PROMISES IN PROPORTION ROSS SMITH
A certain lethargy has overtaken the 21st-century church in that, having initially made our peace with God, then it is assumed that there is nothing more required of us. Nothing could be further from the truth. But if we are to qualify for entrance into the eternal dimensions and rule and reign with Christ, then there is a certain expectation spelled out throughout scripture, and none more succinct than that penned by the Psalmist
Psalm 33:22 Let Your mercy and loving-kindness, O Lord, be upon us, IN PROPORTION to our waiting and hoping for You.
This verse sets the caveat for the extension of God’s mercy and loving-kindness, and clarifies the conditions, none of which are outside the grasp of any man, and not restricted by man’s imposed regulations.
“PROPORTION” Is the comparative relation between things or magnitudes as to size, quantity, number, etc.; ratio. proper relation between things or part.
Where Amplified version states “In proportion to” the KJV states “According as”, neither interpretation leaving any ambiguity. To explain the extent of this statement, Strong’s has a comprehensive listing under H834.
In plain terms, the Psalmist is saying we will only be able to access Father’s mercy and loving-kindness as we put in the effort required, and then it will be on the basis of how seriously we apply ourselves. This cuts across those distorted misconceptions that propose that God’s mercy and loving kindness are boundless to us, but has no conditions attached, such as “once saved, always saved”.
Colossians1:23 [And this He will do] PROVIDED THAT you continue to stay with and in the faith [in Christ], well-grounded and settled and steadfast, not shifting or moving away from the hope [which rests on and is inspired by] the glad tidings (the Gospel), which you heard and which has been preached [as being designed for and offered without restrictions] to every person under heaven, and of which [Gospel] I, Paul, became a minister.
Certainly, Gods mercy and loving kindness are boundless, scripture identifies just how vast it is, but to presume on God, and expect that He will parcel out His munificence when we are not reciprocal in our attention to His just demands, is tantamount to attempted fraud, or at least, presumption.
Psalm 86:15 But You, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and ABOUNDING IN MERCY AND LOVING-KINDNESS AND TRUTH. (Truth, is also accuracy or veracity.. comments mine)
“OUR EXPECTANCY IS LIMITED BY OUR APPLICATION”
It is not an acceptable proposition to build a premise on one scripture, so we need to see what else the Word says. The Apostle Peter is very specific in describing the degree of effort and application required.
2 Peter 1:5-8 FOR THIS VERY REASON, ( spelt out in verses 2-4, and this fulfillment is dependent upon the compliance with verses 5-8) ) ADDING your diligence [to the divine promises], EMPLOY EVERY EFFORT in EXERCISING your faith to DEVELOP virtue (excellence, resolution, CHRISTIAN ENERGY), and in [EXERCISING] virtue [DEVELOP] knowledge (intelligence), And in [EXERCISING] knowledge [DEVELOP] self-control, and in [EXERCISING] self-control [DEVELOP] steadfastness (patience, endurance), and in [EXERCISING] steadfastness [DEVELOP] godliness (piety), And in [EXERCISING] godliness [DEVELOP] brotherly affection, and in [EXERCISING] brotherly affection [DEVELOP] Christian love. For as these qualities are yours and INCREASINGLY ABOUND in you, they will keep [you] from being idle or unfruitful unto the [full personal] knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).
The exhortation 2 Peter 1, is bound up in the “ADDING AND EXERCISING AND DEVELOPING”, not just in one area of our lives but in a comprehensive and wide-ranging dedication and commitment across an extensive range of character traits. Are you already panting with the exertion of “adding, exercising and developing”, if so, you will get better as you practice? Peter says, “EMPLOY EVERY EFFORT” which does not leave a lot of wriggle room for those of us who have been comfortable in the mistaken belief that “we are saved by grace and nothing else matters”.
Seven times we are encouraged to “EXERCISE and DEVELOP” and one of the characteristics listed is “CHRISTIAN ENERGY”. So, if we are reticent to engage in a whole-hearted manner then the “PROPORTION” will be the consequence, His generosity attenuated by our response.
