James 4:13ff

James 4:13-17 Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil. Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

If we rightly believe our life in a vapour, it might not affect all that much whether we plan to go somewhere, conduct business, and make money (i.e., not knowing about tomorrow, we still might make plans. Cf. Proverbs 6:6-8 Proverbs 31:16). However, if we rightly believe our life in a vapour, it should affect how we think and talk about those plans! A plan is made in the mind or thoughts. The thought-out plan is spoken with the mouth. Have these two things occurred with or without taking the truth about life, the future, and God into account? Very often our tongue will tell (Matthew 15:18). Over a lived-life, the Christian should learn that God is the disposer of life, and the events of life (Luke 12:20; Proverbs 16:33; 19:21).

In verse 13, James refers to what they say. In verse 15, he refers to what they ought to say. In verse 14, he refers to what they do not know, as well as the true condition of life. Verse 15 applies the recognition of this true condition to how we think and act.

• Our knowledge is restricted. “ye know not what shall be on the morrow.”
• Our life is temporal. “It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.”
• God’s will is sovereign. “If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.”

James concludes with a general principle that stresses the importance of doing what we know to do. Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. Do not sin. Do what you know is right.

The Voice of Jesus

“The Voice of Jesus,” written by Frederick Whitfield, is found on pages 14-15 of Sacred Poems and Prose.

1. I heard the voice of Jesus say,

“I am the life, the truth, the way;”

He led my footsteps to the well,

I heard Him there its virtues tell;

The healing stream my spirit cheered,

And to my soul His name endeared.

2. I heard the voice of Jesus say,

“I am thy God, thy strength, thy stay;”

I brought my burden to His feet,

I found the Saviour’s promise sweet:

The cross was sweet, the yoke was light,

I stood in Him whose strength is might.

3. I heard the voice of Jesus say,

“Wait on the Lord, and keep His way;”

My soul had fainted in the strife,

But Jesus looked, and all was life :

He shewed His heart—my name was there,

I felt how sweet His love to share.

4. I heard the voice of Jesus say,

“I will wipe thy tears away,

I will hush thy childish fears,

I will treasure all thy tears;

Thy need my fulness shall supply,

Till thou shalt come to dwell on high.”

As thy days, so shall thy strength be

The following hymn by Baptist minister John Fawcett was published in 1782 in Hymns Adapted to the Circumstances of Public Worship and Private Devotion (Leeds: G. Wright and Son). Fawcett is probably best known as the writer of “Blest be the tie that binds.” In The Christian Harmonist “As thy days, so shall thy strength be” appears with the tune Bordenton and in Baptist Chorals with Asa Brooks Everett’s Vesper Hymn. Elsewhere it has been paired with Lowell Mason’s Uxbridge, which tune in The Sacred Harp we use with “Thanks to the hand that set us free.”

Hymn XIII. L. M.

As thy days, so shall thy strength be. Deut. xxxiii 25.

1. Afflicted soul, to Jesus dear,

The Saviour’s gracious promise hear;

His faithful word declares to thee,

That as thy days, thy strength shall be.

2. Let not thy heart despond and say,

“How shall I stand the trying day?”

He has engag’d by firm decree,

That as thy days, thy strength shall be.

3. Thy faith is weak, thy foes are strong;

Yet sure the conflict shan’t be long,

Thy Lord shall make the tempter flee;

For as thy days, thy strength shall be.

4. The christian race with patience run,

Till grace compleat the work begun;

Wrestle and strive for victory,

For as thy days, thy strength shall be.

5. Should persecution rage and flame,

Still trust in thy Redeemer’s name;

In fiery trials thou shalt see,

That as thy days, thy strength shall be.

6. When called to bear the weighty cross,

Or sore afflictions, pain, or loss,

Or deep distress, or poverty,

Still as thy days, thy strength shall be.

7. When ghastly death appears in view,

Christ’s presence shall thy fears subdue;

He comes to set thy spirit free,

And as thy days, thy strength shall be.

Above is the hymn as it appears originally in Fawcett’s hymn book. Below is the more common, slightly revised way that it appears in many modern hymnals.

1. Afflicted saint, to Christ draw near,

The Savior’s gracious promise hear;

His faithful word declares to thee,

That as thy days, thy strength shall be.

2. Let not thy heart despond and say,

“How shall I stand the trying day?”

