The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…
"Give Attendance To Reading"
"We devote ourselves to the Holy Spirit's most basic protocol regarding the understanding of the Bible:
Scripture interprets Scripture."
No Scripture stands alone.
"In Thy light shall we see light" (Psalm 36:9).
Every statement, verse, and passage of God's Word requires understanding in the light of companion truth. Consider perhaps the simplest statement of the Bible: "there is one God" (I Timothy 2:5). This would be simple, basic, and forthright - if God did not also exist in a triunity wherein Scripture identifies the Father as God, the Son, as God, and the Holy Spirit as God (II John 1:3; Hebrews 1:8; Acts 5:3). In this light of wonder, we bow in the understanding that the simple becomes the sublime when viewed in correlation with the measureless span of God's truth.
"His understanding is infinite" (Psalm 147:5).
This includes every aspect of revelation provided in Scripture. A verse in I Thessalonians regarding prayer may correlate with a passage in Proverbs. A flame of truth flickering in Ephesians might shine far brighter when an ember is tossed upon it from Joshua. Th book of Revelation can only begin to be understood if one knows something about Genesis. On and on, forevermore, we see light in accordance with light as we devote ourselves to the Holy Spirit's most basic protocol regarding the understanding of the Bible: Scripture interprets Scripture.
"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).
This calls every believer to consistently read of God's Word whereby we may follow the protocol. "Give attendance to reading" counseled the Apostle Paul to Timothy (I Timothy 4:13). In other words, "Show up day by day at the temple of the Bible, Timothy, hiding the Lord's truth in your heart so that you may have the ability to coordinate Scripture with Scripture." The Spirit of God calls us all to the delight and diligence of giving attendance to the reading of a gift both simple and sublime. Some will be called to be more studious than others, based on calling and necessity. All are beckoned to avail ourselves as well as possible to the reading that ushers us into reality, and keeps us there as we see Light in Light.
A final thought. It does not matter how long we have read and studied the Bible. The privilege and responsibility of giving attendance to reading lie before us as no less a necessity than in the first day of our relationship with God. Infinite truth known in one ray of divine light blesses us in the moment, and in context of the present need. However, it also promises eternally brighter illumination as a God beyond full understanding beckons us to come ever further, dive ever deeper, and soar ever higher into Himself and His truth. This day beckons us to the journey, a vital aspect of which involves "give attendance to reading."
"Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit."
(II Peter 1:20-21)
Weekly Memory Verse
We love Him because He first loved us.
(I John 4:19)
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