MORNING MANNA              8-30-25
UNSPEAKABLE CONSOLATION 

By James Buchanan, in “Comfort in Affliction” 1837

“He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭32‬ ‭

“We have the unspeakable consolation of knowing that the same divine and compassionate Redeemer who suffered, and bled, and died on for us–has the entire management of our affairs; and that nothing can happen in the course of providence, which is not appointed by Him “Who loved us and gave Himself for us!”

In proportion to our persuasion of His love for us, should be our confidence in His government over us. And what proof of sincerity, or what pledge of love, can we desire–which is not given by His past dealings on our behalf? If He died for us on the cruel cross–then certainly He will now, when all things are put under His power, “make all things work together for our good!”

We may rest assured that the love which He manifested for us on earth, is but a pledge of the love which He still bears to us–and that He will neither forget nor forsake us, until He has accomplished the grand end of His mission, by our deliverance from all evil, and our joyful entrance into the glorious kingdom of Heaven!

Oh! how cheering to know, that amidst the joys of Heaven–Jesus has not forgotten any one of His “little flock” for whom He suffered in the garden and on the cross!”

In light of the above by Buchanan, if you are feeling overwhelmed, deprived,  weak, and depressed, read it again. Think about who you are and what you have in Christ and you will find reasons to rejoice regardless of your circumstances.- HDS

David Stone  

Lakeway Baptist Church   

Humble,TX

MORNING MANNA              8-29-25

WE REALLY NEED VERY LITTLE

By James Smith, (“The Way to Be Wealthy and Happy!” 1859)

“The lions may grow weak and hungry—but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.” Psalm 34:10

Those who seek the Lord may be sick, or poor, or tried, in a variety of ways; but the Lord will send them supplies, OR give them the grace of contentment, so that they shall not lack any good thing. 

But how many mistake wishes for needs! And while the Lord has promised to supply all His people’s needs—He has nowhere promised to gratify all their wishes.

We really need very little—therefore the apostle says, “If we have food and raiment let us be therewith content” 1 Timothy 6:8. And again, “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”Hebrews‬ ‭13‬:‭5‬ ‭

“They shall not lack any good thing.” That is, they shall not lack whatever is really good for them at the time—and under the circumstances. Whatever will promote their holiness and happiness—shall certainly be conveyed to them.

Those who seek the Lord are sure of necessary supplies, for four reasons:

First, the Lord is ABLE to supply them. “The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof.” He is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we can ask or think!

Second, the Lord DESIRES to supply them. “Like as a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear Him. He knows our frame—He remembers that we are dust.”

Third, the Lord has PROMISED to supply them. “The Lord God is a sun and shield, the Lord will give grace and glory; no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.” “My God shall supply all your needs, according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

Fourth, the Lord ALWAYS HAS supplied them. Look at Jacob, at David—and at all who have already arrived in glory. If the question, put by the Lord Jesus, to His disciples, when they returned from their missionary tour, on which He sent them without purse or bag, was put to them: “Have you lacked anything?” Every one of them would readily answer, “Nothing, Lord!”

David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346

We are prone to be fretful, to complain of the dispensations of Divine Providence, and to reflect harshly upon the Lord’s dealings with us.

We want our own way.

We wish to carve for ourselves.

We would be treated as God’s favorites.

We want our ease, and prosperity, and pleasure, consulted in all things. And if this does not appear to be done–if our wills are crossed, if our schemes are frustrated, if our purposes are broken off–then we stumble, think ourselves badly treated, and look for everybody to sympathize with us.

Under these circumstances, God comes to us–as we sit among our broken cisterns, surrounded by our dethroned idols–and puts this question to us: “Should it be according to your mind?”

  Are you wiser than God?

    Are you kinder than God?

      Are you holier than God?

    Are you more just than God?

  Are you better informed than God?

May not your mind be dark, or selfish, or foolish?

Should it then be according to your mind?

Should you reign–or God?

Remember that . . .
  God acts in the highest wisdom,
  His motives are grace and justice,
  and all His purposes are worthy of Himself.

The least the Christian can do is to submit–and to prefer God’s perfect wisdom, ways, and works–to his own. Seeing God has so arranged all events, that all things must work together for the good of His people–they, at least, should daily say, “Father, may Your will be done!”

O my soul, seek grace from God, not only to submit and be resigned to the dispensations of Divine Providence–but to acquiesce in them, and be pleased with the whole of them! Your good is consulted–your best interests are secured. Soon, very soon, it will be seen that infinite wisdom and mercy, grace and goodness, have marked out every step of your road!

“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” This is the desire of a man who has been saved from sin and damnation by Jesus, and now lives only for Him. Paul’s dilemma is not born of doubt, but of devotion. His heart is stretched between two holy desires: to serve Jesus on earth–or to see Jesus in Heaven.

“For to me, to live is Christ” meant that Paul viewed Jesus as his absolute Lord and Master. His life was not his own. Whether preaching in synagogues, writing letters in prison, or suffering beatings and rejection–he counted it all as “fruitful labor” for his Savior. He did not crave ease, pleasure, or honor. So long as his heart beat, it would beat for the Lord Jesus.

Yet “to die is gain.” Not because Paul saw death as an escape from trouble, but because he saw death as the entrance to endless joy. Death for him was not the end of life–it was the beginning of glory. He does not speak of death with hesitation, but with longing. “To depart and be with Christ… which is better by far!” Not just better, but far better! His heart was not attached to this fleeting and disappointing world. Paul realized that on the day of his death, he would behold King Jesus in all of His beauty!

Still, Paul says, “it is more necessary for you that I remain.” This is the heart of a true shepherd of souls. Though he yearned for Heaven, he willingly delays his crown for the sake of God’s flock. What an example of selfless devotion.

Dear believer, are you living in Paul’s dilemma? Does your heart long for Jesus above all, yet remain gladly willing to labor on for His name’s sake? The Christian life is marked by a holy tension: a life fully yielded here, and a soul homesick for Heaven.
 
 A Christian would rather die than live, if it were not that he desires to glorify Jesus by his life. Beloved, we are immortal until our work is done. And when it is done, we shall not wish to linger on earth. Let us live  for Jesus, until we are with Jesus. And when the final summons comes, we too shall say, “To die is gain!”

There is no such thing as chance. All the reins that guide and govern the world, are gathered into the hands of Jesus. His care of His people extends to the most common, and apparently trivial matters; all are links in the golden chain of providence.

Divine Providence is a comforting doctrine, too precious to be parted with!
Let the thought that Jesus . . .
  watches over all your affairs,
  and guards your welfare,
  and guides all your ways–
banish your every anxious care.

I do not say that you will never be disappointed, but certainly you ought never to be discontented. Many things in your circumstances may occasion anxious thought, but nothing should cause or can excuse sinful repining.

Child of God! He has numbered the hairs of your head, as well as the stars of Heaven!

Believer,  what are you doing, groaning through the world beneath a load of fears and cares? What should discourage you? What should disturb your peace? What can ruffle the calm spirit of a man who knows that the hands which were once nailed to the tree for him, now hold the helm of his destiny? The blessed Savior, who by love’s golden scepter reigns within his heart, holds sovereign sway over earth and Heaven; and . . .
  by both bitter and sweet providences,
  by both coffins and cradles,
  by both disappointments and joys,
  by both losses and gains,
shall cause all things to work together for good to those who love Him, to those who are called according to His purpose.