father may be, his infant son or toddling child cannot really enjoy that wealth.  In the Roman world, the children of wealthy people were cared for by slaves.  No matter who his father was, the child was still a child, under the supervision of a servant.  In fact, the child himself was not much different from the servant who guarded him.  The servant was commanded by the master of the house, and the child was commanded by the servant.

This was the spiritual condition of the Jews under the age of the law.  The law, you recall, was the “guardian” that disciplined the nation and prepared the people for the coming of Christ.  So, when the Judaizers led the Galatians back into legalism, they were leading them not only into religious bondage, but also into moral and spiritual infancy and immaturity.

Paul states that the Jews were, like little children, in bondage to “the elements of the world”.  This word elements means the basic principles, the ABC’s.  For some 15 centuries, Israel had been in kindergarten and grade school, learning their “spiritual ABC’s” so that they would be ready when Christ would come.  Then they would get the full revelation for Jesus Christ is “the Alpha and the Omega”.  He encompasses all the alphabet of God’s revelation to man, He is God’s last word (Hebrews 1 verses 1 to 3)

Legalism, then, is not a step toward maturity, it is a step back into childhood.  The law was not God’s final revelation, it was but the preparation for that final revelation in Christ.  It is important that a person know his ABC’s, because they are the foundation for understanding all of the language.  But instead of reading the great literature that is around him, is showing that he is immature and ignorant not mature and wise.  Under the law, the Jews were children in bondage, not sons enjoying liberty.

What God did: redeemed us – verses 4 and 5.  The expression the fulness of the time refers to that time when the world was providentially ready for the birth of the Saviour.  Historians tells us that the Roman world was in great expectation, waiting for a deliverer, at the time when Jesus was born.  The old religions were dying, the old philosophies were empty and powerless to change men’s lives. Strange new mystery religions were invading the empire.  Religious bankruptcy and spiritual hunger were everywhere  God was preparing the world for he arrival for his son.

From the historical point of view, the Roman Empire itself helped prepare the world for the birth of the saviour.  Roads connected city with city and all cities ultimately with Rome.  Roman soldiers guarded the peace.  Thanks to both the Greek and Roman conquests, Latin and Greek were known across the Empire.  Christ’s birth at Bethlehem was not an accident; it was an appointment.  Jesus came in “the fullness of the time”.  (And it is worth noting, that he will come again when the time is ready.)

Paul is careful to point out the dual nature of Jesus Christ, that he is both God and man.  As God, Jesus “came forth” but as man, he was “made of a woman”.  The ancient promise said that the Redeemer would be of “the woman’s seed” (Genesis 3 verse 15) and Jesus fulfilled that promise (Isaiah 7 verse 14 and Matthew 1 verses 18 – 25).

Paul has told us who came – God’s Son, he has told us when he came and how he came.  Now he explains why he came: “to redeem them that were under the law”.  Redeem is the same word Paul used earlier; it means “to set free by paying a price.”  A man could purchase a slave in any Roman city (there were about 60,000,000 slaves in the empire), either to keep the slave for himself or to set him free.  Jesus came to set us free.  So to go back into the law is to undo the very work of Christ on the cross.  He did not purchase us to make us slaves, but son!  Under law, the Jews were more children, but under grace, the believer is a son of God with an adult standing in God’s family. What we are: sons and heirs.  Once again the whole Trinity is involved in our spiritual experience: God the Father sent the Son to die for us, and God the Son sent his Spirit to live in us.  The contrast here is not between immature children and adult sons, but between servants and sons.  Like the prodigal son, the Galatians wanted their Father to accept them as servants, when they really wee sons.  The contrasts are easy to see.

For example:

The son has the same nature as the father, but the servant does not.  When we trust Christ, the Holy Spirit comes to live within us; and this means we are "partakers of the divine nature” (2 Peter 1 verse 4).  The law could never give a person God’s nature within.  All it could do was reveal to the person his desperate need for God’s nature.  So when the believer goes back into law, he is denying the very divine nature within, and he is giving the old nature (the flesh) opportunity to go to work.

The son has a father, while the servant has a master.  No servant could ever say “Father” to his master.  When the sinner trusts Christ, he receives the Holy Spirit within and the Spirit tells him that he is a child of the Father.  It is natural for a baby to cry, but not for a baby to talk to his father.  When the Spirit enters the heart, he says, “Abba, Father” and in response the believer cries “Abba Father!”  The word Abba is an Aramaic word that is the equivalent of our English word “papa”.  This shows the closeness of the child to the Father.  No servant has this.

The son obeys out of love, while the servant obeys out of fear.  The Spirit works in the heart of the believer to quicken and increase his love for God.  “The fruit of the Spirit is love.”  “The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit.”  The Judaizers told the Galatians that they would become better Christians by submitting to the law, but the law can never produce obedience.  Only love can do that.  “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”

The son is rich while the servant is poor.  We are both “sons and heirs”.  And since we are adopted – placed as adult sons in the family – we may begin drawing upon our inheritance right now.  God has made available to us the riches of his grace (Ephesians 1 verse 7; 2 verse 7), the riches of his glory (Philippians 4 verse 19), the riches of his goodness (Romans 2 verse 4) and the riches of his wisdom (Romans 11 verse 33) – an all of the riches of God are found in Christ (Colossians 1 verse 19; 2 verse 3).

The son has a future, while the servant does not.  While many kind masters did provide for their slaves in old age, it was not required of them.  The father always provides for the son (2 Corinthians 12 verse 14).

