Far Above All

Far Above All

“Far above all!” Yes, this can be the continuous experience of every child of God. However great the difficulties, our Mighty Keeper is able to keep fully at all times and in all places. Joined to the Risen Lord we may truly be kept “far above all” our surroundings. The enemy would use these to drag us down, but Jesus can keep us “far above” as we learn to live in His faithfulness, and cease to struggle and resist, but lie down in His will day by day and say, “Yes, Lord” to all that comes.

“Far above all!” How can this be? Only by knowing God’s deliverance from the life which keeps us in bondage to the things of the earth. Only by knowing, in the power of the Spirit, the full meaning of Calvary’s Cross. Not only has Christ died that that we might be “forgiven all trespasses,” but, as the apostle Paul tells us again and again, that we too died with Him and were buried with Him “through baptism into death.” (Romans 6:4) The one condition for setting us free to live “far above all” in the power of His endless life is “faith in the working of God, Who raised Him from the dead” (Colossians 2:12).

But first, we need to ask if we are really and honestly purposed to be separated from all that holds us down, and to let the Holy Spirit make to die “all” doings not of God? (Romans 8:13).

The Holy Spirit will bear witness to our death in the death of our Lord Jesus, if we are true in our desire to know all that it means, and so fully prove the life of “far above all” with the risen Lord.

“Far above all!” If the things around us fret us, then the enemy has pulled us down enough for that to happen. “For freedom, did Christ set us free: stand fast therefore, and be not entangled again, in bondage.” (Galatians 5:1). We need to simply recognize our freedom and, as we go in and out among the things that try us, trust and praise our God that He is keeping us “far above all.”

“Far above all!” Lifted above earthly things and earthly surroundings the spirit dwells in God (Psalm 90:1, Psalm 32:7, John 6:56, 1 John 3:24). Here it sees the King in His beauty and gets such a vision of eternal realities, that the things of time sink into their right place and are valued at their true worth. Here it hides in the “secret place of the Most High” and finds “no plague comes near to its dwelling.” (see Psalm 91:1-10 A.V.). “The Eternal God is thy dwelling place.” (Deuteronomy 33:27).

“Blessed are they that dwell” (Psalm 84:4).

“Your hidden ones” (Psalm 83:3).

Hid “with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3).

Hidden “in His pavilion” (Psalm 27:5, A.V.).

His “chambers” (Song of Solomon 1:4), Hidden “from the strife of tongues” (Psalm 31:20). Hidden “in the day of trouble” (Psalm 27:5). Hidden “manna given to them” (Revelation 2:17). Hidden “wisdom revealed to them” (1 Corinthians 2:7, Matthew 11:25). Hidden “riches of secret places” (Isaiah 45:3), Dwelling “at ease upon His heart” (Psalm 25:3). Dwelling “in quiet resting places” (Isaiah 32:18).

“Far above all!” Here everything is the will of God to His child. Here we reverently say with Jesus, “Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?” (not withstanding that the cup of sorrow was given to our suffering Lord by the hand of Judas).

There are no second causes to the soul hidden in God. Misunderstanding, sorrows, trials may come, but it yearns to follow, in its earthward life, the footsteps of Christ in His gentleness, meekness, lowliness and love. For “Far above all” in spirit with God, makes us rejoice to be the servant of all in our interactions with others.

“Do you believe that I am able to do this?”

They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.” (Matthew 9:28).