Bible Study

A Bucketful of Blessing

Published on: 18 October 2023

I was 21 years old and reclining, rather uncomfortably, whilst a needle-yielding sadist took charge of a very deep filling in the rearmost of my molar teeth. Actually, he was quite a talented dentist, as it turned out. After drilling out all the offending material he whispered to his nurse, as dentists do, “Amalgam please”. When asked how much was required he replied, “A bucketful!”

The dental nurse chuckled, indicating that she knew what he meant even though, some of his more sensitive patients may have found such terms alarming. At any rate, by working closely with each other day after day, the dentist and his nurse had formed an understanding, not only of method but, language.

In fact a relationship wherein two work closely together is often characterised, by the need of only a few words. What I mean beloved is this, when the heart-felt cries of God’s children reach up to Him like a fragrant offering, He well understands the language of their prayers. Even when, the terms they use have little eloquence by the standards of this world (Romans.8:26-27; Revelation.8:3-4). Moreover and also, the Lord is not a tyrant who loves to inflict pain (Luke.11:13; 2 Kings.4:27).

Just as the Holy Spirit is familiar with the language of a believer’s heart, so too are believers to become familiar with His promptings and directions (Galatians.5:25; Romans.8:4). After all, what else is the language of the heart but a reflection of the character of the Holy Spirit (Psalm.139:7; Hebrews.5:13-14; 1 Thessalonians.4:7-8)?

When two work closely together in this way, their communion is indeed holy and we are confident we have what we have asked of Him (1 John.5:14-15). We search according to His will and we ask according to His will (Ephesians.6:18; Jude.1:20). On the ground of His faithful love, we are invited to come before Him with all kinds of prayers and requests (Philippians.4:6).

So what could go wrong? We might just as well ask, what if my dentist had left some infection in my tooth. Simple, I would have had to go back to him for some remedial surgery but, not before an x-ray to show the whereabouts of the decay. Similarly, we must search our hearts but, we must also invite the Holy Spirit to search. In this respect too, the Lord knows the language of a believers heart (Psalm.139:23-24; 1 John.1:8-9; Titus.2:14).

These truths really came home to me whilst reading through the first letter of Paul to the church at Corinth. That great chapter from which, many folks isolate a few verses and read the Communion service each week, packed a sting in the tail when I got to the very last verse (1 Corinthians.11:34). Actually, the context of this passage presents what is probably, the biggest rollicking the Church has ever had. Just when it didn’t seem possible there could be anything else, Paul said, “...And the rest I will set in order when I come.” (1 Corinthians.11:34b KJV).

The rest?! Was it so serious as to merit his presence to restore order?! Apparently so. There is only so much that even an Apostle can put in a letter before a situation has gone so far, that it requires some remedial surgery (1 Corinthians.15:34; 2 Corinthians.12:20-21). Surely the key is, not to allow things to get as far as that in the first place (Hebrews.12:15)?

A heart that is full of longing after the things of the Spirit is often full of tears (Psalm.6:6; Psalm.119:136; Hebrews.5:7). To this end Jesus Himself said, “Blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God.” (Matthew.5:8 NIV). That doesn’t mean nothing ever goes wrong but it does mean the hungry soul of a child of God will always yearn after their Maker and Friend. This is the language that He understands (Hebrews.4:15-16). Now beloved child of God, what if you go to Him with an open heart and present it to Him, that He may possess it and make those things His own (1 Kings.17:13).

For reading sharks:

Exodus.33:18-34:8

Lamentations.3:21-27

Luke.22:39-46

Acts.13:1-3

Hebrews.13:10-15

Revelation.5:1-8

Blessings

Roger