'...no good thing does he withhold from those
whose way of life is blameless.'
Psalm 84v11
The situation is serious. Once again we are faced with a national lockdown. It's hard for those in business, stressful for those without work and lonely for those who are isolated. How will we get through this? It's difficult for all. Yet this level 5 problem is confronted by a level 5 promise!
The Promise of God
It's good news in the face of so much bad news: '...no good thing does he withhold...' God is generous and kind. As the creator and ruler of the universe, his resources are limitless. This glorious and good God promises that he will not withhold any good gift from us. He is not a tight fisted tyrant but a compassionate loving Father, who understands, cares and knows. Now we must be careful not to distort the promise. The promise is not what we want or even what we think we need, but what God knows to be best for us. He will give what we will need for every situation we face - peace, strength, joy, comfort, grace and mercy. It's a great promise.
The Problem of Me
The promise is true but there's a problem. It comes with a condition: '...no good thing does he withhold from those whose way of life is blameless.' For the promise to be experienced I must live a blameless life! Now that's a problem! Even on my very best days my life is far from blameless - in fact I am to blame for many things. If only I could be good so that I could experience God's good gifts. The fact that I don't receive, is not because God is mean - but because I do not love him with all my heart soul and mind. So much for the promise.
The person of Christ
But don't loose heart. Be careful that this condition does not trip you up. You see there is one, only one, 'whose way of life is blameless.' He is the God/Man Jesus Christ who lived a perfect life, without sin, without fault. He did love God with all his heart, soul and mind. The good news is Christ fulfils this promise for us. Christ walks the obedient life for us so that 'no good thing will he withhold' from us.
Through Christ we are presented to the Father as: 'holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation.' (Colossians 1v22) So the promise is gloriously true and is experienced by all who look in faith to Christ. That's why the Apostle Paul can say with such confidence: 'And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.' (Philippians 4v19)
So a Level 5 problem can be faced with a Level 5 promise.
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