In one sense, our adoption is not et final, because we are awaiting the return of Christ and the redemption of our bodies (Romans 8 verse 23).  Some scholars think that this second stage in our adoption corresponds to the Roman practice when a man adopted someone outside his family to be his son.  First there was a private ceremony at which the son was purchased; then there was a public ceremony at which the adoption was declared openly before the officials.

Christians have experienced the first stage: we have been purchased by Christ and indwelt by the Spirit.  We are awaiting the second stage: the public declaration at the return of Christ when “we shall be like him” (1 John 3 verses 1 to 3).  We are “sons and heirs” and the best part of our inheritance is yet to come (1 Peter 1 verses 1 to 5).

He laments their regression - verses 8 to 11

What really happened when the Galatians turned from grace to law?  To begin with they abandoned liberty for bondage.  When they were ignorant sinners, they had served their false gods and had experienced the tragedy of such pagan slavery.  But then they trusted Christ and been delivered from superstition and slavery.  Now they were abandoning their liberty in Christ and going back into bondage.  They were "dropping out" of the school of grace and enrolling in the kindergarten of law!  They wee destroying all the good work the Lord had done in them through Paul's ministry

The phrase weak and beggarly elements tells us the extent of their regression.  They were giving up the power of the Gospel for the weakness of law and the wealth of the gospel for the poverty of law.  The law never made anybody rich or powerful.  On the contrary, the law could only reveal man's weakness and spiritual bankruptcy.  No wonder Paul weeps over these believers, as he sees them abandon liberty for bondage, power for weakness and wealth for poverty.

How were they doing this?  By adopting the Old Testament system of religion with its special observations of "days and months and times and years" verse 10.

If we observe special days like slaves, hoping to gain some spiritual merit then we are sinning.  But if in the observance we express our liberty in Christ and let the Spirit enrich us with his grace, then the observance can be a spiritual blessing.  If a man thinks he is saving his soul or automatically growing in grace because of a religious observance, then he is guilty of legalism.

He seeks their affection - verses 12 to 18

Now he turns from "spanking" to "embracing" as he reminds the believers of their love for him and his love for them.  At one point they were willing to sacrifice anything for Paul so great was their love but now he had become their enemy.  The Judaisers have come in and stolen their affection.

Paul commends them for the way they received him in spite of the way he looked. To them he was an angel of God.  It is a wonderful thing when people accept God's servants not because of their outward appearance but because they represent the Lord and bring his message.

Now Paul asks them "what has happened to that love?"  What has happened to the blessedness - the happiness - you experienced when you heard the gospel and trusted Christ?  Of course Paul knew what had happened: the Judaisers had come in and stolen their hearts.

One of the marks of a false teacher is that he tries to attract other men's converts to himself and not simply to the truth of the Word or to the person of Jesus Christ.  It was not the Judaisers who originally came to Galatia and led them to Christ, it was Paul.  These false teachers were not winning lost sinners to Christ but were stealing converts from those who were truly serving the Lord.  Paul had proved to be their loving friend.  He had "become as they were" by identifying himself with them - verse 12 - now they were turning away from Paul and following false shepherds.

Paul told them the truth but the Judaisers told them lies.  Paul sought to glorify Christ but the Judaisers glorified themselves and their converts.  These people were zealous to win you over but for no good. What they want is to alienate you from us so that you may be zealous for them - verse 17.

A true servant of God does not "use people" to build himself up or his work; he ministers in love to help people know Christ better and glorify him.  Paul had proved his love to the Galatians by telling them the truth but they would not accept it.  They were enjoying the "kisses" of the Judaisers, not realising that these kisses were leading them into bondage and sorrow.  Christ had made them sons and heirs, but they were rapidly becoming slaves and beggars.  They had not lost the experience of salvation - they were still Christians but they were kissing the enjoyment of their salvation and finding satisfaction in their works instead.  Sad to say, they did not realise their losses.  They actually thought they were becoming better Christians by substituting law for grace and the religious deeds of the flesh for the fruit of the Spirit.

Aging with Grace - Elisabeth's Story

 

AGING WITH GRACE

Flourishing in an Anti-aging Culture

By Sharon W Betters & Susan Hunt

In the story of Elizabeth, we will see that sometimes we don’t recognise the fruit of a life rooted in Jesus until confronted with the challenges of aging.

The motif of a barren wife being fruitful runs throughout Scripture, beginning with Sarah, who laughed at the idea of flourishing since she was past the age of childbearing.  The Lord’s question then is his question now, to us: “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” Genesis 18 verse 14.

When the angel announced the birth of Jesus, young Mary asked how it could be possible for a virgin to be fruitful and multiply.  The angel answered with an explanation and an example.

Explanation: “And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy – the son of God” Luke 1 verse 35.

Example: “And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren.  For nothing will be impossible with God” Luke 1 verses 36 and 37.

The angel explained the gospel wonder of the Holy Spirit giving life and gave a flesh and blood example – Elizabeth – to show the power of the gospel to do the impossible in and through us.  The gospel story written into Elizabeth’s story can be true for us because the storyline is the same: when the Holy Spirit gives us a new heart, it is possible for us to flourish and be fruitful spiritually even in old age because God has spoken and he will do it – Ezekiel 36 verses 26 – 36

Luke 1 verses 5 to 7

Elisabeth and Zacharias lived in a time when spiritual darkness hung like a menacing cloud over God’s people.  It had been about 400 years since God’s people heard his voice and many believed he had forgotten his promise.  Israel turned away from God to a religion of works and self-righteousness. The political climate was chaotic under King Herod’s terrifying reign.  The Old Testament ends with the promise that the sun will rise when the light of the world, Messiah, comes and destroys the darkness – Malachi 3 verses 16 to 18; 4 verses 1 to 3.  Elisabeth and Zacharias hoped in this promise.

