Thought For Today - September 7
Abundance - versus - Want
By: Robert A. Searles

According to our English dictionary, the definition of abundance is: - a plentiful supply; a great quantity or number; copiousness; plenty.

God our father in heaven, and creator of all that is, is infinitely rich, and it is his desire that his children on earth be well cared for and share in the fatness and riches of his house. He offers to all who will hear the call, to partake of his abundance. He saw our lack and wretchedness as poor lost sinners, and took upon himself the likeness of our humanity and lived among us in the person of Jesus Christ. He offered himself for us to redeem us back to himself, and declared that he came to give us life, and that more abundantly.

“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” John 10:10.

Christ, the eternal source of all life, not willing that any should perish, left the glories of his eternal home, temporarily laid aside his divine power, became a man and took upon himself the sins of the whole world. He who knew no sin became sin for us in order that we might be the partakers of his divine nature and enjoy with him the fatness of his father’s house. This he has made available to all of us who will believe him; confess our sins; and receive him into our hearts as our \Savior.

When we have a personal relationship with Christ as our Saviour, he gives to us abundant joys. There are joys and a sense of accomplishments and fulfillment in serving Christ that cannot be experienced in anything else that we do. Joy is independent of our happiness, or circumstances of life. The abundant joy that we know as the result of our relationship and service to Christ, is that which rises up out of the depth of our soul when we know that we are pleasing to God; and cannot be extinguished by anything this carnal world has to offer.

“They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasure.” Psalm 36:8.

God’s grace is abundant, more than enough, over flowing for every situation. By grace we are saved; by grace we are kept; by grace we are able to overcome all obstacles and difficulties. Grace is the unmerited favor of God, nothing that we deserve, but is available to all who will believe and receive. By God’s grace we have all sufficiency for all things. By God’s grace we will get to heaven.

“And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.” 2 Cor 9:8.

Through Christ we have abundant power to be more than conquerors and gain the victory over our chief enemy and adversary, Satan. He goes about seeking whom he may trap and devour; but the Holy Spirit working in us abundantly supplies the power we need to be over comers. We need not become the slaves of Satan. We who know Christ as our savior are the children of God, and he gives us the resources and power we need to be victorious.

“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen!”” Ephes 3:20,21.

God supplies all our needs abundantly. Sometimes we think that we need more than we actually do, but in reality all we need is the essentials of life to stay alive, remain healthy, and survive, and have all the resources we need to serve God.

We find, for the most part, at the end of the day when we look back, we can see that all that we have needed has been supplied to us, and many times, much more than we thought we needed. When we are faithful in our service to God, he gives us not only the things that we need, but also some of our wants and things that we would like to have to make our lives more enjoyable while we are serving him.

“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Ph 4:19

God also has provided for his children an abundant entrance into his presence. The curtain in the temple was split asunder when Christ was crucified, and the doors were swung wide open and a universal invitation was given to all to come and dine at the father’s table. Whosoever will may come to the throne of grace in the name of Jesus Christ and receive pardon and entrance into his presence.

“For so an entrance shall be administered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:11.

Telehelp Publications Christian Literature Ministry