Every great life has had in it some great renunciation.

Abraham began by letting go, and going out, and all the way it was just giving up: first his home, his father, and his past; next his inheritance to Lot, his selfish nephew; and finally the very child of promise on the altar of Moriah; but he became the father of the faithful, whose inheritance was as the sands of the sea and the stars of the heavens.

Hear David saying, “Neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing” (2 Samuel 24:24 KJV). David paid the full price. And we read, “The throne of David shall be established before the LORD for ever” (1 Kings 2:45 KJV).

Hannah gave up her boy, and he became the prophet of the restoration of ancient Israel.

Paul not only suffered the loss of all things but also counted them but refuse that he might win Christ. And Paul stood before the common people and in the palaces of kings.

So it is always: real sacrifice, unto complete surrender of self, brings to us the revelation of God in His fullness. As we have already seen, it was only on condition of Jacob’s releasing and the brothers’ bringing the best they had, Benjamin, that they could even see Joseph’s face again. And when Judah went farther than this and offered himself to be Joseph’s slave forever, then it was that Joseph could keep back nothing, but found himself compelled to reveal everything to those for whom his heart yearned. It is God’s own way with us. God in Jesus Christ does not, and apparently cannot, make Himself fully known in His personality and love, until we have surrendered to Him unconditionally and forever not only all we have, but all we are. Then God can refrain no longer, but lavishes upon us, in Christ, such a revealing of Himself that it cannot be told in words.

But the supreme sacrifice!

God had to sacrifice Himself, in Christ, in order thus to reveal Himself to us; but His sacrifice alone will not suffice. Not until we in turn have sacrificed ourselves to Him is the revelation possible and complete. But what a revelation it is! What glory God gives us in the life that is Christ as our lives! How it changes everything for us thereafter from famine to royal abundance!

MESSAGES FOR THE MORNING WATCH

I heard a voice so softly calling:

“Take up thy cross and follow me.”

A tempest o’er my heart was falling,

A living cross this was to me.

His cross I took, which, cross no longer,

A hundredfold brings life to me;

My heart is filled with joy overflowing,

His love and life are light to me.

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