A voice from the 1600's reaching into the 21st century

Psalm 81:16  

Whenever a people or a person are accepted of God, he spares no cost, nor thinks anything too costly for them. 

‘He would have fed them also with the finest of the wheat: and with honey out of the rock would I have satisfied you.’ 

I would not have fed you with wheat only, that's good; but with the finest wheat, that's the best. They should not have had the bran, but the flour, and the finest of the flour; they should not have had only honey, but honey out of the rock, which, as naturalists observe, is the best and purest honey.

Surely God cannot think anything of this world too good for his people. He has not thought the next world too good for them; and certainly God cannot think any of these outward enjoyments too good for his people, he who has not thought his Son too good for his people.

That's the apostle's argument in Romans 8:32: 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? even the best of outward good things, when he sees it good for us. 

Joseph Caryl. 1602-1673 (an English Minister)

Now, to expand a little further with my reflection on another verse.....

'For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.'  (Psalm 84:11)

This is a wonderful verse full of promise and assurance. Our God is both our sunshine and shield through every situation that life throws at us. He brings a smile and even laughter in the storm. 

Then it says that he will give us grace and glory; and it is that grace which he gives that causes us to walk in his ways, and makes us want to please him at all times.

So, it is grace that leads to even more grace. God gives grace and glory which causes us to live lives that are pleasing to him; and then, because we walk lives that are upright and righteous, he wants to bless us more!: 'No good thing will he hold back from those who walk uprightly.'

Just think about that for a minute! 

That phrase, that 'good thing', incorporates 'good, pleasant, better, rich, prosperous, wealth, beautiful'.

No good thing will he withhold from those who walk right. The wages of sin is death (so put away everything that only pays out death certificates), but the gift of God is grace and goodness, assurance and joy, and eternal life.  (Romans 6:23)

I have no interest in what is known as the 'Wealth and Prosperity Gospel' movement which has become very popular, but sadly full of misunderstandings and shameful behaviour. However, I do have great interest in what God who cannot lie says in his word.

The key to blessings and goodness is walking right with God. Many talk about it and claim to be sinless, jumping up and down in their religious feelings of ecstasy. 

'But to this man will I look, says the LORD, even to him that is poor [lowly] and of a contrite spirit [of a humble, repentant, and broken heart], and who trembles at my word.'  (Isaiah 66:2)

For 'the secret of the LORD is with them who fear him!'  (Psalm 25:14)