Both Elisabeth and Zacharias were descendants of Aaron, the original high priest chosen by God to represent the people before him and to butcher the lambs brought for sacrifice.  Their parents’ tenacious belief in God’s promised Redeemer showed up in their children’s names: Zacharias means “God remembers”.  Elisabeth means “oath of God” or “my God has sworn”.  Both families passed on to their children their hope in the promises of God.

Biblical hope is the rich soil of flourishing.  But how do we live as we wait for hope to become reality?  Elisabeth’s life shows how hope and waiting intertwine.  These words are often used interchangeably, depending on the English translation, as in Psalm 25 verse 3:

“No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame.” (NIV)

“Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame.” (ESV)

Hope and wait are often used in the same verse “And now O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you” Psalm 39 verse 7.

What does waiting in hope look like in daily life?

“They who wait (hope) for the Lord shall renew their strength: they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40 verses 31

The root meaning for wait in this passage is “to bind together (perhaps by twisting).

This is not a picture of a string tied around a bundle of newspapers but rather strings that are intertwined.  When a rope of many strands is used to pull a heavy load, the weight of the load stretches the strings, pulling them tighter together.  The harder the job, the more tightly wound the strings become.  Wait is an action word.  Isaiah explains that waiting with hope, a sometimes exhausting journey, means twisting ourselves around the Lord and binding ourselves to him  when we cling to him, a supernatural exchange slowly but surely happens: his strength becomes our strength.  The harder the waiting, the more tightly wound are we to him.  Elisabeth was probably familiar with this promise; her life shows us the fruit of hopeful waiting.  Instead of becoming weak spiritually as she aged, she soared like an eagle as she was increasingly satisfied with the Lord.

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name” ... who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” Palm 103 verses 1 and 5

We meet Elisabeth when she is an old woman; Luke reminds us 3 times she is old. She is an unlikely example of a woman aging with grace because she experienced a life of barrenness, yet she is called blameless.  Barren refers to land incapable of producing vegetation.  It means unproductive, infertile, unfruitful, sterile, waste, desolate.  It’s the opposite of flourishing.  So immediately we know this is a story of the reversals accomplished by God’s grace.  As we ask Elisabeth how we can flourish even in old age, I imagine her, with twinkling eyes, calling back to us, “Listen to my story and see how God taught me to die to self and twist myself around him by waiting in hope, even when he denied me the desire of my heart.”

Like many devout young Jewish girls, Elisabeth probably hoped God would choose her to bear the promised Messiah. She longed to be fruitful and multiply, but experienced the grief of barrenness and the gut-wrenching pain of judgement and gossip from her neighbours who believed childlessness was a curse from God, a punishment for some sin and most likely the woman’s fault.  She also bore the shame of not bearing a son to carry on the family name, and the fear of not having a son to care for Zacharias and her in their old age.  Did she ever cry to Zacharias, as Rachel did to Jacob, “Give me children or I shall die!” Genesis 30 verse 1?

Think of the sorrow passing between husband and wife when Elisabeth looked into Zacharias' hopeful eyes, month after month, and silently shook her head no.  Imagine the deep grief when menopause came and they knew they would never conceive.  Consider Elisabeth’s private struggle to understand her identity and role when she could not bear a son.  But through it all, Scripture tells us what determined their response to their pain and disappointment.  Their status was “righteous before God” – he declared them justified by his grace.  They flourished by “walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord” Luke 1 verse 6.  This description tells us that whether happy or broken-hearted, they confidently declared their hope in God by living according to his word.  They thought biblically and they lived covenantally.  We don’t know the specifics of how this played out in Elisabeth’s life but consider some of the possible implications for her.

·       Her marriage flourished.  She died to her expectations and learned to comfort and encourage her husband rather than withdraw into her own pain.  This strand of three cords became stronger – Ecclesiastes 4 verse 12. 

·       She remained involved in covenant community life, even though it continually confronted her with families who were multiplying.  When a baby was born into their church family, she died to her disappointment and rejoiced in this covenant child.  She even helped young mothers and encouraged them to teach their children to walk in the ways of the Lord.

·       When other women were unkind about her barrenness, she prayed that God would not let a bitter root grow in her heart and defile others – Hebrews 12 verse 15.  When bitterness did take root, she repented of her sin and asked God to cleanse her heart.

·       Perhaps she repeatedly fed her mind and heart with Habakkuk 3 verses 17 and 18 “Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines ... yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.”

·       Her perspective of her life and of the world was God-centred and not self-centred.

·       In contrast to many Jews who lived for man’s approval, she worshiped God and through bloody sacrifices demonstrated her need for a Saviour.  As hope for a child died, the greater hope of the promised Messiah flourished and made her sweeter in old age.  Her theology shaped her daily life.

Long before the Lord gave Elisabeth her miracle baby, her life illustrated God’s promise to make the dry tree flourish – Ezekiel 17 verse 24.

Luke 1 verses 8 to 17, 24 and 25

Something impossible was about to happen, just as it did for Elisabeth’s foremothers Sarah (Genesis 18 verse 11) and Hannah (1 Samuel 1 and 2).  Elisabeth was about to experience the wonder of God doing “far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us.” Ephesians 3 verse 20.

Priests were chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the temple and intercede for God’s people.  Because there were so many priests, this was often a once-in-a-lifetime event.  At just the right moment, God orchestrates the lot to go to Zacharias.

