LOADED EVERY DAY -- Monday:
Some days, spiritual benefits appear to be sparse, but that is only a delusion. It is very true that our souls can become famished, and the experience of inner hunger and thirst nearly consume us. As it is written, "My soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is" (Psa 63:1). But that does not justify the conclusion that there really are no supplies available. It means they are not readily apparent. When Hagar was thrust from Abraham's dwelling, she wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba until all of her supplies ran out. Sensing death was near, she laid her son, Ishmael, under a shrub and went a short distance away, because she did not want to see him die. Sitting opposite of him, she lifted up her voice and wept. The Scriptures tell us God heard the voice of Ishmael crying. After promising He would make a great nation out of Ishmael, "God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water; and she went, and filled the bottle with water, and gave the lad drink" (Gen 21:14-21). God provided a rich supply, AND enabled Hagar to see and access it.
Surely, if the Lord would so favor Hagar and Ishmael, He will do no less for those who are in Christ Jesus, who have the Spirit of adoption, and should be called "the sons of God." Every day the Lord "loads us with benefits." They are all around us, just as surely as that well was near Hagar. But they must be seen in order for us to profit from them. They are within the grasp of faith and may be possessed, but they must be seen, i.e., we must be persuaded of their reality.
On one occasion, when the prophet Elisha was in Dothan, the king of Syria sent "horses, and chariots, and a great host: and they came by night, and compassed the city about." Seeing this vast host, Elisha's servant cried out in despair, "Alas, my master! What shall we do?" He did not think God had loaded them with benefits that day. In fact, it appeared as though they had no advantage at all. But that was not the case. Seeing the smallness of the servant's vision, Elisha prayed "LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see." The result was that the servant saw God had loaded them with benefits. "And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha" (2 Kgs 6:15-18). It is hard to imagine having a greater advantage than they had. Still, it had to be seen.
As though the Psalm was not strong enough–i.e., "loadeth us daily with benefits"–the promises in Christ are even stronger. We have been "blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places," and then ourselves raised there to enjoy them (Eph 1:2; 2:6). Our God has also supplied "all things that pertain to life and godliness" (2 Pet 1:3). It is as though we have been given an entire wagon train loaded with remarkable provisions, as Joseph sent to Jacob (Gen 45:23-27). But things for us are better than they were for Jacob. Our provisions come "daily." Every day, if we can see it, heavenly manna is all about us, waiting to be gathered and enjoyed. There are an abundance of provisions every day that will sustain, strengthen, and satisfy the heart. Look for them.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank and praise You for the abundance You give me daily. Help me to see what You have done.