He has engaged by firm decree,

That as thy days, thy strength shall be.

3. Thy faith is weak, thy foes are strong;

And though the conflict should be long,

Thy Lord will make the tempter flee;

for as thy days, thy strength shall be.

4. Should persecution rage and flame,

Still trust in thy Redeemer’s name;

In fiery trials thou shalt see,

That as thy days, thy strength shall be.

5. When called to bear the weighty cross,

Of sore affliction, pain or loss,

Or deep distress, or poverty,

Still as thy days, thy strength shall be.

6. When ghastly death appears in view,

Christ’s presence shall thy fears subdue;

he comes to set thy spirit free,

And as thy days, thy strength shall be.

A hope and a future

When our children were graduating High School, Jeremiah 29:11 was a popular verse used with graduation cards, gifts and so forth. It may still be popular. The text, probably quoted from the New International Version of the Bible, reminds graduates that God has “plans to give you hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

While this Scripture is true and still speaks to us today (Romans 15:4), the contextless verse often “says” to the reader “God has a great future for me” (with “great” meaning “what I want and expect”). The context straightens the meaning out for us, which is deeper and fuller than the “verse on a card” or “verse on a cup” approach. Here also is the reading from the King James Version of the Bible:

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you,[i] saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

The words of verse 11 are part of the prophecy of Jeremiah “to all the people whom Nebuchadnezzar had carried away captive from Jerusalem to Babylon” (Jeremiah 29:1).  Prophets rose up in Babylon to speak falsely in Jehovah’s name (Jeremiah 29:21). Among those who remained in Jerusalem, Hananiah said that within two years God would break the yoke of the king of Babylon, bring back those who had already gone into captivity, and restore the vessels of the Lord’s house to the temple (Jeremiah 28:2-4). Into this lie Jeremiah must speak the truth. Not only will this not happen, but those who are still at Jerusalem will also go into captivity! The yoke will not be broken in two years, but Israelites will remain captives in a strange land for seventy years.[ii] Do not spend the next two years expecting to come home, but settle down for the long term in the land where you are – “And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the Lord for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace.” (Jer. 29:7). This is the context and meaning in its context – God knows the thoughts and plans he has for Israel (Cf. Isaiah 55:9). Those to whom he has not revealed those thought are liars (Romans 3:4). The Lord has thoughts of peace and prosperity in their future. Even their captivity, though a judgment, is for their good (Jeremiah 24:5). Their history is not concluded – it has a future – and there will be an ending in fulfillment of their expectations.[iii] God knows – he does not forget what he purposes to do.

To us this speaks today, within the context of Jeremiah and the general principles taught in the Bible. We look not for the fulfilling of all our desires. We know not all the thoughts God has, but we know that even in the midst of that which is disappointing, depressing, and distressing, God is working all things for good to them that love him, to them who are the called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).  

---

[i] “I alone” – not the false prophets who pretend to speak for me.

[ii] This had already been expressed by Jeremiah, as recorded in Jeremiah 25:11-12.

[iii] The “expected end” must be understood in the context of God’s work among his people Israel more than applied to individuals. The current generation – “the elders which were carried away captives” – would never return to their homeland, but their hopes could be fulfilled in their children and grandchildren (Cf. 1 Chronicles 22:7; 1 Chronicles 28:6).

Safely confiding

“Then we can go on without fear, trusting in the Lord who ‘worketh all things after the counsel of his own will,’ who turneth the king’s heart withersoever he will, as the rivers of water are turned, who declares that the wicked are his sword, and the men of the world his hand, who commandeth and raiseth the stormy wind, and who saith to the sea, ‘Thus far shalt thou come, but no farther.’ In this glorious God, ‘whose counsel shall stand and who will do all his pleasure,’ we can safely confide, assured that he will in his own time and way bring us into the full enjoyment of that righteousness for which we hunger and thirst, and cause us to dwell in his presence forever.” – Silas H. Durand, February, 1887

The Lord is our shepherd, we never shall want; 
In him may we safely confide. 
He’ll guard us in danger, direct us in doubt, 
And everything needful provide.
Stanza 1, Hymn 286 in Sacred Poetry and Music Reconciled, Or, A Collection of Hymns Original and Compiled, by Samuel Willard, 1830

