Devoted to the Propagation and Defense of New Testament Christianity
VOLUME 19
March 11, 1968
NUMBER 48, PAGE 1-2a

The Half Has Not Been Told

Robert Harkrider

The report of Solomon's wisdom and wealth was too great for the queen of Sheba to believe. But after she had seen with her own eyes the blessings God had bestowed upon Solomon she said, "the half was not told me" (I Kings 10:1-9). Likewise the "half has never yet been told" of the manifold blessings God bestows upon the Faithful Christian, but those who have never obeyed the gospel are like the queen of Sheba; they neither comprehend nor believe the report; they must see for themselves.

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Peter wrote of "joy unspeakable" (I Peter 1:8) and Paul spoke of the "peace of God which passeth all understanding" (Phil. 4:7). Words cannot properly or tnose unaer this synan of God finds in the loillecikc...17,N1iiirselitiam1spe of heaven. The peace pent for sin. Notice that the Patriatind; that is, 1Nbitlafrilit L'iik;RIZA. way LUID,L1Ve or imagine.

True Wealth

True wealth cannot be measured in terms of gold and silver, Neither can it be acquired through possessing those things the eye can see or the hand can hold. Perhaps this is why the Lord's wealth is incomprehensible to the alien sinner. Man's wisdom says to gain material wealth, but such a pursuit is cast upon a course filled with many troubles (Matt. 6:24; I Tim. 6:9-10). The man who attains only the wealth of this world may not realize until death how deeply in poverty he actually is, for when he dies he can take nothing with him; and what will be his condition then? True wealth comes through making the unusual choice of seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matt. 6:33), for in so choosing, the man of God is supplied with every material possession needed in this life, and in the world to come, eternal life with God. But such a choice is not reasonable to human logic.

Take Solomon, for instance, He did not choose the things most men would seek. God had told Solomon, "Ask what I shall give thee." When the king responded with the request for wisdom and knowledge by which he might judge God's people, it pleased Jehovah greatly (II Chron. 1:712). Solomon's request was so unusual that the Lord enumerated some things that he had not chosen: riches, wealth, honor, the life of his enemies, or long life. Those would have been the natural choice of men guided by the selfish desire of the flesh. By seeking the best, Solomon obtained the more. His choice for wisdom would enable him to rule acceptably as king of God's nation. Pleasing God was more important to Solomon than the desire for selfish gain. Because of this God blessed him with far more: "Wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee; and I will give riches, and wealth, and honor, such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee, neither shall there any after thee have the like" (II Chron. 1:12).

Let a man seek first the spiritual, and he will not be able to measure his wealth, for God has promised to bless him with ALL his needs. To him the Lord has said, "Be not therefore anxious for the morrow: for the morrow will be anxious for itself' (Matt. 6:34). The man who makes this unusual choice of putting God before self has been promised "manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting" (Luke 18: 30; Mark 10:29-30). Paul exhorted Timothy, "For bodily exercise profiteth little; but Godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come" (I Tim. 4:8).

Joy Unspeakable

The half has never yet been told of the spiritual blessings of Christ. True, the child of God suffers troubles which are common to all men, such as sickness and death. He may sorrow at times, even as did Christ (John 11:35). However, he does not bear these sorrows as those without hope (I Thess. 4:13). His joy can be compared to the bed of the ocean. Though its surface reacts to the exterior conditions and is sometimes turbulent, sometimes calm, yet the bed of the ocean is untouched by anything on the surface. When the storms of life are raging, the faithful man of God finds peace which surpasseth understanding through the assurance that Christ strengtheneth him (Phil. 4:11-13).

The following is an outline of a few scriptures using the word "rejoice." The Bible student may amplify these or add multiplied other verses in showing reasons for the "unspeakable joy" of the faithful Christian.

(I) Acts 8:35-39; Acts 16:30-34; Rom. 5:2-Forgiveness of Sins;

(2) Psalm 19:8 - The Lord's Statutes Are Right. The man who follows Bible principles has a sure and steadfast guide for every relationship of life whether spiritual, family, social, economic, or civil;

(3) Psalm 5:11-12 - God Defends The Righteous. The Christian knows that all things will work together for good (Rom. 8:28);

(4) John 16:21-24 - God Hears Our Prayers. Through Christ, we know He will grant all our needs (I John 5:14-15).

(5) I Peter 1:3-10 - Promise of an Incorruptible

Inheritance.

The Christian is indeed the richest person in the world. As he looks to the past, he has a joyful memory that all sins are forgiven; as he contemplates the present, he has a joyful assurance that all things will work together for good; and as he faces the future, he has a joyful anticipation of eternal life. With understanding he can sing the familiar song, "I Know I Love Thee Better Lord" written by Frances R. Havergal:

"I know I love Thee better, Lord,

Than any earthly joy;

For Thou host given me the peace

Which nothing can destroy.

The half has never yet been told,

Of Love so full and free!

The half has never yet been told,

The blood - it cleanseth me!

I know that Thou art nearer still

Than any earthly throng;

And sweeter is the thought of Thee

Than any lovely song.

O Savior, precious Savior mine!

What will Thy presence be,

If such a life of joy can crown

Our walk on earth with Thee?

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