We should reflect on what it is we are limiting by our proportionate application or lack thereof, and the “commodity we are restricting is God’s “MERCY AND LOVING KINDNESS”.
Lamentation 3:22 It is because of the Lord’s MERCY AND LOVING-KINDNESS that we are not consumed, because His [tender] COMPASSIONS fail not. (Lamentations 3:23)
I like how Jeremiah has knit these characteristics/shortcomings together so that they form an all-encompassing remedy for my failures. “COMPASSION” is defined as “sympathetic consciousness of others’ distress together with a desire to alleviate it.” And so, the intent of this enormous gift is that when I have messed up in some way, whether it be a sin, or neglect, or complaint regarding a perceived inhospitable circumstance, or any other behaviour or attitude that is not in line with, and acknowledging the nature of Christ, then he extends His “MERCY” and not His JUDGEMENT, His “LOVING KINDNESS”, or His tender and benevolent affection, all bound up in His “COMPASSIONS”, that sympathetic consciousness of others’ distress together with a desire to alleviate it.
Job obviously had great perception when he wrote, “though He slay me, yet will I wait for and trust Him”, (Job 13:15)
- His mercy and loving-kindness is a PRESERVATIVE. Psalm 40:11 (B) O Lord; let Your loving-kindness and Your truth continually preserve me!
- His mercy and loving-kindness are UNSHAKEABLE. Isaiah 54:10 For though the mountains should depart and the hills are shaken or removed, yet My love and kindness shall not depart from you, nor shall My covenant of peace and completeness be removed, says the Lord, Who has compassion on you.
- His mercy and loving-kindness are MULTITUDINOUS Lamentation 3:32 But though He causes grief, yet will He be moved to compassion according to the MULTITUDE of His loving-kindness and tender mercy.
- His mercy and loving-kindness are EXTENSIVE. Exodus 34:6 (B) The Lord! the Lord! a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and ABUNDANT in loving-kindness and truth,
- His mercy and loving-kindness are SPECIFIC Exodus 34:7 Keeping mercy and loving-kindness for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but Who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children’s children, to the third and fourth generation.
How expressively grateful we should be for the graciousness of the Lord towards us!
Jeremiah has highlighted the fact that God’s “MERCY AND LOVING KINDNESS” is not just a provision for our shortcomings, but He refreshes His intentions every day so that we can be restored to wholeness no matter what the digression. But it still requires our “PROPORTION” to enable the promise to take effect it requires our “WAITING AND HOPE”.
Lam 3:22-23 It is because of the Lord’s mercy and loving-kindness that we are not consumed, because His [tender] compassions fail not. THEY ARE NEW EVERY MORNING; great and abundant is Your stability and faithfulness
THE MORE WE ARE OCCUPIED WITH GOD’S GOODNESS, THE MORE CAREFUL WILL WE BE ABOUT OUR OBEDIENCE
So, what are the conditions we have to fulfill to have the “UNFAILING COMPASSIONS greet us every day, just like the Children of Israel awoke to the fresh manna every morning?”
It is “In proportion to” or “According as”, or “dependent upon”, or “provided that”, it is like every other blessing in God’s Word, it is conditional. But the requirements are not onerous, (See 1 John 5:3) it is according to our “WAITING AND HOPING”. But “WAITING” is not some indolent or ambivalent state, but is the amalgam of patience and expectation. But it is also “active”, it is the endurance of trials and temptations, the learning daily by experience. (1 John 2:3), the use of every opportunity afforded us through our daily circumstances, with the purpose of our growth, and appreciation of His Inconceivable Greatness.
WAITING
“WAITING” is a skill to be developed over a life time, and it is a strengthening and disciplining agent for every participant, an opportunity to clearly see the priority we are to follow, and a new and vital experience to refine us and wean us from dependency on what is seen.
Isaiah 40:31 But THOSE WHO WAIT for the Lord [who EXPECT, LOOK FOR, AND HOPE in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired.