Their hearts shall not be moved 
Who in the Lord confide, 
But, firm as Zion’s hill, 
They ever shall abide: 
As mountains shield Jerusalem
The Lord shall be a shield to them.
Stanza 1, Hymn 672 (Psalm 125) in The Sabbath Hymn Book: for the Service of Song in the House of the Lord, edited by Edwards Amasa Park, Austin Phelps and Lowell Mason, 1858

Since all that I meet 
Shall work for my good,
The bitter is sweet, 
The medicine is food;
Though painful at present 
‘Twill cease before long,
And then, O how pleasant 
The conqueror’s song.
John Newton, Stanza 7 of “I Will Trust and Not Be Afraid” in Olney Hymns, which begins “Begone, unbelief, My Saviour is near…”

The Providential Best

The Providential Best. 8.8.8.6.D. (2006)

1. God, what Thou hast prepared for me,

I do not know, I cannot see,

But satisfied that it will be

Thy providential best.

Thy Word assures, Thou, Father, art

With sovereign grace and loving heart

A watchman o’er Thy children’s part,

And give eternal rest.

My Life Wasn't Supposed To Turn Out Like This

I just read My Life Wasn't Supposed To Turn Out Like This by Stephen Altrogge. I don't know anything about Altrogge and only saw the article because my daughter linked it on Facebook. I recommend it to you for your reading. Here are a few excerpts.

"Up until two years ago, I thought I had my life pretty well mapped out...Then things took a strange turn."

"Maybe you can relate...The idyllic notions of your youth have been smashed upon the rocks of reality."

"God often takes his people on strange paths through uncharted territories."

"God took David on a path David would never have chosen for himself so that he could teach David things he could never have learned otherwise."

"The testimony of 10,000 saints is this: God knows what he is doing."

The long and short of a twelve year span

Twelve years can be a long, long time – or a brief period – according to its events and our perspective. Mark 5:21-43 tells the story of two women who shared the same twelve years of time (verses 25 and 42). The first had an ongoing health struggle that had endured twelve years. In that time she sought healing and pinned her hopes on many physicians – physicians whose “cures” were painful in themselves and that drained her of her last penny and her last ounce of earthly hope. For all this she was not any better, but instead grew worse. For her twelve years was a long, long time in which she had suffered greatly. The second was a young girl whose entire life span was only equal to the twelve years of suffering the first had encountered, and now she was dying.

Life is busy and distracting. As these two women suffered, life bustled around them. Jesus had taught great multitudes, removed himself from them, calmed a storm at sea, cast demons from a maniac, and then returned across the sea to be thronged by a great multitude of people. Among this throng came Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, with an urgent request. His twelve year old daughter was at the point of death, and Jesus seemed his only hope. Jesus accepted his request and headed to help the girl, with a jostling multitude tagging along. Among this crowd was the distressed woman who had been sick as long as Jairus’s daughter had been alive. Out of money and out of options, she thought if she could just even touch the hem of the garment of this marvelous worker of miracles she could be healed. And she was!

Then the procession to Jairus’s house stopped. Perhaps Jairus’s heart stopped also. Jesus – knowing who touched him – asked who touched him. The distraught disciples were disturbed by the question. Everybody is touching you and you ask who is touching you?? But Jesus laid his eyes on the one who touched him and she came forward, fell down before him and told her whole story. Jesus her faith, blessed her departure and assured her the permanence of her healing. While he was speaking this a dreaded report was delivered from the household of Jairus: “Thy daughter is dead.” All was stopped, all was still, all was sad for this man whose hopes had run so high. Now, now, nothing. Trouble the Master no further. Hope has fled.

The Bard of Ayrshire Robert Burns warned us “The best-laid schemes o’ mice an’ men gang aft agley An’ lea’e us nought but grief an’ pain, for promis’d joy!” Plan and scheme as we might, sickness and death are perennial and unavoidable. Despite the first woman’s plans and all the doctors’ assistance, she could not get any better. Sickness is an ubiquitous imprint of a fallen world. There is no life without it. Some may be sick more and some sick less, but all will be sick, and some, like Elisha, will “fall sick of the sickness whereof they die” – for death is unavoidable and there in no discharge from that war. Jairus had grand designs of meeting with the Master of disease and death before his daughter could die, but his plans went awry as well. It is easy to expect that he was envious of the cure of the one Jesus called “Daughter,” which delayed the Lord’s arrival at his own home to heal his own daughter.