As Zacharias finishes his duties, the angel Gabriel appears and tells him his prayer has been heard.  We might think Zacharias’ prayer for a child has been heard, but it is likely this was a prayer for God to keep his promise to send Messiah.  When Elisabeth and Zacharias realised God would not give them a child, they likely continued to pray for God to send their Redeemer.  They lived expectantly, trusting that one day light would shine into the darkness of their world.  Hope made their disappointments bearable.  It is no coincidence that at this barren time in Israel’s history, God used an old, barren couple as the bridge between the old covenant and the ushering in of the new covenant.

When Elisabeth conceived, her emotion packed response is deeply theological. “Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.” Luke 1 verse 25

In the book Transformed: Life-taker to Life-giver we read:

Elisabeth’s testimony proclaims the gospel.  It seems likely this “daughter of Aaron” was reflecting on the Aaronic blessing.

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.” Numbers 6 verses 24 to 26

In Christ, He shines his face upon us and takes away the reproach and guilt of our sin.  It must be noted – He can look on us because He looked away from His beloved Son as He bore our sin (Matthew 27 verse 46).  Now He looks on us with delight because He looks and sees Jesus.

Elisabeth kept herself hidden for 5 months.  Luke doesn’t tell us why, but perhaps she wanted time to hold this precious gift close, to pour over the promises of the coming Messiah and his forerunner, her son.  Luke describes Elisabeth as righteous, so we know her life was informed by Scripture.  I suspect she wanted time to pray and ask the Lord to prepare her to better understand his word before relatives and neighbours bombarded her with questions.  I envision priceless private days between Elisabeth and the Lord, her heart overflowing with worship and tears streaming down her cheeks in awe of his purposes.  I also think this sweet respite prepared her for Mary’s arrival.

Luke 1 verses 39 to 48

Elisabeth’s child would prepare the way for Messiah, and Elisabeth would prepare his young mother.  Elisabeth’s pregnancy would be the example to remind Mary nothing is impossible with God and her voice would encourage and equip Mary for her mission.  Instead of stooping under the weight of disappointment, she stands tall in her faith, growing sweeter in old age and providing a canopy of gospel refreshment for Mary.  This old woman was full of sap and green, ready to welcome Mary and declare God’s love, power and righteousness to her.

Imagine the shock of Elisabeth’s neighbours when she ventured out during the sixth month of her pregnancy, and then her relative Mary showed up.  Two women.  One old, one young.  Both experiencing the impossible.

Our anti-aging culture often pushes aside older people to make way for a new generation.  This is not God’s way. Throughout Scripture, God not only explains the idea of mentoring, but he shows us the power of evergreen, older, wiser people investing in the lives of the next generation.  And like Elisabeth and Mary, those relationships are not one-sided.  Each generation learns from the other.

For decades Elisabeth daily died to self and twisted herself around the Lord.  Her intimacy with him shaped Mary to fulfil her mission.  She spoke Spirit-led, life-giving words to Mary, words that reveal a grateful, humble heart with no room for jealousy because it is full of God’s love.  She commends Mary for believing the words of the angel.  I suspect these are some of the things Mary stored in her heart and remembered when neighbours or family whispered about her pregnancy or called her son names – Luke 2 verse 19.

It seems the Lord directed Mary to Elisabeth because this young girl needed to be on the fast track of growing even deeper spiritual roots.  Elisabeth mothered her young relative for 3 months, but this was not a one-way relationship.  Each time they looked at one another, they remembered that nothing is impossible with God.  Each time they heard whispered life-taking words, they could look at each other and smile.  Though planted in the mud of scandal, they flourished.

Elisabeth spoke life-giving words, and when Mary sang, she put the testimony of her spiritual mother to verse "He has looked on the humble estate of his servant” Luke 1 verse 48.

These women were God-centred, not self-centred.

Elisabeth’s story is our story.  Consider the similarities.

Every child of God experiences the impossible when we who were dead in sin are made alive in Christ – Ephesians 2 verses 4 and 5.

Darkness covered Elisabeth’s world, culturally, religiously, and personally.  We, too, live in darkness until the light of Christ shines into our hearts.

We have all experienced some form of barrenness in our relationships and situations, those times when grief or disappointment cut a devastating swath of death through our lives.  Those times are our opportunities to cling in hope so the promise that God can do the impossible and make our parched lives flourish.

“He looked on me” is our testimony – Luke 1 verse 25.  God sees us because he has known us since before creation.  He removes our reproach through the sacrifice of his Son and sets us free.

We are blameless.  “God ... chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him” Ephesians 1 verses 3 and 4.  He transforms us so we increasingly die to self and become more and more like Jesus.  Flourishing in every season and circumstance is possible for the child of God because his Spirit lives in us.

We are called to be involved in covenant community life.  Even in old age we can do this by welcoming others and sharing our hope in Jesus with them, offering gospel encouragement and affirmation, and showing the love and kindness of Jesus. 

Like Elisabeth, we must daily make the choice to die to self by repenting of bitterness and trusting and obeying God’s word, even in disappointing and hard times. 

We too must continually remember that when life seems barren, flourishing is possible because “nothing will be impossible with God” Luke 1 verse 37.

Hope that Jesus is coming makes our disappointments bearable, so we pray “Come Lord Jesus” Revelation 22 verse 20.  Christians today, especially suffering Christians, cling to this promise and look forward to the day when all tears will be wiped away – Revelation 21 verse 4. This world is not all there is. 