Three of these conditions, WAIT, EXPECT, HOPE, are contained in our mindset and have a tinge of futurism, one, LOOK FOR (“EXPECTANCY” … my comments) is in our prospect and is immediate and relentless. The result hinges upon us, His reciprocation is abundant and truly supernatural.
We can liken “WAITING” to a gestation period. Pregnancy has to go full term, or the intention is aborted. We engage in the same process if we fail to “wait”.
Psalm 106:13 But they hastily forgot His works; THEY DID NOT [EARNESTLY] WAIT FOR HIS PLANS [TO DEVELOP] REGARDING THEM, (Fools rush in where angels fear to tread … comments mine)
There are also “Phantom/False/Hysterical pregnancies according to the medical profession, called “Pseudocyesis”, and is the appearance of clinical signs and symptoms associated with pregnancy when the organism is not actually pregnant. A phantom pregnancy is not fruitful, has nothing to show for it, despite the individual sincerely believing they are “productive” How this mirrors so many Christians and ministries.
Our “waiting” is purposed to produce, not just external appearances of pregnancy, but inward change. Real pregnancy involves real waiting, it is 24/7 for around 280 days – no respite, no “put it off till I feel like it”, preferences have evaporated – spiritual gestation has no defined duration, but a defined destiny.
Similarly, but sadly, there is another pregnancy, spelled out in Psalm 7:14 where the conception is that of iniquity, the pregnancy shrouded in mischief, and giving birth to lies. (Isaiah 5:2 … brought forth wild grapes. Isaiah 59:4 … They conceive mischief and bring forth evil!”)
To “BRING FORTH” is the result of patience, as described by Luke.
Luke 8:15 But as for that [seed] in the good soil, these are [the people] who, hearing the Word, hold it fast in a just (noble, virtuous) and worthy heart, and STEADILY BRING FORTH FRUIT WITH PATIENCE.
More than that, it is “CONSISTENT”.
Matthew 3:8 BRING FORTH fruit that is consistent with repentance [let your lives prove your change of heart];
And even further, it is “AGELESS”, and contrary to the principles of nature, and also beautiful.
Psalm 92:14 [Growing in grace] THEY SHALL STILL BRING FORTH FRUIT IN OLD AGE; they shall be full of sap [of spiritual vitality] AND [RICH IN THE] VERDURE [OF TRUST, LOVE, AND CONTENTMENT].
“VERDURE”, is the lush appearance of flourishing vegetation (Wordweb) and enables the recognition of the type of tree outside the fruiting period. This is often what the world will see when they are oblivious to the fruit we bear.
Some folk find that “waiting” is a state outside their ability, but it is a skill we must develop, and we can only do that by PRACTICE. If we would know God in the intimacy recorded of the patriarchs and to be enjoyed by the church in these the last days, and necessary for us to be vaccinated against the decay of society, then immediate implementation is required. This “WAITING” is an enabling to KNOW AND RECOGNISE AND UNDERSTAND the sovereignty of God over all mankind.
Have you watched someone “waiting” and the exhibition of their impatience, the looking at their watch, pacing up and down, frowning, well this is not the sort of waiting that Father expects of us? No doubt Elijah could have conducted a seminar on “WAITING” as he had vast experience in this respect, but David also had some advice.
Psalm 37:7 BE STILL and rest in the Lord; wait for Him and patiently lean yourself upon Him; fret not yourself because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked devices to pass.
Psalm 46:10 Let be and BE STILL, AND KNOW (recognize and understand) that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth!
This “stillness” contains three vital elements:- (See also Luke 8:10, 19:44)
- “KNOW” = Trust or faith )
- “RECOGNISE” = Love ) “VERDURE ALSO
- “UNDERSTAND” = Contentment ) “PERDURE”!!
Life itself, in one sense, is a period of waiting and of preparation for eternity. This may be hard for some of us to grasp because our perception of waiting typically centres around specific times, dates and desires, in which case all we are really interested in is the arrival or occurrence of the event, be it a birthday, promotion, a holiday, or deliverance from some difficulty or danger.
