God's Unspeakable Gift

Dear class,

The readings today are taken from Psalms 129-131 and 2Corinthians 9.

In the stunning conclusion to this entire major section of his second letter to the Corinthian saints, Paul makes the simple yet at the same time deeply profound statement - Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift.

We've seen previously how Paul through various facets, expressed the Christians' hope and longing in God's promises and how we should conduct ourselves as a result. In this particular section in chapter 9, Paul exhorts all to be generous givers, knowing well that we are all but stewards of God's blessings and that He is the ultimate giver.
Truly, God is our ultimate object in thanksgiving. All our blessings, physical and spiritual originate from Him (2Pe 1:3).
Especially when we think of this "unspeakable" gift. The Greek word here - anekdiegetos comprises of the negative "an" and "ekdiegeomai". The latter of which alludes to a declaration (c.f. Act 13:41; 15:3). The other commonly used term by translators is "indescribable".

How so Paul? This precious gift of Christ, unto the salvation of souls of man (Jhn 3:16) is unspeakable, indescribable, inexpressible in human tongue because of

1) The time in planning
Have you ever planned that perfect occasion for a loved one? It may be for your mom, a girlfriend, your spouse. A birthday, an anniversary, a celebration. But few would deny that the importance attached to is proportional to the time spent in foreplanning and the preparation itself. One wonders how his girlfriend would react if her beau's idea of a valentine gift is a stalk of rose hastily purchased from a roadside vendor!
Yet God's unspeakable gift was planned since the foundation of the world, thousands of years in the making (1Pe 1:20)! God's manifold wisdom and foresight truly confounds the brightest of human minds and imaginations (Eph 3:10; 1Co 1:25).

2) It's value
Some say the diamond is the women's best friend! It's beauty? Rarity? Value? Durability? Yet God's unspeakable gift out-values and outlasts any worldly entity. It's valuation? The precious, sinless blood of Christ! (1Pe 1:18,19) It's duration? Eternity! (Rom 6:23) What or who can beat that? Read a quote recently - "Things that come easy don't last; things that last don't come easy". If that were true, one can only marvel at the value of this unspeakable gift, that lasts an eternity.

3) It's recipient
At the end of the day, our best gifts are confined to a limited people. Yet God's unspeakable gift, just as precious, valuable and lasting as it is, is freely available to ALL (Jhn 3:16; Rom 1:16). That is God's promise to His people before, at present and in the time forward, till His Son comes again. It will never grow old or default but ever ready to be given freely to whomsoever is willing to accept!

Let us not take God's unspeakable gift for granted and do our very best to lay hold unto it and share it's availability with one and all.

The Lord bless our day ahead.

In Him
Paul

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But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. ~ Hebrews 3:13

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. ~ Psalm 119:11