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Issue 15 - September 2005
Our Abundant God
Michael A. Verdicchio
All it takes is a casual look outside. Can you see it? Almost everywhere you look there are obvious signs of an abundant God. The Creator of the heaven and the earth has left little question as to His abundant supply.
How many different kinds of trees are there? How many varieties under each one? What about birds, and animals, etc., etc., etc. Here in Arizona we have lemon trees and anyone who has one will be quick to tell you that it is just about impossible to harvest the entire crop of one backyard lemon tree! Every year the lemon tree just produces more and more and more! It is obvious evidence of the abundance of the Creator.
In the Old Testament God promised His people Israel great prosperity and abundance, because He loved them. In fact, if you read some of the records in Deuteronomy you will see that God's desire was for His people, Israel, to be the most blessed people on the face of the earth! He wanted all the other nations to see how He had blessed them!
(On this web site, under "Free Stuff" there are some Scripture references that pertain to God blessing Israel then, and His blessing us today. Under "Pass-Alongs", look for "Prosperity".)
Psalm 1:1-3:
Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
That is quite a promise! Whatsoever he does shall prosper! Prosper means that you are successful, that you receive the results you desire, that your path in life is successful. Only you can define what prosperity is for you, but, never forget that God is not limited! He is an abundant God with unlimited resources! How else could He make such big promises like the one above and others?
Proverbs 3:10:
So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
Malachi 3:10-12:
Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.
And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts.
How big is that? God promised to pour out blessings so big there wouldn't be room enough to receive them! That not only shows God's great unlimited abundance, but also His great willingness to bless His people. And here again in this section, God wanted all the other nations to see how He had blessed His people, Israel.
Since the Day of Pentecost, according to God's Word, God's people are no longer from any one nation. God's people today are those who are born again, called, "children of God", and, "sons of God".
Romans 8:16:
The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
Today, God's people are His children, whether they come from a Judean background or a Gentile background.
So when you look at God's desire and His promises to bless His people abundantly in the Old Testament, you have to ask yourself a question? Would He desire to do any less for His children today? Absolutely not! "I am the Lord, I change not."
II Corinthians 9:8:
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:
It is very noteworthy that the word, "sufficiency" in this verse is from a Greek word that means, "a condition in life in which no aid or support is needed". The words, "make", "abound", and again, "abound" are all from the same Greek word that means, "to super abound, to excel, to exceed, to increase".
This verse here in II Corinthians 9 is addressed to God's children. This verse just thunders with His desire for us to have abundance! He wants to bless us in every category. It is never the will of God that we lack in any category of life.
God desired and promised great abundance for His people in the Old Testament. Today to He desires and has promised great abundance for His children. He has not lost any of His power to bring whatever deliverance is needed. God has not changed. All He asks is that we believe Him.
And just how big will He bless His children today? A verse in Ephesians, also addressed to His children, sums it up quite nicely.
Ephesians 3:20 and 21:
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.
That is the limit. God wants each and every one of His children blessed, successful and prosperous. Ask Him, trust Him, and He will give you the desires of your heart.
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