Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1921-01-13

fMH " kt& promise" says the
apostle In Gal
a rs, and thus explicitly sets Isaac be-
fore US as figure of the believer In
the Lord Jesus.
And the first parEcular in which he
represents us Is his miraculous birth.
For he was born of divine power, con-
trary to nature. OF his father 1t is
written: HE considered not his own
body now dead, when he was about an
hundred years old, neither yet the
deafness of Sarahs womb" Under
such conditions was Isaac born.
Just so has every believer been be-
gotten of divine power. "As many as
received him, to them gave he power
to become the children of Cod No
power had we for this. God must give
1t blessed be the God and Father
of our Lord Jesus Christ, which ac-
cording to his abundant mercy hath be-
gotten u.s." Born of God! What a
word And thus his children, possessed
of his life and his nature.
2. When this promised son was born,
Abraham's house was filed with
laughter and they gave him name to
commemorate it. For Isaac means
daughter" 1t tells of nothing that he
was in himself, but proclaims a IA
theirs joy over the child of his live.
And does not our Lord, in a parable,
tell of a feast in a fathers house by
which that father gives expression to
his joy over the recovery of lost one?
Yea, and he speaks of music and
dancing, saying, "Thev began to be
merry" (but not that they ceased y.
And it is all his own portrayal of the
JOY in the heart of our Father God over
you and me who have brought nothing
to him save our sin. Isaacl That is
your name, my fellow-believer, and it
is mine. 1t describes not us but lays
bare the @eart of our God.
3. And of this child. thus born and
bringing such gladness to his father, 1t
is written that Abraham gave all that
ne had to him. That vast estate, de
scribed in Gen. "a, made over without
reserve. And it ''is written for our
learning" @ faint shadowing forth Of
our riches in Christ 'Ie that spared
not his own Son, but delivered him up
for us ali, how shall ne not with him
freely give us all things? IAN things
are yours" "In everything enriched by
him" How shameful that Gods peo-
Pile should live like beggars (wnen all
the Fathers wealth is theirs! Theirs
for present enjoyment as well as for
the future.
4. With these facts relating to Isaac
known, we are not surprised at his per-
sistent dwelling in Canaan. He never
enough for Isaacl Is it for you? Ca
naan is the well-known figure of that
place to which, in Christ, God has
raised all his own Gle hata raised US
up together and made US sit together in
the heavenles in Christ" and his CON
slant appeal to us is to be there in
heart and mind. 1t is the place of our
blessing, for "he hath blessed US With
all spiritual blessings in the heaven
lies" Isaac, dwelling In Canaan, shows
us the child Of God abiding in the
serene enjoyment of his God-given por-
| ton.
5. In Canaan, Isaac is found by the
well Of sprnging water. And here,
again. is holy symbolism which the
| Lord has interpreted for us. "a foun-
aiM If living water, springing up unto
life" "Out of his inner
''All flow rivers of living
is no mistaking 1t !;
~ Of the Holy Spirit to
4 man, making Christ a
satisfying his craving
~ longer craving, 1t be-
eI Of blessing to all
Ishac's portion and it
ne. But if these figures
ng are TO become a reality
~ei,GS Il ell by the well
6. But this well of Isaacs has spe-
cial name: "Lahairoi"-''the well of
him that liveth and seeth me-" Oh,
how that name speaks to us of the low
ing and endless care of our unfailing
God How it tells of his regard for us,
as though each were his only child and
MS solitary care! All our aIIalfS ms
particular concern What perfect
peace and rest for the heart
My times are in thy hand;
Oh God. wish them there
It is enough. Let me be found dwell
ing by the well where | may daily
realize so great blessing
Growth.
We never see plants actually grow