GOD'S GIFTS

GOD’S GIFTS

It is a gratification to love to supply any want to its object. This is the source of all God’s gifts to us, given or withheld. He does everything from this one motive, and therefore He has more pleasure in giving than you have in receiving. If you receive not His gifts, you refuse to accept that which He offers, you deny Him the gratification He has in relieving you. Everything God has done is on this ground, and whenever there is a partial acceptance of His love and gifts in Christ, there must of necessity be a denial to Him of what gratifies Him - that He has met our need and given us that which suits us. How much we rejoice to hit on a present for a valued friend which just meets the mind and wants of that friend! Because nothing gratifies affection like ministering to its object - feeble with us, but marvellous if you carry it to the Lord and judge of His acts by it.

There are very few thinkers. It is remarkable that the seed sown in the heart was plucked away by the fowls of the air, but the honest and good ground is the heart that understands the word. Again, it is not properly “set your affection on things above”, but “have your mind on” them (Colossians 3: 2). Every christian likes heavenly things, but few think of them continually. It is a great matter to think of them. Many like you, or even love you, but how many think of you?

If you faint in the day of adversity your strength is small, and how should one faint who is loved by the Father as Jesus is loved? The Lord bless you and keep you from evil.