You might have concluded there is not much in Elisabeth’s story for you because it’s too late for the Lord to gift you as he did Elisabeth.  But wait.  A day is coming for each of us when our bodies will give out and for those who don’t know Jesus, all will be lost.  But for the child of God, light enters that darkness and the darkness cannot overcome it – John 1 verse 5.  No child of God dies alone.  Like Elisabeth, we look forward to our Saviour keeping the promise of his presence in the moment we step from earth to heaven.

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning.”  Psalm 130 verses 5 and 6

 

Gems from the Garments of Glory

 These notes are from Sam Gordon's Truth for Today series on the High Priest's garments

EXODUS 28 VERSES 1 TO 5 AND HEBREWS 5 VERSES 1 TO 10

GEMS FROM THE GARMENTS OF GLORY – NUMBER 1

As I was reading through these notes again from Sam Gordon I was reminded of a principle and process we all should follow when we read or study God's word.  It reminded me of Jen Wilkin's book Women of the Word.

Sam asked 6 questions in his opening to the study of the Garments of the High Priest.

What is the pattern for our Study?

What is the purpose of our Study?

What is the programme for our Study?

What is the progression in our Study?

What are the parallels in our Study?

Who are the people in our Study?

In the first point Sam talks about our pattern - he reminds us of the story of Cleopas  and his wife as they journeyed to Emmaus from Jerusalem.  Their minds and talk was full of what had just happened - Jesus dying on the cross of Calvary.  It was then that Jesus himself drew near and we read that he "opened the scriptures" to them and explained to them things concerning himself.  Sam's comment is this: "isn't it amazing, Jesus talking about Jesus and his launchpad is the books of Moses.  That's where he started ... after a while and we have no idea how long he took, he ended up looking at the prophets.  Jesus shared with them something of the grandeur and greatness and grace of Christ."  Cleopas and his wife later remarked that their hearts burned within them.  Surely that should be our pattern every time we open God's word - that Jesus would draw near and that he would open the scriptures to us so that we become so alive with what is being said to us that we take it with us into the day. 

In the second point - the purpose of studying God's word, Sam talks about the Greeks who came to Jesus' disciples one day with one request - "Sirs we would like to see Jesus."  Imagine if we had that determination every time we opened God's word - just to see Jesus on every page of scripture, won't that be thrilling!

 

When we think of the garments of the high priest, we cant miss seeing him ... he’s there – all speaks of him, all speaks about him. 

“And in his temple, all cry ‘glory’.” Psalm 29 verse 9

Aaron as high priest is a type of the Lord Jesus, our great high priest.  The garments he wore are therefore symbolic of the character and ministry of the Lord Jesus.  The sons of Aaron were priests – they are a shadow of you and I as believer priests; as Peter called us “a royal priesthood and a holy priesthood”.  The garments they wore represent features that ought to be evidenced in your life and mine as we exercise the ministry of a priest.

Verse 2 – these garments were “for glory and for beauty”.  A real sense of dignity to the man and his ministry – he was instantly recognised as he walked about the camp.  A reminder: The Lord Jesus  is now glorified in the heavens, exalted far above all, enthroned on high – “he is the altogether lovely one”.

Verse 3 – these garments were specially made b highly gifted individuals – skilled men, gifted artisans, men who are “filled with the spirit of wisdom” ie these garments set them apart.  A reminder: Jesus was holiness on 2 legs.  One who is fully yielded to the Father’s plan and purpose, one who surrendered all to do his will, even though it meant Calvary – that was in his own words – his pure delight.

A key thought in verse 3 – “that he might minister to Me as priest”.  There was nothing passive about his role – he was there and he had a job to do – he was to represent the people before their God and in so doing he was serving the Lord ... he had an audience of One!  A reminder: Jesus’ work continues as he intercedes for us at the throne of God.

The high priest was in harmony with his surroundings in the tabernacle – the inner covering for the tent of meeting was of fine twined linen in the colours of blue, purple and scarlet – he blended in beautifully, there was nothing out of place!  It is essential that there is harmony in the house of God and when carrying out the work of God.

 

The programme  - 2 options open to us – either by order of dress Exodus 29 verses 5 and 6 or order of dictation Exodus 28 verse 4

the ephod speaks of his ability

the breastplate speaks of his ability to love his own

the urim and thummim speak of his ability to guide his own

the waistband or girdle speaks of his ability to serve his own

the blue robe tells me of his deity for he is the Lord from heaven

The golden bells and coloured pomegranates attached to the hem remind us of his balanced life, full of grace and truth, one of testimony and fruitfulness.

The woven tunic or broidered coat affirms his humanity – think of Yom Kippur, the Da of Atonement when he went beyond the veil into the holy of holies, he was dressed not in his robes of glory and beauty but only in his white linen coat.

The mitre or turban declares his authority

The golden plate which was specially engraved highlights his holiness

 

The progression – it is apparent that he priesthood is progressive.  It was a priest for himself originally (think of Noah and Abraham), then it changed in Exodus 12 the last night in Egypt when the Passover lamb was killed and the blood applied – the man in the home became a priest for his family.  Now it becomes a priest for the nations – the Aaronic or Levitical priesthood up to Caiaphas and the death of the Lord on Calvary.  Today we have a priest for the global church – the one who passed through the rent veil, who sat down at the right hand of the majesty on high has a round the clock prayer ministry, is praying for us.

The parallels – Christ is not a priest after the order of Aaron – he came from the tribe of Levi.  Jesus came from tribe of Judah.  Hebrews 7 he is the order of Melchizedek ie he lives for evermore.  He keeps on going, it is universal – he prays for all people around the world.  And it is uniform for he is the king of righteousness and king of peace.

5 similarities we can focus on ...