Delay and frustration are inevitable and patience is a virtue. We will not eliminate the former, so must “let patience have her perfect work.” In our society we become more and more accustomed to instant gratification – getting what we want when we want it. The first daughter wanted healing twelve years before she got it. The fearful father wanted Jesus to get to his home quickly to heal his daughter. Mary and Martha wanted Jesus to come to Lazarus as quickly as possible, but when he arrived four days late he was right on time! None got what they wanted, but in the end they received “exceeding abundantly above all that they could ask or think.” Though Jairus hoped for healing for his beloved twelve year old, he received resurrection instead. Jesus walked into the room of despair and rebuked it, spoke the word and the little one revived. Glory!

“Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy (James 5:11).” Though our schemes and plans, hopes and dreams “gang aft agley,” it is not true that there is nought but grief and pain for promised joy! Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning! Where Christ is there is hope. The doctors could not help, and even hurt, the first “daughter” – and apparently had done little to help the second. But the Great Physician now is near, “lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone.”

When we think of twelve years of continual worsening sickness, we perceive such a long, long time of one dreary day dragging on after another, without help and without hope. When we think of a child dying at age twelve, we perceive such an unusually brief life, one taken in a moment, as we say, “before her time.” And yet it was the same time, the same twelve years. Into each of those twelve years walked the Master of the Storm, the Wearer of the efficacious garment, the Voice that says, “Arise.” Life is busy, distracting, and full of pain and woe. Sickness and death are perennial and unavoidable, delay and frustration are inevitable. Patience – waiting on the Lord – is a virtue. Know this. Where Christ is there is hope. Wait on the Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope; touch the hem of his garment – Christ in you, the hope of glory – and hear him say to that which rages within us, “Peace, be still and to our death “Live, Arise.”

The Great Physician now is near,

The sympathizing Jesus;

He speaks the drooping heart to cheer,

Oh, hear the voice of Jesus!

Sweetest note in seraph song;

Sweetest name on mortal tongue;

Sweetest carol ever sung:

Jesus, blessed Jesus!

An exceeding great and precious promise

Roman 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

Paul presents a powerful promise to a powerless people. It gives us confidence and encouragement. It should cause us to sing and rejoice. Evangelist R. A. Torrey (1856-–1928) said that the promise of Romans 8:28 “is a soft pillow for a tired heart.”

• The promise is knowable, comprehensible, plain (“We know”). It is beneficial to us. Not only is it certain -- else we could not know -- but we reap the benefits of knowing we have God's promise, that God is at work for our good.
• The promise is complete (“all things”). Not some things. Not a few things, but all things. All things are not good, but in all things God is working good. 
• The promise is controlled by God (“work together”). Things do not haphazardly, randomly or accidentally work together. “God works” -- He is the cause of the promise and the cause behind the promise. “In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will.” Ephesians 1:11
• The promise is beneficent (“for good”). It confers benefits through God's kind action and benevolent purpose. We don't live in a world where things just happen, but where things happen for a reason, under the good hand of God. 
• The promise is distinguishing, directed to a specific people (“to them that love God, to them who are the called”). God can do all the good He wants to anyone He wants at anytime He wants -- but this promise is not to everybody. It is to those whom God has called, to those who love God because He first loved them. These specific people can depend on it, all the time. 
• The promise is intentional, directed for a specific purpose (“called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son”). God's work is “for good,” but that alone is not the sole purpose. God's purpose is also described as bringing those He foreknew and predestinated in conformity to the image of His Son. “...be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:2

2 Peter 1:3-4 “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”

This I know - My Saviour knows

This I know/My Saviour knows by E. Margaret Clarkson

I do not know what next may come 
Across my pilgrim way; 
I do not know tomorrow's road, 
Nor see beyond today. 
But this I know -- my Saviour knows 
The path I cannot see; 
And I can trust His wounded hand 
To guide and care for me. 

I do not know what may befall, 
Of sunshine or of rain; 
I do not know what may be mine, 
Of pleasure and of pain; 
But this I know -- my Saviour knows 
And whatsoe'er it be 
Still I can trust his love to give 
What will be best for me. 

I do not know what may await, 
Or what the morrow brings; 
But with the glad salute of faith, 
I hail its opening wings; 
For this I know -- that in my Lord 
Shall all my needs be met; 
And I can trust the heart of Him, 
Who has not failed me yet.

