IS THERE ROOM?

Jack Davis

“… she brought forth her firstborn son … wrapped him in swaddling clothes … laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.” Lk. 2:7.

All Israel should have been prepared, willing and able to welcome the promised Messiah-King, but we read here a very significant statement “there was no room.” At His birth they found no room, at His death He was buried in a borrowed tomb. Thank God, we read a few hearts were ready to receive Him. “He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not.” Jn. 1:10-11.

As Jesus walked and ministered here and called followers unto Himself, He warned would-be followers, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nest; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.” Lk. 9:58. He discouraged those that would put other things first from following Him. He was despised and rejected of men, they cried away with Him, crucify Him, crucify Him. He had come all the way down, and humbled himself even unto the death of the cross, that He night make room in heaven for us, and lift us up. Jn. 14:1-3.

When He told the thief beside Him on the cross, “Today shalt thou be with me in paradise,” and when the veil in the temple was rent in the midst, it was evident Jesus had opened up the way and made room for believing humanity. He provided for bringing many sons, unto glory. Jesus would fill whatever space in our hearts and lives that we give Him. But what room does He find today?

Many believer’s days get too full of the temporal, natural earthly attractions and distractions. We get too busy with the everyday mundane, with no time to live or die. Oh, the poor rats in the maze, the poor caged squirrel on a revolving wheel, but where is humanity going? 

It seems most of us find no time, place nor space for the treasures of eternity. By misdirection and misplaced affection, many are neglecting the heavenly spiritual graces. Some of us step off the treadmill to satisfy carnal cravings and seem to get temporary relief, but are never satisfied. Only by feeding the spiritual man with inner nourishment from our Father are we truly satisfied. Therefore we would do well to allow absolutely nothing to crowd the Lord out of our daily living. We need more and more of him all the time. Therefore we are asked, is there room?

God determined He would destroy humanity with the earth, because it was filled with violence through them. But He gave Noah a special room, for Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. God not only warned him of coming judgment, but also gave him the plans for the way of escape. It was Noah’s place also to get ready, make room for the fulfillment of God’s purposes. By full persuasion he was moved to reverent preparation for his believing family’s preservation, but it also meant the worlds condemnation and his rich habitation, or inheritance. Heb. 11:7.

The ark gives us a picture of the believers refuge in Christ, from the coming storm of judgment. Noah was to pitch the ark within and without with pitch, to secure it against the waters of judgment. The same Hebrew word for pitch is translated atonement in other places. The window was placed in the ark “above” so Noah could look up instead of around at the total devastation. A door was placed in the side of the ark wherewith God shut him  in.

Then we find mentioned rooms (nests, compartments, Heb.) and lower, second and third stories (elevations. Heb.) or literally a journey to a higher place, climactic progression to a superiority of station. We read in Amos 9:6, “It is he that buildeth his stories in the heaven and hath founded his troop in the earth…”. It is not hard to see ranks figured by these rooms and stories, yet types do not stand on all four legs as it were. Is it possible that the place we will occupy in eternity is related to the room that we allow Him to occupy in our hearts and lives here?

In Genesis 24 we read of Abraham’s eldest servant being sent to find a bride for his son Isaac. The servant took ten of his master’s camels and departed, “for all the goods of the master were in his hand.” When Rebecca is found, three request are made of her. Will she give drink to the servant, and the camels? Is there room? Will she go on this long journey to become the bride of Isaac?

What about her attitude concerning the camels, which represent divine providence? They will do their job if fed and watered properly, and ridden enduringly. Rebecca serves them first, then rides them making them her servants. They became the brides ride unto the journey’s end. We each must give room to him (the Holy Spirit) who has the camels in control, and the “goods” of the Master in his hand.

We are taught to receive the Spirit, submit to him, yield to his influence, launch out in his control. In verses 34-36, the servant told Rebecca and her family of the wealth that the son was to come into. Paul said, “that I may know Him.” The Holy Spirit reveals Jesus to our hearts with all His unsearchable wealth, (Eph. 3:8) as we give him the time and attention. He also provides room enlargement as Christ dwells in our hearts by faith.

“Then came the day  of unleavened bread, when the Passover must be killed…he sent Peter and John saying Go and prepare us the Passover…and they said unto him, where wilt thou that we prepare? And he said…Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house…And ye shall say into the goodman of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the Passover with my disciples? And he shall shew you a large upper room furnished: there make ready.” Lk. 22:7-12. 

We do well to allow room in our daily course, for the life and development of Jesus Christ in us, and for close fellowship with our heavenly Father, and for the sweet communion of the Holy Spirit. He should be a welcome room maker in us. We also are shown to a place of preparation on our way. Wherever he guides us, there we are to make ready for that special feast of all feasts. The place provided for us of grace is beyond measure, of highest glory, furnished with splendor of our Lord.

Rom. 5:2 – “Grace Wherein We Stand:” Where are we standing today? Do you find favor in the sight of the Lord? How did you get in here? Oh, what a standing! Such a glorious position, what a marvelous sanctuary! Are you an insider? Who let you in? Who brought you  in? Who provided you access? Is it not through our Lord Jesus Christ? Jesus said, “I am the door of the sheep.” In Revelation we read, “I have set before you an open door.” What key fits the door to this wonderful sanctuary? “We have access by faith into this grace…”. When Jesus by the grace of God tasted death for everyman, God was saying; “Come on in!” 

“They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the Lord was my stay. He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me” Psa. 18:18-19. “I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy; for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities; And hast not shut me up into the hand of the enemy: And hast set my feet in a large room.” Psa. 31:7-8.

Standing in grace gives us such a pleasant present rejoicing and hope. And, Oh, what a marvelous confidence and certainty of a glorious future with our dear beloved Lord!!!