The exercise of waiting (“PERDURE”) is to evaluate our trust, our hope or faith, (“VERDURE”) because, from our perspective, it seems like the Lord is not doing anything. Elijah sat by the Brook Cherith, totally dependent upon his obedience to the Lord for his survival.
This was Elijah’s “gestation period”, if he would not wait then his ministry could be aborted. Sometimes a lady may fall pregnant but not see out the term, she may do this several times until that which is causative is remedied, or forever remain childless.
We too can fail to develop our ministry if we do not wait the “full term” but like the lady, we may be given another chance to bring forth fruit, if we have remedied our deficiency in waiting and hoping.
The accommodation for Elijah was not at all salubrious, the country was to be in drought for 3 years, and here he was beside just a little brook, which must suffer the same climate change conditions, but this was his water supply, he had no idea how his food was to be supplied, there was absolutely no contact with another person so that he could not be betrayed. A ministry seemingly decimated at its zenith but purposed to infuse new dimensions and daring when the experience fulfilled its purpose or brought to birth.
How acutely must he have felt the poverty of food, the inhospitable environment, the monotony of his days? What a predicament to find oneself in, from the acme of ministry to the pit of isolation. Was he ever going to be useful to the nation he cherished or was it now just a mirage? He was used to hearing the direct communication from God as to both the manner and extent of God’s anger but now he just has to “WAIT”, the Bible doesn’t give us any clues as to the communications he had with Father during his enforced quarantine, but his obedience was absolute, something we must emulate. “WAITING” is like labour pains!!!!
It may seem sometimes that we are a million miles from the presence of God, the heavens are like brass, no real opportunity for ministry, in the eyes of the world we may appear a write off, but sooner or later, as we wait, further revelation will be given us, the eyes of our heart enlightened, as long as the time waiting was used profitably. I would like to think that this enforced isolation for Elijah was a God-given opportunity to develop a unique intimacy and relationship for what might lie ahead.
Remember what Psalm 33 said. “IN PROPORTION TO OUR WAITING and hope”, so our Impatience is a hindrance.
HOPE
Our use of the term “HOPE” is often confined to our fragile expectation of something that might happen if all goes well, an expression that suggests an insecurity of that with which we are concerned.
Revelation 20:13 And the sea delivered up the dead who were in it, death and Hades (the state of death or disembodied existence) surrendered the dead in them, and all were tried and their cases determined by what they had done [ACCORDING TO THEIR MOTIVES, AIMS, AND WORKS]. (Their “hope” rewarded proportionally, or “according to”)
Titus 3:7 [And He did it in order] that we might be justified by His grace (by His favor, wholly undeserved), (This constitutes His mercy and loving-kindness and compassion … comments mine) [that we might be acknowledged and counted as conformed to the divine will in purpose, thought, and action], and that we might become heirs of eternal life according to [our] HOPE. (MOTIVES, AIMS, WORKS … comments mine)
So, Titus also addresses the aspect of “HOPE”, which is the other component of our “PROPORTION” and shows how it relates to God’s compassion. If we fail to “WAIT” and are devoid of “HOPE”, then we are of all men most miserable. Our hope must extend beyond what we see and what we prefer. HOPE is frequently replaced by the word “TRUST” and trust and faith are often interchangeable.
1 Corinthians 15:19 If we who are [abiding] in Christ HAVE HOPE ONLY IN THIS LIFE AND THAT IS ALL, then we are of all people most miserable and to be pitied.
A commentator of stock market trading and behaviour made the following statement: –
THE LEVEL OF SUCCESS YOU ACHIEVE WILL BE IN DIRECT PROPORTION TO THE DEPTH OF YOUR COMMITMENT. (Roy T Barnett)
Do we have a “SENSE OF PROPORTION” whereby we can identify if our ambition to be seated in heavenly places and is matched by our application of the truth?
SELAH!!!
Ross Smith 