Sunday, July 31, 2016

Abundance

I have always liked the word, "abundance."  It speaks of more than enough.  It calls to mind a harvest that is beyond expectations.  It is a word that calls attention to being blessed.  Perhaps, it is used most often during the Thanksgiving season as families gather around overflowing tables.  The Scripture also uses the word abundantly throughout its pages to speak of the blessings of God.  Jesus spoke of Himself as the giver of abundant life.  "I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly."  (John 10:10)  What a good Word for those of us who are often tempted to settle for the mundane and call it average and ok in our spiritual life!

The 31st Psalm also uses the Word as it speaks of God.  In verse 19 the Scripture says,  "O how abundant is Your goodness that You have laid up for those who fear You, and accomplished for those who take refuge in You, in the sight of everyone."  And, these are not the words of a man who is looking back at God's deliverance, but a man who is in the throes of great troubles.  His body is suffering and his spirit is assailed by the attacks of those who only seek to do him harm.  Here he is in the midst of his prayer praising God for a goodness that is surely coming to him.

God does a lot of work for us in the abundant department.  He is never content with just getting us through some trouble by the skin of our teeth.  He is not working so that we will manage to know just enough spiritual power to hang in there.  Instead, with abundant blessings He come to us promising that no adversary shall prevail and no power shall overcome.  Anyone needing proof of God's ability to do the abundant work promised should read more of these Psalms, the gospel story, and stop by the empty tomb.   Indeed, God's goodness is not just good, it is abundantly good.

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