Welcome, friends, to another
broadcast of Morsels for Zion's Poor. We often wish to draw water
with joy out of the wells of salvation, but alas, the rope
holding the bucket is far too short, or either the bucket cannot
be found. We are often hindered by the
besetting sins of our flesh and the dregs of unbelief, which
sometimes plague even the strongest of believers. The trials of our
faith, which are ordained by God, are also designed to hide
that joy for a season, that we may rejoice in it the more when
we enjoy his smile. Now the proud religionists of
our day scoff at such an idea and tell us that we can be strong
and believe by just deciding to do so. They tell us just to
think positively and we can overcome any obstacle. Yet those who are
acquainted with the blackness of sin, which yet remains in
their flesh, and the weakness which they have by nature, are
also well acquainted with the fact that the clear revelation
of God's mercies can only be laid hold upon as he sees fit
to give it according to his sovereign will. What we simply left to
wallow in the blackness of our own soul without any hope, we
should likely be destroyed. But He has left us great and
precious promises that are a help to us, even when the clouds have
obscured the sun and the chilly north winds howl upon us, as
we traverse a dry and thirsty land where no water is. Sometimes
fears and doubts get the best of us, and it is in such times
as these that the only comfort that we find is in knowing that
the Lion of the tribe of Judah has prevailed over sin and death,
and has given us a hope in him, though we feel it not. What time
I am afraid, I will trust in thee. Flee as a bird to your
mountain. Some will say, what possible
purpose could such trials be to the sons of God? Paul was
well acquainted with the answer to that question as he wrote
to the Corinthians. For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant
of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed
out of measure above strength, insomuch that we despaired even
of life. But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we
should not trust in ourselves, but in God, which raiseth the
dead. Nothing that has to do with the hope and security of
the sons of God is in any way dependent on them, most assuredly
not in the eternal sense and most definitely not in our enjoyment
of that which he has secured for us in this world. He alone
is our hope and our salvation. As Job said, though he slay me,
yet will I trust him. Or as Peter testified, to whom
shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal
life. A clear title is a legal deed which has no encumbrances
upon it. It is held in strict ownership
by the purchaser and those he may convey that title to. It
cannot be revoked nor taken away in a court of law. Christ Jesus
our Lord and Redeemer has purchased for His elect a clear title to
those mansions He has gone to prepare for them. This title
was His, and then theirs according to His decree to bestow it upon
them, as those whom He chose to receive it from before the
foundation of the world. For God hath not appointed us
to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ. Their
ability to benefit from this clear title was lost by them,
as He designed their fall in Adam to demonstrate His grace
in procuring it for them. But the scripture hath concluded
all under sin, for all have sinned and come short of the glory of
God. In order for a son to inherit the possessions which are decreed
to be his and a written will, the one writing the will must
die. For where a testament is, there must also of necessity
be the death of the testator. For the testament is of force
after men are dead. Otherwise it is of no strength
at all while the testator liveth. Therefore it behooved him to
suffer in our stead, to satisfy the claims of the law, which
we were made subject to, and to die in order that we might
be inheritors of the blessings which he declared that should
be ours. For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in
of a better hope did, by the which we draw nigh unto God.
By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. The ability
of the saints to enjoy this clear title is dependent on His sovereign
purpose in showing it to them. But as many as received Him,
to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them
that believe on His name, which were born, not of blood, nor
of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
As they are given eyes to see this clear title clearly, they
are strengthened in the way. Blessed are they that dwell in
thy house. They will still be praising thee,
say, La. Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee, and whose
heart are the ways of them, who passing through the valley of
Baca maketh it a well. The rain also filleth the pools.
They go from strength to strength. Every one of them in Zion appeareth
before God. Can you see your title clear
in Christ? For a free CD containing 15 of
these radio broadcasts, send an email to forthepoor at windstream.net.