Likeness of calling – divine appointment and armed with divine commission

Likeness of cleansing – washed with water Exodus 29 verse 4, anointed with oil Exodus 29 verse 7.  Washing before anointing! Calvary precedes Pentecost!  We are washed in blood and anointed by the Spirit of God.

Likeness of clothing

Likeness of consecration – Exodus 29 verse 20 the blood was applied in 3 areas – tip of right ear signifying our words, tip of right thumb speaking of our works and tip of right big toe which homes in on our walk.  Our words, works and walk is to be fully yielded to God.

Likeness of compassion – he has compassion for he cares and fully understands us.  A God of tenderness with a loving and sometimes firm touch.

The people – Aaron as the high priest typifies the priestly ministry of our Lord Jesus.  The sons of Aaron represent you and I as the children of God, the church of God.  Leviticus 8 tells of the ordination of Aaron and his sons – verse 35 they are “to do what the Lord requires”.  Hebrews 5 verse 1 they were to do what was needed on behalf o the people as they ministered daily at the brazen altar, every offering had to be approved by them.  They also had to trim the lamps of the golden lampstand in the holy place along with burning incense on the golden altar just before the veil and arranging and dispensing the shewbread on the table.  Our Lord Jesus, our Great High Priest offered one sacrifice for sins for ever and sat down – his redemptive work on earth is finished but his priestly ministry goes on.  Revelation 2 and 3 Jesus walks among the lampstands, he ministers on our behalf at the golden altar, he feeds us with the living bread.

 

Exodus 28 verses 4, 15 – 29

GEMS FROM THE GARMENTS OF GLORY – NUMBER 2

The breastplate of 12 precious stones

The wisdom behind it – not of human origin, the divine thumbprint is all over it.  Made of gold and blue, purple and scarlet yarn and of finely twisted linen.  James and Paul refer to a “wisdom which comes from above” and we see evidence of that here for such divine wisdom is manifested in 2 directions:

The wisdom behind their identity – 2 lists of names associated with the high priest – those on the 2 onyx stones one on each shoulder and those which graced the breastplate.  Names listed according to birth in Genesis 49 ie Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan and Naphtali on right shoulder and on the left shoulder were Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph and finally Benjamin.  They were there according to the tribes in Numbers 10 – when they struck camp they did it in a certain order.  A reminder: one says that is what I am by nature and the other says this is what I am by grace.

The wisdom behind their inscription – precious gems and costly.  Echoes of the truth that we are “graven on the palm of his hand.”  Each could say “I am precious to him no mater where my stone is.  All that matters is that I’m there.”

Reuben – “turbulent as waters” Genesis 49 verse 3.  Stone was turquoise, sea green speaking of water.  He had a great weakness – up and down, marked by instability, to and fro, from pillar to post – his curse: “he shall not excel”  God put him on the stone near to his heart and on his shoulders – why – because he knew he would need him ... and so do we!

Zebulin – his stone was beryl, associated with glittering brilliance, a flashing stone, linked with energy.  A tribe by the sea which went out in ships, outgoing people always active.

Gad – his stone was diamond, cannot be marked, strong and used to cut glass.  He would be “attacked by a band of raiders but he will attack them at their heels”.  At first he is overtaken, he’s overrun, he’s overcome, then he is victorious at the end.  God placed him on the breastplate – the secret of his winning in the end, of overcoming, was in he ability of the high priest to represent him – there’s victory in Jesus!

Judah – sardius stone, ruby red.  He is the first one placed in the breastplate – her supremacy, her royal line, renowned for plenty of good things, an abundance of riches.  But Judah as leading tribe needed the high priest just as much, if not more as any of the other 11.  No matter who we are or where we are, we are all precious to him!  We need God every day.

The wonder of it – 12 precious stones, no two alike, all very different in colour and texture – yet when together they make up 1 breastpiece.  Paul said we are many members of one body.  We are not all the same yet, in Christ we are all one!

The wonder of their fellowship – a sense of unity, absolute harmony, they are bonded.  Each stone is in its proper place, where it’s meant to be.

The wonder of their foundation – individual mounted “in gold settings”.  Silver is a type of redemption but gold points us in the direction of deity.  Each one was “set in a setting of gold” – I am divinely held.  A reminder of God’s everlasting arms around us – I am firmly held, eternally secure.

The wonder of their formation – a jewel is a piece of ordinary clay that has passed through an extraordinary experience.  We are clay in the hands of the Potter – he shapes us, he fashions us, he moulds us and he does that through trials and troubles over a period of time.  He knows what he is doing and he can visualise the finished article.  Malachi 3 verse 17 “they shall be mine in that day when I make up my jewels.”

The wealth of it – seen first in their representation – no duplicates here!  No 2 stones are the same, so very different.  A reminder of ourselves and our personalities, gifts, ideas yet not one can be done without! 

Seen in their resplendence – each stone had a light of its own which god had given to them.  Our lives are shining lights in today’s dark world. 

Seen in their responsibility – every stone reflected the beauty of the light – we shine for Jesus and in so doing we reflect the light that comes first from him.

The worth of it – each is seen in its unique position.  One they are near to his heart and second dear to his heart. 

They are also bound to his heart – held in place by chains of gold – speaking of strength, power and ability.  They are also attached with blue ribbons – hints of tenderness of love and concern from a love that will not let us go!  We also read of rings of gold which highlights the thought of everlasting love. 

They are supported upon his heart.  The material was doubled to form a kind of pouch in which the Urim and Thummim were placed.  It was foursquare.  With the weight of the 12 softness upon it, it needed to be an extra strong fro them to be kept in that position – it prevented them from falling away from his heart.

