Full Provision

CONTINUING to look through the several None But the Hungry Heart devotional books of M. Stanford, I found another one that had a simple “check mark” by the title.  It made my heart smile as I reread it and considered it afresh. 

IF you haven’t already noticed, most of what we read here are thoughts that have been complied from other authors and teachers.  There are a few initials I recognize as you may as well, but many are a mystery as to the source. I think that is good.  The true value is no so much in who said a thing, but in what was said and how closely it resonates with truth.  That must always be our chief criteria.

These [Bereans] were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.  Acts 17:11

Just one reminder:  Whenever our authors in NBTHH refer to our “Position” in Christ, they are referencing to our “Union” with or in Christ. We are positionally “in Christ,” our new source of life as opposed to being “in Adam” the “old man” source of life (Eph 4:22-24).  When “Condition” is referred to, that pertains to our progress and changeable “sanctification,” our walk or practice in Christ.  Our Position (Union) in Christ is perfect; our “Condition” imperfect, variable, in its progression.

So, with that, here’s another reading from None But the Hungry Heart, another referenced with the check mark by the title – Internal Priority. 

In the inexorable riches of Christ,
Joe
Neh. 8:10; Isa 30:15; Job 2:10; Jas. 1:2; Prov. 21:30
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5-14. Full Provision

“Let him ask in faith and have no doubts; for he who has doubts is like the surge of the sea, driven by the wind and tossed into spray. A person of that sort must not expect to receive anything from the Lord-such a one is a man of two minds, undecided in every step he takes” (James 1:6-8, Wey.).

First, we are to rest in the fact that our Father has made full provision for all our needs; positionally, we are complete in the Lord Jesus Christ. Then it is that we can trust Him daily for His “exceeding abundantly above.” “But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:19)

“It is true that all God requires of us we lack; but it is also true that all we need He supplies. The believer can give thanks that God has supplied all his need as to standing, and He engages to supply all his need as to walk. But while we see our Father’s requirement, and recognize His provision, let us not overlook our responsibility.

“When we fail it is to this our failure may be traced. It is not because the provision has been insufficient, or unavailable, or afar off – but because the channel has been obstructed, the avenues of the soul have been closed, so that the need has remained unsupplied. Our responsibility lies in the exercise of faith.” -E.H.

“I will not think of the infinities of my need, except to lead me to the divine simplicity of the infinity of His supply.” – H.C.G.M.

“And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask any thing according to His will, He heareth us; and if we know that He hear us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him” (1 John 5:14, 15).