The Rock of My Refuge

Printed in The Postman, London, England, October 1881, page 1

1. The Lord's our Rock; in Him we hide,
A shelter in the time of storm;
Secure whatever ill betide,
A shelter in the time of storm.

Refrain:
Oh, Jesus is a Rock in a weary land, A weary land, a weary land;
Oh, Jesus is a Rock in a weary land, A shelter in the time of storm.

2. A shade by day, defence by night,
A shelter in the time of storm;
No fears alarm, no foes affright,
A shelter in the time of storm.
[Refrain]

3. The fiercest storms may round us beat,
A shelter in the time of storm;
We'll never quit our safe retreat,
A shelter in the time of storm.
[Refrain]

4. O Rock divine, O Refuge dear,
A shelter in the time of storm;
When needed most be ever near,
A shelter in the time of storm.
[Refrain]

Originally from The Rock of Ages No. 8 of Fullerton and Smith's Song Services, edited by Vernon J. Charlesworth, circa 1880

Not one thing failed

"Not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the Lord your God spake concerning you."—Joshua xxiii. 14.

"Say, my soul, in looking back the past year, canst thou set thy seal to this truth? Is there a promise which thy God hath not fulfilled? Is there an instance in which God hath forfeited his word? Canst thou point to the time, or place, in any one trial, or under any one affliction, in which thou hast not found God faithful? Give then the Lord the honour due unto his name. If not one thing hath failed, proclaim his glory, set forth his praise, declare his truth, let the father to the children make known that God is faithful. And Oh let thine heart bear testimony to what must be said of all his Israel, in all ages, "What hath God wrought."

By Robert Hawker

When God answers

Call unto me, and I will answer thee... Jeremiah 33:3

3 things that may happen to us when God answers:

We get what we want but find out we don't want what we got.
Numbers 11: And the mixt multitude that was among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat? We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlick: But now our soul is dried away: there is nothing at all, beside this manna, before our eyes... And the LORD said unto Moses...say thou unto the people, Sanctify yourselves against to morrow, and ye shall eat flesh: for ye have wept in the ears of the LORD, saying, Who shall give us flesh to eat? for it was well with us in Egypt: therefore the LORD will give you flesh, and ye shall eat. Ye shall not eat one day, nor two days, nor five days, neither ten days, nor twenty days; But even a whole month, until it come out at your nostrils, and it be loathsome unto you: because that ye have despised the LORD which is among you, and have wept before him, saying, Why came we forth out of Egypt?...And there went forth a wind from the LORD, and brought quails from the sea, and let them fall by the camp...And the people stood up all that day, and all that night, and all the next day, and they gathered the quails: he that gathered least gathered ten homers: and they spread them all abroad for themselves round about the camp. And while the flesh was yet between their teeth, ere it was chewed, the wrath of the LORD was kindled against the people, and the LORD smote the people with a very great plague.

The Israelites exiting Egypt could hardly enjoy their new-found freedom for desiring the "privileges" they had in slavery. Tired of eating something supplied directly from the God of heaven, they "fell a lusting" for some flesh to eat, remembering their slave diet back in Egypt. Well, simply put, God gave them their desire. He gave it and gave it and gave it until they became sick of it. Not only that, He judged them in the midst of the whole situation.

We humans are sinful folk full of desires that don't satisfy once we have them. Nay, not only are we not satisfied, very often we find we don't even want what we got once we've got it. How much better to pray "give us this day our daily bread" than "sate us with all the things we desire." God knows what we need better than we know ourselves. Pity the poor fool who gets what he wants.

We can't believe we got what we asked for.
Acts 12: Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him...the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands... Peter...came to the house of Mary ...where many were gathered together praying. And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel...named Rhoda...when she knew Peter's voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate. And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel. But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished.

God is a God who is "able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think (Eph 3:20)." Sometimes we must question whether we even believe that He is able to do what we ask. When Peter was cast in prison by Herod, the church in Jerusalem engaged in constant intercession on his behalf. Yet when an angel miraculously plucked Peter from prison, not only was he surprised, but the church that had been hoping for such a thing couldn't believe it. The messenger was first accused of being mad, then of being mistaken. When they saw the truth of the matter, they were astonished!