They occupied all of his heart – a span of 9 inches so the breastplate took up all of his heart.  All 12 were there – his whole heart was behind them.  What would it be without the love of God?

Exodus 28 verses 4 – 7, 39 verses 2 and 3

GEMS FROM THE GARMENTS OF GLORY – NUMBER 3

Ephod – one of the garments “for glory and beauty.”

Multi-coloured outer garment – a garment exclusive to them.

An examination of the ephod. 

Its composition – made up of 2 components – one the material to be used described as “finely, twisted linen” or “fine woven linen.”  And two the metal is “gold”.  The gold was beaten down into thin sheets, then cut into threads of wire.  The gold wasn’t just added on to the top of the various yarns, or stitched alongside them – it was woven into the fabric. It was incorporated into the material.  This was done by skilled craftsmen – men who were artisans of their profession and the outcome was eye-catchingly beautiful.

Its colours – 24 times in the book of Exodus, these same colours of “blue, purple and scarlet” are spoken of in exactly the same order.  The same colours are found in the Tabernacle.  The inner covering, the veil between the holy place and the most holy place, the curtain of the door into the holy place, the ten curtains all around the sanctuary and the entrance gate curtain – all in the same colour.

Its construction – the breastplate was attached to the ephod – it was held in place by chains of gold and ribbons of blue.  Then there were 2 onyx stones – one on each shoulder – the back and front of the ephod was joined by these 2 stones.  And finally in relation to the waistband – it was wrapped around the ephod, just like you’d wrap a belt around your dressing gown.

The excellence of the ephod

Christ in all the scriptures!  Right here in the ephod we catch a glimpse of Christ in all the shades.  In Psalm 8 verse 1 we read of the excellence of his name, as David declares “O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth.”  In 2 Corinthians 4 verse 7 Paul reminds us there of the excellence of his power – “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God and not of us.”  In Psalm 68 verse 34 we are confronted with the excellence of his rule when David affirms that “Ascribe ye strength unto God; his excellence is over Israel, and his strength is in the clouds.”  In Philippians 3 verse 8 the apostle shares his story of redeeming love and talks openly about his sole ambition in life, by focusing on the excellence of his knowledge – “Yea doubtless and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord.”  In 1 Peter 1 verse 17 we see the excellence of his glory – “For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory ‘This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’”

There is the grandeur of the gold.

Gold is that which speaks to us of something unchanging, everlasting.  It is the same all of the time, it never loses its power, never tarnishes or deteriorates when exposed.  And this is what God takes to represent himself – his deity.  So in the gold, we see Christ the Divine one.

There is the loveliness of the linen.

It comes from the flax – and flax comes from the earth – so here we see Christ the Human One.  The gold was worked in to the linen, both brought together – for he is the God-man – here is Christ the Incarnate One.  Think of the boat on a stormy lake – he was asleep but he also said “peace be still”.  Sitting wearied on a well - he was tired out - but he also said to the woman, "go call your husband".  At the grave scene in John 11 Jesus wept but he also said in a loud voice “Lazarus come forth.”  It was made of “fine woven linen” – Revelation 19 verse 7 the bride, the church makes herself ready and then we are told that “fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear”.  She is clothed by another.  What is it?  The writer leaves us in no doubt for he tells us that it is “the righteous acts of the saints”.  Speaks of purity, holiness.

There is the brilliance of the blue.

Blue is the colour of the heavens – it conveys the idea of his heavenly origin, in a sense it speaks of his authority.  We see him here as Christ the Spiritual One.  He is the heavenly man!  He is the Lord from heaven, the Lord of heaven, and the Lord who went back to heaven and today he is the Lord in heaven.

There is the preciousness of the purple.

This is the colour of royalty – Mark 15 verse 17 and 18 – “they put a purple robe on him, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on him.”  It’s the shade worn by kings, queens, and princes – our Lord is the Son of David.  He was born king – Matthew 2 verse 2 – the “king of the Jews.”  Revelation 19 verse 16 presents him as the “King of kings”.  Revelation 15 verse 3 portrays him as the “king of saints”.  Daniel 8 verse 25 sees him as the “Prince of princes”.  Here is Christ the Sovereign One.

There is the splendour of the scarlet.

This is found in abundance in Judea – on the back of the leaves of the cactus tree you will find little worms – when these are crushed they look like blood.  This was then used to dye the garment to a scarlet colour.  It’s called the cochineal, that is, the scarlet worm.  Here is Christ the Sacrificial One.

Christ in all the Colours.

The colours blend beautifully together.  The New Testament shows the Lord Jesus as one with whom there is a real balance, the ideal combination, for he is “full of grace and truth” – he is “merciful and faithful” and there are others!

An explanation of the ephod

John 1 verse 1 and Hebrews 1 verse 8 we see the gold – “and the Word was God” ... but about the Son he says “Your throne O God.” In John 1 verse 14 and Hebrews 1 verse 9 we see the linen.  “The Word became flesh” ... “you have loved righteousness and hated wickedness.”

In John 1 verse 10 and Hebrews 1 verse 10 see the blue – we read “He was in the world and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognise him”.  “In the beginning O Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth and the heavens are the work of your hands.”  In John 1 verse 49 and Hebrews 1 verse 8 we see the purple – we read “Nathanael declares, ‘You are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel’”.  But about the Son he says “Your throne O God, will last for ever and ever, and righteousness will be the sceptre of your kingdom.” 

In John 1 verse 29 and Hebrews 1 verse 3 we see the scarlet – we read “Look the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world”.  “After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.”

An evaluation of the ephod

2 very important questions for us to ask ...

What did this mean to the Israelites?  When the Jewish person saw the high priest in and around the camp, he beheld these garments “for glory and beauty” – they were meant to convey to him 2 realities: one, they were admired because of their attractiveness; two, there were assured because of his ability to act on their behalf.

What does it mean to you and me? In our Lord Jesus we have our great high priest – we marvel at the virtues he possesses; again, like them, we admire him because of his attractiveness for he is “the altogether lovely one.”  And we are most assured because of his amazing ability ..

First, his ability as God for the question is asked, “Is anything too hard for the Lord?”  we recall the words in Daniel “Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us.”

Second, his ability as Man – because he suffered he is the one who is able to succour us – he fully understands us and undertakes for us.  He knows what it’s like!

Third, his ability as King – according to Philippians 3 he is the one who is able to subdue all things.  Because he rules and reigns on high, he is the Sovereign Lord who runs every show from start to finish – and we gladly submit to his sovereign purposes and plans for he knows best.

Fourth, his ability as the Lord – we’re reminded so often that he is able to keep us from falling, he is able to keep us in the hour of trail and even in the hour of temptation.

Fifth, his ability as the Lamb – here is the one who has won our hearts, redeemed our souls and is preparing us for life on the other side.  To this day, he is strong and mighty to save.

 

 

 

Harvest Thoughts

HARVEST THOUGHTS

I am on a bit of a spiritual high today.  Why?  Yesterday was an amazing day.  As many of you know I love reading and hearing an author in person was for me absolutely amazing.  We were able to participate in a Live Stream from the Irish Women's Convention in Belfast.  The speaker was Jen Wilkin.  It was amazing to hear her testify of how she has only started to write books in the past 10 years but it was a culmination of years studying God's word in her own home and church.  The depth of understanding and explaining God's word was very apparent.  Yesterday's 3 sessions were on The Ten Commandments or Ten Words.  It was a beautiful way to spend a Saturday and I could not wait to come home and read her book.  As I did so last night I could hear Jen explaining once again what was written.  For me it was as if God's word came alive.  I was reminded by Jen that sometimes we will say "all we want is a fresh word from God."  Jen lifted her bible and said "as if God's word is not enough?"  Too often we crave for something more than what God has written in his Word but really what our problem is ... we have failed to open God's word and really hear what God is saying to us.  Why is that?  Perhaps it is because we don't want to hear what God has to say.  Too often we want to do things our way even though it is the opposite of what God wants.  Maybe we don't open God's word because we believe that only an educated person can really read and explain God's word, that somehow it should be limited to a certain time or place.  If ever we needed to hear God's word, we say, it is now.  The problem is we actually are not asking.  We open up God's word and heaven seems silent.  We haven't come in preparation or expectation.  For some it actually means that they don't know how to come and ask God to speak.  Perhaps we are ignorant to how God speaks to us.  Maybe we have preconceptions of how we expect things to be.  For whatever reason, sometimes God needs to break in and shake us, to make us realise that he has been there all along waiting for us to hear him.  Too often we are busy, yes even busy in doing what we believe God wants us to do.  We make excuses as to why we have no time.  Yesterday Jen challenged all of these thoughts in my ideas of God's working in my life.

Today was our harvest service and Mr Lawrence Kennedy asked us to read from Joseph's life.  Joseph is a favourite character of mine having participated in a Precepts bible study earlier this spring.  We thought of how Joseph was used by God - whether it was in his father's home or in the depths of a prison cell or even in the palace of Pharaoh  He was given the ability to tell and interpret dreams and Pharaoh had several of them.  God was using this dream to foretell the future.  He was warning him that something needed to be done in preparation.  Once Joseph was remembered by the chief butler he was brought in before Pharaoh.  He warned Pharaoh that 7 years of prosperity would be followed by 7 years of famine.  Immediately Joseph was promoted and given authority to take command of the store houses.  Joseph had another ability apart from dream interpretation - administration  He asked the farmers during the years of plenty to give a portion to Pharaoh so that when the famine came they had sufficient to feed not only the local families but more than that.  Countries came to Joseph for provision and he was able to supply their need.

We were asked today to consider the spiritual famine that is prevalent in our society.  Not just locally but worldwide.  There is a problem today, an age old problem.  Our churches are empty of genuine believers, physically empty.  The results of COVID are being seen and we were warned of that - imagine within 5 years of the greatest global epidemic we now see how God is working.  He has brought this famine and for a reason.  God knows the situation we are facing today and it is extremely distressing.  Too often I have despaired because of the lack of genuine interest in God and his Word over the past number of years but I realised yesterday that part of my problem is that I am looking too far ahead.  I have wondered where the church as believers in Christ will be in the next number of years but really what I need to focus on is the present.  God is calling me to serve him now.  To be in preparation for a greater famine that is on the horizon.  

What was the solution to the situation Joseph and the land of Egypt faced?  It was a depressing situation but here was one man who had the solution.  He had prepared in advance and was able to provide for the people.  He opened up the store houses and fed the people.  God has provided our solution in the heavenly Jesus.  He went to Calvary to die for our sins and the day he rose again and returned to his father the storehouse was fill.  When I accepted Christ as my Saviour the store house was opened to me and I have received more than I could ever need to live for him in this present age.  

There is a satisfaction in knowing Jesus as my Lord and Saviour.  There is a peace that passeth all understanding and this is why I am on a spiritual high today.  I have been more than satisfied by God's word and will continue to be as I live in the light of his word today and every day.