GRACE GAZETTE
Volume XIXIssue 38
Published occasionally for Zion's mourners
Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. Hebrews 12::12-13

A WEANED CHILD

Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child. Psalm 131:2

As we read through the Psalms, we are blessed to consider that the vast majority of them are the prayers of CHRIST JESUS and HIS interactions with HIS heavenly FATHER. The Psalms were given primarily to David to record for the people of GOD in all ages. “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” (2Pet 1:20-21) Those Psalms which are not specifically the communication of CHRIST to HIS FATHER, nonetheless, ultimately point to CHRIST and the SPIRIT’s unction upon those earthly transcribers of the Holy Writ.

All prophecy throughout the scriptures is given for the purpose of revealing CHRIST to those whom the LORD is pleased to give eyes to see. “For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” (Rev 19:10) This is exactly what the LORD JESUS told HIS disciples that HIS SPIRIT would declare as HE would lead them into all TRUTH. “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.” (John 16:13-15)

It is unfortunate that many so called “teachers and preachers” tell men that the Bible is basically a Book which gives direction as to how men should live their lives. While we are certain that there is indeed much instruction for the children of GOD to be found in its pages, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” (2Tim 3:16-17), yet the only means whereby this might be accomplished in the sons of GOD is as they are led to look to CHRIST for all things.

Paul does not abandon the exhortation for the sons of GOD to follow the steps of CHRIST when HE says, “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.” (1Cor 1:30-31) Rather he reminds the reader that CHRIST alone is the HOLINESS of the sons of GOD. For this is the testimony of CHRIST as HE walked in human flesh, tempted in all points as we are yet without sin of any kind. “I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.” (Psa 130:5)

If CHRIST confessed that HIS hope was in the “WORD” of the LORD, how much more are we constrained to cast ourselves down at HIS feet who is the “WORD” of the LIVING GOD, revealed in flesh and blood. We despair of bringing one iota of our own effort before HIM and can only cling to that which CHRIST has done for us, and does presently work in us according to HIS purpose. “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” (Php 2:12-13) Can any man improve upon that which CHRIST has wrought and can we look anywhere else for HELP except in HIM who is the RIGHTEOUSNESS of GOD?

The strength and triumph of the sons of GOD is found in CHRIST. The expectation of acceptance before the throne of GOD is found there as well. Who makes us to differ from another and what do we have that we have not received? “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And 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. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.” (Rom 12:1-3)

Some will surely say that we are saying there is nothing for the sons of GOD “to do”. That is quite perceptive if one means there is no fleshly effort involved in walking according to the will of GOD. Yet there is indeed much that is done in the sons of GOD by HIM who dwells in them, making them “new creatures” in CHRIST. Whereas there was once a reliance upon the flesh, now there is a fear of such. Whereas once there was a satisfaction in having performed various good deeds and supposed obedience, now there is an awareness of the weakness of such attempts and a desire to flee from such and be found in CHRIST “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death.” (Php 3:7-10)

When a newborn babe is brought into the world, he has no thought to anything but seeking that which will satisfy his own desires. If he is uncomfortable, he will fret and cry until someone comforts him. He has no idea who it is who seeks to meet his needs, nor might I add does he really care, because his own desire is utmost in his mind. If he is hungry, he does not make a request to be fed, but rather he demands it. He finds fulfilment in suckling at his mother’s breast, but he could find equal satisfaction in the breast of another or even a bottle of warm formula.

As time goes on, he develops a bond of affection with his mother who nurtures and cares for him, but still he is primarily concerned in having his own needs met and has no perception of finding fulfillment otherwise. His mother is most important to his survival, but he has no understanding of that fact, only that he gets what he seeks after. But the day comes as he matures and is weaned from his mothers’ breast that his contentment is found in the tender care of his mother more so than the immediate need of being fed from her breast.

CHRIST speaks of being “quieted” as ONE who is weaned of HIS mother. We read of this very situation, “Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered”. (Heb 5:8) “The Lord GOD hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back. I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting. For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.” (Isa 50:5-7) “And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” (Php 2:8)

As a WEANED CHILD HE delighted to do HIS FATHER’s will rather than HIS own. HIS joy was found in performing that which HE was sent to do. “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Heb 12:2) Left to ourselves we are all as the unweaned child, who seeks his own comfort and rests in having his own desires met. We would soon complain about the difficulties and trials of life. Yet we are exhorted to consider HIM as HE is our COMFORTER. “For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.” (Heb 12:3-4) CHRIST alone is our HOPE, our HELP, and our PERFORMER. “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.” (1Thess 5:23-24) Is CHRIST the SUM of your RIGHTEOUSNESS?
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