God is such as awesome God it is no surprise that we should constantly be amazed and astonished at His marvelous works and wonders. But when we are astonished that He does exactly what we asked, perhaps we should pause with wonder and say with the father whose son was possessed by an evil spirit, "Lord, I believe. Help Thou mine unbelief." The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

We don't think God answered.
Micah 3: Then shall they cry unto the LORD, but he will not hear them: he will even hide his face from them at that time, as they have behaved themselves ill in their doings...Therefore night shall be unto you, that ye shall not have a vision; and it shall be dark unto you, that ye shall not divine ; and the sun shall go down over the prophets, and the day shall be dark over them. Then shall the seers be ashamed, and the diviners confounded  yea, they shall all cover their lips; for there is no answer of God.

Sometimes we pray and then think God did not answer. In a sense this is true, as with the false prophets that God "would not hear" but rather "hid His face". For all their supposed abilities, in the end "there is no answer of God." Yet in "no answer" there is a "no" answer. God was not literally unable to hear them, but He "will not" hear them; that is, their prayers are futile and God has no respect toward them for they are not His prophets. They will not receive what they ask.

Whether false prophets or sincere children of God, sometimes it seems like there is no answer from heaven. Let us learn to understand that in "no answer" there is a "no" answer. God is not off on a far journey, asleep, or hard of hearing. When we don't think God answers, know that God is answering. The answer is "no".

In these three compared situations, I see judgement, blessing and providence. 

When Israel rejected God as their spiritual leader and asked for an earthly king like all the other nations, God gave them what they asked for. This gift included God's judgment on them as a people. In having an earthly king they would be one step further removed from God. The specific kings would exercise their own wills upon them, excise taxes, compel citizens into their service, declare wars, be an extra burden on the nation, and in the end be much more a force for evil than for good. Things would never go back to the way they were. God's answers to us sometimes include judgment.

Even in judgment God remembers mercy, and in His dealings with His people we can bountifully profess that the blessings we receive are "exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think." From the cake to the icing on top, God is good to us. Truly God is good. Every good and perfect gift comes from our heavenly Father above. God's answers to us include blessings, many we can't even imagine.

When we get a "no" answer from God, our first human instinct is to pout and complain. We want it. We should get it. But remember the wandering Israelites who got the meat they wanted and the wondering Israelites who got the king they wanted. How much better to not get what we think we want when we don't need it, than to get what we think we want and not want it after we've got it! This reveals the truth that in all God's answers we find God's providence. He knows what to answer and when and how. His answers are the best. Always. Whether judgement, blessing, or seemingly no answer at all. He is always working all things together for the good of them that love Him.

Praise God from Whom all blessings flow.

For nothing and in everything

Philippians 4:6 -- Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

The negative stated and excluded. "Be careful for nothing..." "Careful" here means to be full of cares -- worry, doubt, fear, anxiety. The Christian should not live a life filled with anxious cares. "For nothing" excludes it from all cases. How can we remove our doubts in the present and not worry over the future? By casting all our care on our Heavenly Father. He cares for us. Thus we see...

The positive stated and enjoined. "...in every thing...let your requests be made known unto God." Things we encounter in life are "too big" for us to carry. But nothing is too big for God! Prayer acknowledges our helpfulness and God's power. In everything -- in all cases -- we should pour out our requests before God. With thanksgiving we acknowledge His kind care over us thus far, and know it will continue.

Thus far the Lord hath led me on
Thus far His power prolongs my days;
And every evening shall make known
Some fresh memorial of His grace.
(Isaac Watts)

Manna

MANNA. Ex 16:18

Manna to Israel well supplied
The want of other bread;
While God is able to provide,
His people shall be fed.

(Thus though the corn and wine should fail,
And creature-streams be dry;
The prayer of faith will still prevail,
For blessings from on high.)

Of his kind care how sweet a proof!
It suited every taste;
Who gathered most, had just enough,
Enough, who gathered least.

'Tis thus our gracious Lord provides
Our comforts and our cares;
His own unerring hand provides,
And gives us each our shares.

He knows how much the weak can bear,
And helps them when they cry;
The strongest have no strength to spare,
For such he'll strongly try.

Daily they saw the Manna come,
And cover all the ground;
But what they tried to keep at home,
Corrupted soon was found.

Vain their attempt to store it up,
This was to tempt the Lord;
Israel must live by faith and hope,
And not upon a hoard.

John Newton (1725-1807)
Olney Hymns, 1779