0033. Sanctification Brings Blessing

Sanctification Brings Blessing

"And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the Lord, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son:

"That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies" (Gen_22:16-17).

When Abraham offered up Isaac, God cried, "Stay thy hand." Instead of his son, Abraham offered up a ram. But this was not all. That night, God said to Abraham, "Because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: that in blessing, I will bless thee" (Gen_22:16-17).

It is only when we give ourselves wholly to Him that He can give Himself in fullness unto us.

Jesus Christ said, "Therefore doth My Father love Me, because I lay down My life" (Joh_10:17). And, when we bring our all, and yield ourselves to God, a new love springs forth toward us from the heart of God.

Illustration: A young girl had always delighted in the fellowship of her father. She greeted him continually upon his return from work and delighted in his society.

There came a time, however, when day after day passed and there was no little girl waiting at the gate.

The daughter kept herself in her own room. The father’s heart was hungry, but he said nothing.

Finally, his birthday came around, and the little girl, in great delight, rushed into his presence and handed him a pair of bed-room slippers. She said, "Oh! papa, see what I made for you with my own hands."

Then it was that he understood why she had been hiding herself away. He appreciated the slippers, but as he kissed her, he said to her, "Darling, you didn’t know how much papa would have rather had you than the slippers."

Let us not for a moment think that we can satisfy God by giving Him our things. He wants our hearts, our love, our selves, our all: and, to one who gives himself, his heart, his love and his all, God will multiply the blessings of His grace.

"Jesus! I am resting, resting in the joy of what Thou art;

I am finding out the greatness of Thy loving heart.

Oh, how great Thy loving-kindness, vaster, broader than the sea!

Oh, how marvelous Thy goodness, lavished all on me!

Yes, I rest in Thee, Beloved, know what wealth of grace is Thine,

Know Thy certainty of promise, and have made it mine.

Simply trusting Thee, Lord Jesus, I behold Thee as Thou art,

And Thy love so pure, so changeless, satisfies my heart:

Satisfies its deepest longings, meets, supplies its every need,

Compasseth me round with blessings; Thine is love indeed!"

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR