"Here a Little, There a Little"
Regarding every fundamental doctrine of Scripture, many verses rather than one or a few must illuminate our understanding of God and His Truth.
"Whom shall He teach knowledge? And whom shall He make to understand doctrine? Them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little" (Isaiah 28:9-10).
God inspired His Word for those serious enough to realize that growing awareness of its knowledge, doctrine, precepts, and lines requires time, diligence, and patience. While the Biblical message of salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ is breathtakingly simple - necessarily - those who believe that message then discover a lifetime of growth in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus lies before us. Only by consistently correlating verses and passages can we increasingly comprehend the meaning of all doctrine. "The entrance of Thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding to the simple" (Psalm 119:130). Note the plural of the Psalmist's declaration: "words." We do well to realize our ongoing need for confirmation and enhancement of our understanding regarding every teaching of the Bible. The Apostle Paul taught that we know nothing yet as we ought to know (I Corinthians 8:2). Thus, the challenge lies before us, the "here a little, there a little" calling wherein we seek to fortify and improve the structure of our understanding. "The path of the just is as the shining light, which shineth more and more unto the perfect day" (Proverbs 4:18).
Our consideration should both thrill us and still us. First, the infinite nature of Biblical truth promises "wonders without number" (Job 9:10). Regardless of how far we journey into the light of God, His Spirit beckons, "Come further, climb higher, dive deeper!" "His understanding is infinite" (Psalm 147:5). No contemplation should more fill our hearts with joy as God's eternal nature promises growing illumination of glory both now and forevermore. However, the same Truth also stops us in our tracks with the solemn realization: we must know more of God and the doctrinal truth of Scripture that reveals His character, nature, and way. Indeed, we do well to allow the current of "I know nothing yet as I ought to know" to continually course through the riverbed of our hearts and minds. This will always be the case, and thus we bow before God and His Word in the humbling realization of wonders to come. "A wise man will hear and will increase learning" (Proverbs 1:5).
Whatever we presently know of God and His truth, it is not enough. Writing these words has thrilled and stilled me, a response I am sure you share. We must be thirsty for God, and hungry for His Truth. Now. Always. Forever. He is worthy of such realization, determination, and intensity. We shall not be disappointed as we tread the path of "here a little, there a little" regarding the Light that ever beckons, "Come further, climb higher, dive deeper!" The lines and the precepts await us, as does the God who dwells therein to greet us with growing grace and glory…
"Call unto Me, and I will answer thee and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not."
(Jeremiah 33:3)
"Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and Thy Word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by Thy name, O LORD God of hosts."
(Jeremiah 15:15)
Weekly Memory Verse
"Without Me ye can do nothing."
(John 15:5).
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