The Lord's Provision

The prophet Isaiah prophesied of the coming time of salvation, also in the chapter in which this text is found. He beholds the glory of the congregation that God shall gather out of all people. They shall come together on mount Zion. There a feast shall be prepared for the peoples of the world.

It is, of course, eastern imagery, of which the word of Scripture written above gives evidence, but an imagery which depicts the excellency of the goods of salvation in a clear fashion.

So often Scripture makes use of images like this. Jesus Himself made use of such images as well. Did He not also speak of the Bread which came down from heaven? Did He not, in the institution of the Supper, make bread and wine to be signs that put before our eyes the glory of His body, which has been broken for the sins of His people, and of His blood, which has been shed for the blotting out of the unrighteousness of His own? Now, in that way then you must also understand the words of the prophet.

It is a rich feast which God has prepared for His own. There is wine on the lees and well refined, which rejoices the heart; there are fat things full of marrow, which give strength to the weak. Now, the salvation of the Lord rejoices and gladdens the guilty and lost sinner. As well, this salvation makes the guilty one free of guilt, and the one worthy of damnation receives a right to life eternal. The one bowed down will be lifted up; and the one who is cursed shall be loaded with benefits. The Lord of hosts shall do this.

How great it is that God Himself does all this. The truth of His Word guarantees that this shall also be fulfilled. The initial fulfillment of this word was begun in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost, and since that day God is busy fulfilling His Word in the midst of the nations of the world. He fulfills His counsel and purpose, and His good pleasure shall prosper. However, this does not mean that God does not make use of means. Surely, He also used people on the day of Pentecost. God has done it, and the honor shall redound only unto Him, but the Lord places men in His service. We read here: “The LORD of hosts.” He commands the host of angels and people, and they are called into His service and are used to proclaim His divine message.

Therefore this word is also such a rich comfort for all who may work together in the kingdom of God. We can often become so discouraged when we see no fruits upon our labors. Then we think that nothing shall come of them. We have to fight continually with that God-dishonoring unbelief, which despises the truth of God's promises, also those promises which relate to the predicted extension of the congregation on earth.

We should not, therefore, watch the circumstances so closely, as if it would depend on them. It can come so far that it seems as if all our work is broken down. We have to count on disappointments, on opposition, on scorn from others, and that people cast suspicion upon us, but we must consider that the devil attempts to break down all God's work. Let us keep ourselves from a superficial optimism, as if our work should immediately bear fruit. We must be exercised through adversities in order to learn to believe that God shall make His Word come true and in order to do, in dependence upon Him, that which is laid in our hands.

God's child has to learn that here we walk by faith, and not by sight. That holds true also of this labor in the kingdom of the Lord. Perhaps we shall never see anything of it, but nevertheless this word remains true, that the Lord of hosts shall make unto all people a well-refined feast. The Lord guarantees the fulfillment of His Word. From this we may take holy courage to continue, and to commend our labors to Him, who will do with it according to His good pleasure.

However, how significant is then the question whether we shall belong to those gathering people. This salvation of God is being preached and proclaimed on earth. God shall make it real in the hearts of His own, by His Spirit, but has it also been glorified in our hearts? With all the zeal which is necessary, let us never forget that personal question, for it would be so terrible if it were written concerning us: “Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy Name, and in Thy Name done many wonderful works?” And if then it would have to be added unto us: “Depart from Me, I never knew you.”

Have we ourselves been brought, as heathens, lost in ourselves, unto that mount Zion, where God gathers His congregation, and where the sinner, lost in himself, learns to understand the great good of free grace? May the Lord cause us to examine ourselves seriously, so that we personally may become partakers of the grace which delivers from death, for then we also could call unto others,

My soul was glad when unto me They said, “Come, we will now repair Unto Jehovah's house of prayer, There to adore His majesty.”

Jerusalem, where blessing waits, Our feet are standing in thy gates, Here shall we bring our supplications.

Jerusalem is builded well, It is the pride of Israel, Securely built are its foundations.
Psalter 447:1

(1926-1981)

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