Privilege, Duty and Promise

James Smith

"I am the Lord your God, who brought you up out of Egypt. Open wide your mouth — and I will fill it!" Psalm 81:10

Our great privilege is to have God for our God:
  to know Him,
  to love Him,
  to adore Him,
  and to trust in Him.

If God is ours — then all must be well. If God has delivered us from . . .
  the Egypt of this world,
  the power of sin, and
  the tyranny of Satan —
then He is our God.

"I am the Lord your God, who brought you up out of Egypt." He delivered Israel because He was their God — and He delivered us because we were His people.

He says, "I am Jehovah — the compassionate God . . .
  who sympathizes with My people in their sorrows,
  who counts their tears,
  who feels their groans, and
  who records their prayers."

The Psalmist bears his testimony to this, saying, "You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, long-suffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth." (Psalm 86:15.)

"I am Jehovah — the God of power . . .
  who delivered Israel from Egyptian bondage;
  whose strength is as infinite as My nature,
  for whom nothing is too hard."

"I am Jehovah — the God of love . . .
  whose resources are boundless,
  whose pity is tender, and
  who never fails or forsakes those who trust in Him."

"I am Jehovah your God . . .
  pledged to you by promise;
  engaged for you by covenant;
  and bound to you by oath!

As I am your God . . .
  look to me,
  trust in me,
  expect from me."

"Open your mouth wide!" That is, "Ask LARGELY — ask for great, numerous, and costly blessings! Do not be afraid of asking for too much!
My heart is large,
My love is great,
My wealth is unbounded!

Ask BOLDLY — do not be afraid — but come boldly to My throne of grace, that you may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Ask FREQUENTLY — I am always ready to give! I am never weary of listening to your prayers. Come whenever you are in need — I rejoice to do you good. No parent ever delighted to give to a darling child — as I delight to give to you! Therefore ask and receive, that your joy may be full.

Ask with IMPORTUNITY — do not imagine you are denied, because the answer is delayed. I love to hear you plead. I delight to see you come, and come again; therefore plead until you prevail! Seek until you possess the blessing!"

"Open your mouth wide — and I will fill it!" That is, "I have the very blessings which you need. They are from Me — they are for you! I have the disposition to give! Do not doubt My benevolence, for this grieves My heart. I give you My word, that I will bestow My favors upon you freely, plentifully, and frequently! My word is plain — read it; it is faithful — trust it; it is honest — plead it; it is sure — expect the fulfillment of it. I have wrought for you in times past, I am in the same mind now as then — My nature is still as gracious and merciful. I will hear and bless you. I will do for you all I that have promised. I will give you all that you asks of Me in faith, that is, giving Me credit for honesty, faithfulness, and love. I will do exceeding abundantly above all that you ask or think!"

Reader, are we not reproved? Do we daily give our God credit for being so kind? Do we ask of Him — believing that He is faithful? Alas! we often ask in fear, or ask for but little! Are we not exhorted? Exhorted to change our views of God, and our conduct in reference to God. Let us humble ourselves before Him, because we have thought so improperly of Him, and conducted ourselves so inconsistently towards Him. He is generous, bountiful and blessed!

"I am the Lord your God, who brought you up out of Egypt. Open wide your mouth — and I will fill it!"