CLOSE EN-COUNTERS

by Jack Davis

“ENS” THAT REALLY COUNT

Thank God for the multiplied blessings of believing. We, by faith, may become a part of our dear Lord’s IN OR EN CROWD. This is of far more worth, beyond all comparison, to being a part of any “jet” set. This is  being part of the “LET SET.”

Enclosed – safely in the Father’s hand. “My Father, which gave them Me is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of My Father’s hand” – John 10:29. Colossians 3:3 tells us that our “life is hid with Christ in God.” Peter speaks of those who believe, being “kept by the power of God” – I Pet. 1:5. It is truly comforting to know that the One who controls the winds and the waves has us securely in His care. “A garden enclosed is My sister, My spouse” – Song of Sol. 4:12. It is so very important that we realize that we are apprehended first and foremost for His pleasure. Because of His work in His garden, He has pre-eminent right to the first enjoyment of the fruit. Then it is because of yieldedness to Him that our lives also are a blessing to others.

Engraven – by God, in His hands. “Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, They may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of My hands; thy walls are continually before Me” – Isa. 49:15-16. God here uses the natural instinct of divinely given motherhood, to amplify His compassion for His people. As we consider created motherhood with natural affections, we are made to realize that mothers of almost every species seem to automatically risk their lives for their offspring. A mother forgetting her child is not probable but possible. But with God, His constancy is such that for Him to forget His own is not probable nor possible. We are upon His hands in marks of indelible grace, so that neither time nor eternity will erase.

Enrolled – in God’s book.  What better place to be on record. The Apostle Paul wrote of those “whose names are in the book of life: – Phil. 4:3. In Hebrews 12:23, he speaks of those “which are written in heaven;” this is no doubt, the highest register in the universe. We also are comforted with the precious thought of being written in the Lamb’s book of life.

Encouraged – in His service. “And he set the priests in their charges, and encouraged them to the service of the house of the LORD” – II Chron. 35:2. God saw to their encouragement. Here the king encouraged the priests. In whatever our ministry, we each need this from our faithful Father. As we are in training now as kings and priests, He uses us to encourage on another. After the death of Moses, Joshua was told repeatedly to be “strong and of a good courage: – Josh. 1:6. The Lord encouraged him to go on, in His will, and to go in and possess the land. We are told to be “steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord” – I Cor. 15:58. Paul wrote, “Let us not be weary in well-doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” – Gal. 6:9. We are also told, “Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward” – Heb. 10:35.

Encamped – about by His angels. “The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them” – Psa. 34:7. “He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone” – Psa. 91:11-12. Jesus indicated, while on His way to the Cross, that He could have called twelve legions of angels to His aid. Angel encampment around the Lord’s people is well illustrated in II Kings 6. Elisha had been telling the king of Israel the secret battle plans of the king of Syria, and thus those plans failed. Therefore, the king of Syria sent a great host with chariots and horses to take Elisha captive. When they had surrounded the city and Elisha’s servant saw them, he was afraid. Elisha then encouraged him saying. “Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray Thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha” – II Kings 6:16-17.

Enlightened – from the Father, by the Spirit, through the Son. Oh, how our loving heavenly Father longs to reveal so many wonderful things to His children about Himself. We would mention here just three very important aspects of Divine enlightenment, in relation to His people. God greatly desires that we know in the heart the reality of these – HIS CALLING, HIS INHERITANCE, HIS POWER. “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him; The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe: – Eph. 1:17-19. If you will meditate on God’s Word, “think on theses things,” the eyes of your heart will be opened to deep and precious treasures.

Endued – with the Holy Spirit, the Divine enablement, “…behold, I send the promise of My Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high” – Lk. 24:49. This blessed endue-ment is to array, invest, or equip with the supernatural force, that makes us different. This miraculous ability is the power by which God’s will and work are performed in us, making us what He wants us to be. Now, not all believers go this far with God for this much. Nevertheless, their unbelief does not make God’s provision or promise any less true, but less practical in their experience. Thank God, they who believe and receive go on in the enjoyment of faith’s blessedness.

Engaged – to God’s Son to be the wife of the Lamb – II Cor. 11:1-3. It is the Apostle Paul’s place and privilege, by his abundant bridal revelation, to make this espousal. He has set before the whole Body of Christ this glorious offer; and, as His Bride, we may reign conjointly with Him. Jesus Christ, is going to present unto Himself a glorious company of people without spot or wrinkle. But Paul, in His “folly,” certainly had reason for “godly jealously.” Some even in that day were leaving that first love, And not continuing in the faith: but were being “moved away from the hope of the Gospel” – Col. 1:23. There were those who were “giving heed to seducing spirits,” taking other headships. Some were being morally and spiritually blinded by lust – cravings against God’s will and Word.

Thank God, the Gospel of Christ is presented in simplicity. But Satan still uses his subtlety, which appeals to the intellectual pride of man. He would becloud and blind from perception and purpose of the highest order, from the light of the glory of the Gospel. He cannot take the life of the believer; but, buy deception, he would beguile to lead away from single-minded faithfulness and single-hearted devotion that are pure and undefiled. So we are making the choice. Will you believe Him for these blessings? Will you accept this espousal and go all the way with Him” Oh, receive Him and honour Him as Lord, respect His Headship, rejoice in His Lordship.
J. D.