Richness of GlorySpeaker: Dr. D.G.S. Dhinakaran Gist: To make you live abundantly and perfectly, Jesus gave up His precious life. He wants you to enjoy all things abundantly. He will satisfy your weary, languishing soul with rich and abundant blessings. He will supply all your needs. "My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19)
God fills the languishing soul with fullness of blessings for worldly life too. Whatever we lack in our earthly life, He will perfect by richness of glory in heaven! With this certainty in view, St. Paul has averred: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing" (2 Timothy 4:7,8).
This life on earth abounds with distresses and tribulations. There is no end to this phenomenon. So St. Paul said that one day he would enter into glory and receive from the living God the crown of righteousness and then this life would be perfected. This is our hope too! The end or culmination of all our sufferings in this world is the 'richness in glory'!
Several years ago, a 'brother' of mine, Mr. E. George was working in 'Jesus Calls' office. I used to call him always 'elder brother!' He had limitless love for me. In 1990, 2nd January, due to a heart stroke, my heart didn't function for One and a half hours. I was admitted in a hospital. Coming to know of this, all my fellow-workers in 'Jesus Calls' office cried out their soul in prayer; together with them my 'elder brother' also prayed fervently. Tears used to accumulate in the place where he knelt down and prayed, so much tears! He would give away his lunch-packet to some one else and pray, fasting. After days, he also had a heart attack and was also admitted into the same hospital. Not responsive to medical treatment, he died. Only after my returning home, I was informed about his demise. My heart was shattered; I cried and wept for my 'elder brother' who had given away his life for my sake.
"For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich." (2 Corinthians 8:9)
St. Paul has stated: "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." (Galatians 2:20)
My dear friend, whether in this world or the next, to make us live abundantly and perfectly, our graceful Lord gave up His life! Our life does not culminate in this world. A day would come, our gracious Lord will lovingly invite us into His presence, telling us: 'My child, it is enough that you have made your soul weary and worn-out! Come to My presence! Let Me embrace you and kiss you! Let Me give My richness of glory and abundant blessings in all matters which you lacked in the world." Death has no power to scare us; it is only a gladsome experience to us! Jesus is looking at our dry and languid soul, waiting to give it the abundant blessing! He is the living God!
"I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death." (Revelation 1:18) According to this Word, to enable you to enjoy all things abundantly, forever, He is alive! He will satisfy your weary, languishing soul with rich and abundant blessings and exhilarate us!
Prayer:
Gracious Loving Father,
I praise You and honour You. I bow at Your feet and adore You. Grant me Your grace that I will face all trials and tribulation patiently. Grant me Your grace to run a good race and to guard my faith. I hope that the crown of righteous is laid up for me. I believe wholeheartedly that You will give the richness of glory. Supply all my needs and bless me. I give You all the glory. In Jesus' matchless name, I pray.
Amen. |