If you quickly glance around as you are driving you may not see that armadillo along the side of the road or what make of car just zoomed past you. It is the same with the Word of GOD.
GOD has spoken to us through HIS prophets (moved by GOD the HOLY SPIRIT to write and speak 2 Peter 1:21), “whatsoever things were written (in Scripture) were written for our learning…” (Romans 15:4).
Although JESUS said “Man cannot live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of GOD (Matthew 4:4), many Christians don’t see the need to read the Bible for themselves. Others read the Bible because they think they are supposed to but, don’t really expect to hear from GOD personally and speed read as if by osmosis they will absorb the riches contained within the eternal word of GOD. But they wonder why the word of GOD doesn’t really speak to them.
GOD says that HE rewards them that diligently SEEK HIM (Hebrews 11:6, Jeremiah 29:13). To seek HIM with all of our hearts we must THINK. Note the context of what you are reading, the principle being spoken of, how it is spoken of in other places of the Bible and zero in on what the words show us. I sometimes call this connecting the dots.
“Then Jesus said to them, “So every ·teacher of the law [scribe] who has ·been taught about [become a disciple of] the kingdom of heaven is like the ·owner [head] of a house. He brings out both new things and old things ·he has saved [from his treasure/storeroom; knowledge of the Old Testament provides insight into JESUS’ “new” message of the kingdom of GOD]” (Matthew 13:52 EXB).
Let’s look at an example of having to simply THINK (ponder on what is said) to know what the Bible is talking about. “JESUS despising the shame” (Hebrews 12:2). Where was HE? JESUS was enduring as HE was crucified on the cross. Why did JESUS feel shame?
Two of the reasons are:
1-Matthew 27:25 Soldiers stripped off JESUS’ clothing. THINK what does that tell us? JESUS hung naked where all who passed by could see HIM. I don’t want people seeing me naked, that would bring me shame. How about you?
2-Hebrews 1:9 JESUS HATED sin, Isaiah 53:6 ALL SIN from Adam and Eve in the garden to the last sin after the uprising after the 1,000 year reign, was laid on JESUS as HE hung on the cross and paid for our sin. “For the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23).
When I realize I have sinned, I feel SHAME. JESUS felt the SHAME of all mankind, “for all have sinned and come short of the glory of GOD” (Romans 3:23). The SHAME JESUS felt hanging there is beyond anything we can imagine. The positive side of it is that HE understands how we feel after we have sinned, and HE cares. JESUS chose to suffer SHAME because HE loved us and wanted to save us and give us eternal life.
“For GOD so loved the world that HE gave HIS only begotten SON that whosoever believes in HIM will not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16), He that believes on the SON has everlasting life, and he that believes not the SON shall not see life, but the wrath of GOD abides (stays) on him” (John 3:36).
Do you seek to know GOD and HIS ways better? Are you taking the time to zero in on words and asking GOD for answers? I hope so for it make us stand in AWE of our Marvelous triune GOD.
Hugs Sharon
wakemyear 