“Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable Gift.”
II Corinthians 9:15
Truly, in Him it’s the “Gift that keeps on giving.”
Grace.
We call it “Amazing” because of its condescending nature to reach down to the lowest depths of sin and degradation. Yet, it is not some spiritual “commodity” that we receive at the new birth; it’s the imparting of Jesus Himself into our lives. Glory!!
Yes, dear Pilgrim, God’s “unspeakable (Grk. ‘anekdiegetos’—‘indescribable, not expounded in full, esteemed, priceless, etc.’) Gift” is Jesus Himself. And, when He comes to live within our lives He brings everything He is and has with Him. That’s why Paul said “Christ in you the Hope of Glory” (Col. 1:27) and described Jesus as God’s most precious “Treasure in earthen vessels/clay pots” (II Cor. 4:7).
So often we have difficulty understanding this beautiful Reality because we view Jesus as little more than a historical figure and His earthly ministry as little more than historical facts. It’s only when we realize He is a “VERY PRESENT Help in trouble” (Ps. 46:1) and lives within our hearts that we begin to understand the implications of today’s Manna.
Just as we so often cannot put into words the inward desires of our heart and the Holy Spirit has to help us (Rom. 8:26) so are we hard-pressed to tell others of our “joy unspeakable and full of glory” (I Pet. 5:8). Only those who’ve been through the “fiery furnace” of hardships and heartaches—and emerged with “joy in the morning” (Ps. 30:5)—can talk confidently of “praise, honor and glory at the appearing of Christ” (I Pet. 1:6-7) and “rejoice and leap for joy” (Lk. 6:23) when the fires have grown so hot.
Truly, only those in Christ can understand how/why Jesus “Who was rich would become poor for our sakes” (II Cor. 8:9a; Phil. 2:5-11) and how “through HIS poverty we are made rich spiritually” (II Cor. 8:9b). And, it is through His condescending Grace in our lives that we’re moved to “love others as He has loved us” (Jn. 13:34-35) and give our lives in service to Him and others (II Cor. 8:5).
How long has it been since you spent some time reflecting on God’s “unspeakable/priceless Gift” to you, Pilgrim? How long since you spent some time thanking Him for plucking you from spiritual darkness and “quickening you together with Christ. . .raising you up together with Him . . .and making you to sit together in Heavenly places with Christ Jesus” (Eph. 2:5-6)?
Why not stop right now, lay your Bible, pad and pen aside and spend a few minutes doing that? Close your eyes, ask the Spirit to help calm your mind and slow your breathing as you bask in His Presence and give thanks for His great Love. Then go forth today confident that this same Lord will guide you today to someone who desperately needs to know Him. May you then be faithful to say “Have you got a minute? Let me tell you about God’s ‘unspeakable Gift’ to me.”
By Tom Smith Morning Manna Dated September 12, 2010
