The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…
"New and Old"
"But grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (II Peter 3:18).
Regardless of how far we have ventured down the path of righteousness, God and His truth beckon us to come further. Indeed, because the Lord and His light are infinite, the godliest saint on the planet has only just begun to know and respond to Him. In this sense, every day is a new day in our journey, although we do build upon past truths learned and experienced in our walk with God.
"Then said He unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of Heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things and old."
(Matthew 13:52)
Our reading and pondering of Scripture reflects this dual sense of the new and the old. We can rightly open the Book as if we have never read it before. God's truth is so alive and fresh we will often encounter statements and passages that seem completely novel to our hearts and minds. I have often said in jest to the Lord, "You must have added that since last time I read it!" (although, of course, I know the Canon is closed and no further additions to Scripture are forthcoming). Verses perhaps read hundreds of times shine so vividly with light that they seem new as the Holy Spirit illuminates truth with greater meaning and nuance.
At the same time, for the believer who has known the Lord for awhile, our increased understanding most often grows upon truth already known and assimilated.
"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).
Of the many reasons we will open the Scriptures today, preparation for tomorrow serves a vital role. We can only build upon "lines" and "precepts" that already reside within us. Thus, we seek to be consistent in exposing our hearts to the light of God in the recognition of our need for present growth, based upon past growth. "Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser. Teach a just man, and he will increase in learning" (Proverbs 9:9).
The Spirit of God and the Word of God beckon us in this day to come further into the light of God. We desperately require such progress in the personal and doctrinal knowledge of our infinite Lord. He delightedly awaits to provide it. We can be sure our Heavenly Father desires our growth in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus far more than do we ourselves. Thus, He will meet us as we arise to journey further down the path, revealing Himself and His truth whereby glories new and old unite to fulfill Solomon's blessed promise…
"The path of the just is as the shining light, which shineth more and more unto the perfect day."
(Proverbs 4:18)
Weekly Memory Verse
O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!
(Romans 11:33)
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