Day 8 – The Best Gift

Brother Lawrence said that only the Christ follower who goes beyond the gifts that God gives to God himself experiences true delights in the Lord. “Except for wonder, we should not allow ourselves to be carried away! God must always remain the master.”

The gifts that God gives to us are wonderful!

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights” (James 1:17).

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

“If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” (Matthew 7:11).

“Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed” (1 Corinthians 12:1).

God delights to shower his children with gifts, even the simple gifts of life – health, a home, a family, good friends, food, a job, nature, music, art, and so on. Yet God himself is infinitely greater than all his gifts to us.

Spiritual feelings and experiences and gifts too are great, which we enjoy. Yet God is greater, whom we love.

Why settle for the toys in the nursery, when you can have the Owner of the castle? This is what Brother Lawrence wants us to know.

Albert Simpson, founder of The Christian and Missionary Alliance, captured this:

Once it was the blessing, Now it is the Lord;
Once it was the feeling, Now it is His Word.
Once His gifts I wanted, Now the Giver own;
Once I sought for healing, Now Himself alone.

God is God. Be devoted to him. Maintain an awe of God. Let God and his Word be the master of your spiritual experiences, which come and go. Love God for himself.

A.W. Tozer said, “He gives, but in giving He gives us Himself too. And the best gift God ever gives us is Himself.”

This is God’s Word for you today,
Pastor Dave