The Sweetness Of Jesus

Will you pause with me for a moment, to acknowledge just where our Sweet Jesus has brought us today? Today is the final day of the first month of the New Year. Today, as we look at our lives, we are moved with deepest gratitude and thanks, and we cannot but surrender our lives to Father God, in deepest humility. In the midst of all our sorrows, trials, griefs, threats, temptations and tribulations, we are pleased to acknowledge the work and witness of the Holy Ghost in our lives.

I share with you a Word, a sweet Word that was given to me, fed to me by the Holy Spirit, as I looked and listened to what was not an uncommon sight. It was raining heavily and the sun was shining brightly. As children, whenever this happened, we had this local island-saying, which we loved to quote, “The devil and his wife fighting for ham bone.” When I came to reside in another nearby island, I was told that they too had a similar saying for when the sun was shining brilliantly and the rain was falling profusely, all at the same time. Their saying was, “The devil and his wife fighting for the cou-cou stick.” However the local sayings, the fact is that there are times when such is the manner of the weather.

As I looked at the rain pelting down and the sun shining in all her splendour, I thought to myself that the sun, as brightly as it shines, is not able to dry up the puddles of water or the wet clothes on the lines. As I began to think other thoughts about the rain and its work, I heard, "Look at the branches and leaves on the mango tree." The mango tree is right outside my bedroom window. I looked and of course the rain had its leaves and branches all wet, drenched and dripping. The sun had it all shining and shimmering, as it reflected the brilliant sunshine. Then this is the Word that totally overtake me.

I was fed these words most graciously, slowly and in a manner most satisfying and gratifyingly sweet. Won’t you feed on this sweet word also? Please do!

Look at how the wind is able to move the wet, glowing branches and leaves of the mango tree. Look at how, even when they are wet with rain and the rain keeps on drenching them, the wind is still most powerful, to move them. The leaves and branches, whether they are laden with rain or not, are no deterrent, nor challenge for the blowing wind. The same is true of the Wind of the Spirit on your life. I can move you and do My perfect work in you, regardless of how heavy you are, from the cares and burdens upon you. Whether your life at present is full of sunshine, or rain, or both; whether you are full or empty, light or heavy, afraid or unafraid, up or down, My Holy Spirit is never ever intimidated nor is He made less powerful to move you as He wills.

I was taught, I was fed, I ate and was more than satisfied. All that was happening in my life, suddenly paled before the eyes of faith. This Living Word was not just Sweet Food to me and in me. It brightened me up and gave me the strength and courage to give praise to our Heavenly Father, knowing that nothing in my life, nothing that comes upon me can make me so heavy, that His Holy Spirit is unable to deal with me, help me and free me. This is perfectly true for you also for Jesus, the Living Word is sweet to us in Name and Nature.

My dear friends, may God always help us to ever remember that the sweetness of Jesus is not some emotional, here today and gone tomorrow, wonder. God Forbid! The sweetness of Jesus takes over our lives, making us more and more like Jesus in Name and Nature. When we search the Scriptures, we are overwhelmed with the descriptions, child-like zeal, exuberance and honesty of servants of God, as they present and publish the sweetness of our Lord, to all who would accept, believe and receive. Listen to a few of them as they are confirmed in you also.

How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Psalm 119: 103.

Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. Psalm 34: 8

Eat honey, my son, for it is good; honey from the comb is sweet to your taste. Know also that wisdom is sweet to your soul; if you find it, there is a future hope for your soul and your hope will not be cut off. Proverbs 24: 13 – 14.

Son of man, eat this scroll I am giving you and fill your stomach with it. So I ate it, and it tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth. Ezekiel 3: 3

As we leave the last day of our now, one month old year, I offer you these sweet words, penned by John Newton.