"Thanks Be Unto GOD For HIS Unspeakable Gift!"

Unspeakable!

(Alexander Smellie, "The Secret Place" 1907)

What vastness and wonder there

is about CHRIST and HIS redemption!

When HE is mine, I dwell among

inexhaustible and immeasurable things!

Three times the New Testament

uses the adjective "Unspeakable!"

concerning HIM.

1. "Thanks be unto GOD for HIS 
unspeakable gift!" 2 Corinthians 9:15

Saved by HIS mercy, I possess 

this unspeakable gift--

unspeakable on account 

of its dimensions. JESUS 

baffles computation, HE is so 

far-reaching and so wide.

I cannot describe HIS breadth: 

HE meets all the requirements 

of my many-sided nature--

body, mind, memory, imagination, 

conscience, will, heart.

I cannot estimate HIS length: 

from eternity past HE loved me--

and through eternity future HIS love 

will last, without end, without change!

I cannot fathom HIS depth: 

HE fathoms my sharpest sorrow, 

my bitterest agony, my fiercest 

temptation, my foulest sin.

I cannot scale HIS height: 

HE transforms me into HIS own 

holy likeness, and will soon bring 

me to HIS own presence--

up and up to the heart and 

the house of the FATHER!

CHRIST is an inexpressible gift 

which cannot be set forth in detail!

2. "He was caught up into paradise, 
and heard unspeakable words, which 
it is not lawful for a man to utter!" 
2 Corinthians 12:4

I listen to HIS unspeakable words--

unspeakable on account of their sacredness. 

It is not lawful for a man to utter them. 

I have moments on the Mount with 

my LORD, about which in their 

mystery and miracle and delight--

I cannot express. HE has HIS secrets 

for me, with which it would be sacrilege 

for a stranger to intermeddle. I am lifted 

into Paradise; I look on its flowers; 

I hearken to its songs--

and then I must shut up 

the marvel in my heart of hearts.

3. "Though you have not seen HIM, 
you love HIM; and even though you do not 
see HIM now, you believe in HIM and are filled 
with an unspeakable and glorious joy!"
 1 Peter 1:8

Admitted to HIS family, I rejoice 

with an unspeakable joy--

unspeakable on account of its 

richness. How superfluous and 

empty are words picture it--

how poor and inadequate! 

The cup runs over. 

The tide sweeps every barrier away! 

CHRIST intends me to have an unbroken 

experience of HIS pardoning mercy, and 

HIS keeping and sanctifying grace. 

HE intends me to reap inconceivable 

satisfaction from communion with HIMSELF. 

My joy on earth should be of the same 

substance, if not of the same degree, as 

the joy which waits for me in Heaven!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

GraceGems has published Edward Bickersteth's choice article,
 "Christian Parenting".