'MY GOD SHALL SUPPLY ALL YOUR NEED'
Man, whether he likes it or not, is a dependent being. He thinks and dreams of freedom and independence, but he must rely on almighty God for his next breath of air and the ability to breathe it. He may not recognize God, but he is dependent on Him.
It is fortunate for proud, arrogant, sinful, rebellious man that God is a loving and benevolent God. He has revealed Himself in the world and especially in His Word. He revealed Himself to Moses by that great and sacred name of 'Jehovah '. That is the incommunicable name of God that is never used of man, hence the use of it by the so-called 'Jehovah Witnesses' is incorrect and unlawful. JEHOVAH TITLES
In the Bible there are a number of 'Jehovah titles', the name Jehovah allied to another word. A study of these titles reveals how wonderfully 'God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus' (Philippians 4:9). Man is truly dependent on God. He is a needy creature. Thank God that need can be met fully as revealed in the 'Jehovah titles'.
WE NEED A SOURCE
How did man arrive on this planet? He is distinct from all other creatures. He inhabits a tiny planet in a gigantic universe, hurtling through space at great speed. He has a body, a mind and a soul. He has reasoning powers like no other earthly creature. He has aspirations of greatness, but more often he sinks to the depths of human depravity. Well should he ponder the Psalmist's profound question, "What is man?" Psalm 8:4. The answer comes when he recognizes Jehovah Hosenu - 'The LORD our maker' (Psalm 95:6). God is the only adequate cause of the existence of man, made in His own image.
WE NEED A SACRIFICE
Why? To pay the debt of our sin. All men are sinners and we are told by God our Maker that 'without shedding of blood is no remission' Hebrews 9:22. Can we like Cain bring any sacrifice? No. We can only be reconciled to God by God's way. He gave instructions to Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac. When the altar was ready Isaac, not knowing he was the intended victim, asked his father, 'where is the lamb for a burnt offering?' Abraham answered, My son, God will provide himself a lamb'. Just as Abraham, in obedience to God's command, was about to strike the knife into Isaac, the Lord stopped him. He turned around and saw a ram caught by its horns in a thicket. It was the substitute sacrifice for Isaac. Abraham named the place Jehovah Jireh - 'The Lord will provide'. Genesis 22;14. Jesus Christ is 'the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world.' God has wonderfully provided for man's sinful needs by giving His Son to be our sacrifice, and hence, our Saviour.
WE NEED A SUBSTITUTE
The only way to enter heaven is on the grounds of perfect righteousness. (See Matt.5:20 and Revelation 21 :27). Isaiah reminds us that the best of our 'righteousnesses are as filthy rags.' (64:6). Therefore how can we enter heaven? On the strength of our own righteousness we can't. Only Jesus Christ has the 'clean hands' and 'pure heart' of a sinless life that meet the holy requirements of entrance into heaven. To us Mount Sinai is bondage because every step we take, as we try to keep God's law, crumbles away because of our sin. But we look to Mount Calvary that speaks of freedom through the sacrifice of Christ.
When a seeking soul comes to Christ it is then that he experiences the great truth of Jehovah Tsidkenu - 'The Lord our Righteousness'. Jeremiah 23:6. Jesus is our substitute sacrifice taking our place arid our punishment.
He is also our substitute righteousness. Isaiah again said, 'He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness. '(Isaiah 61: 10)
Well did the hymn writer sing, "Jesus, Thy blood and righteousness, my beauty are, my glorious dress."
Next week "My God Shall Supply All Your Need" Part 2
Printed by permission from the Editor of the Canadian Revivalist.
