“Abundance and Access”

    Our memory verse for this week promises that God has made provision for everything that our earthly lives will bring to our doorstep.

    "His Divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness…

    A caveat exists, however, regarding our experience and access of such abundance.

   "…Through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue" (II Peter 1:3).

    Nothing confronts Christians for which supply does not presently exist for and within us.  Again, however, we must access such grace in accordance with the faith and confidence that comes with knowing the faithfulness and competence of our Heavenly Father.  If we know Him well, we will likely trust Him in times of both bounty and need, happiness and sorrow, triumph and trial.  "Because Thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of Thy wings will I rejoice" (Psalm 63:7).  Conversely, if we find ourselves overwhelmed by challenge, we can be sure that much need exists for our growth in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.  "If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small" (Proverbs 24:10).  We trust someone to the degree we know them, that is, that we have experience-based confidence in their willingness, ability, and availability.  Thus, Solomon calls us to diligence: "Get wisdom, and with all thy getting, get understanding" (Proverbs 4:7).  Our brother of old references not merely wisdom and understanding in general terms, but rather wisdom and understanding regarding the Lord.  Who is He?  What comprises His character and nature?  What are His ways?  No inquiry begins to compare with these questions that, if answered, enable us to access the promise of "all things that pertain to life and godliness."  

    "The knowledge of the Holy is understanding" (Proverbs 9:10).  We must know and understand much about many things in order to navigate the course of our lives.  All must begin and continue, however, in "the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ" (II Corinthians 4:6).  Full provision has been made for our hearts and for every exigency.  Our access of such grace depends on "the knowledge of the Holy."  Again, we trust someone to the degree that we know them.  The choice is ours, in this, the only day we actually have to seek and obtain the knowledge of the Lord Jesus that enables us to access His promised abundance.

"Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."

(II Peter 3:18)

"As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after Thee, o Lord!"

(Psalm 42:1)

Weekly Memory Verse

    His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue.

(II Peter 1:3)