Last night I was doing a word study from the Bible. It helped me answer some questions I had, and at the same time, I have more questions I haven’t thought of before.
A long time ago, a teacher once said that the more you dig into the Bible, the deeper it goes, and you can keep digging forever.
Does that discourage you?
I remembered at that time when I heard that I was joking half-heartedly with my friend that it is almost futile to study because you will never end.
Last night I had a revelation. I realized that the study of the Bible is not an end to itself. Yes, you gain knowledge when you study (or whatever you set your heart to do). Studying the Word is like being a relationship. After seven years of marriage, I know Wai Jia more deeply than before. At the same time, I am still learning something new about her every day.
This doesn’t discourage me because it is a relationship. Since our faith is based on a relationship with God, it makes a lot of sense to view studying the Bible not as a knowledge acquiring experience but rather as a relationship with the Lord.
This also means it should never end. I have questions answered, and I will probably have more questions. It shouldn’t discourage me or shake my faith. It is part of the process.
If we think about it, the process will never end because in eternity, we will be praising, worshipping, and knowing who He is forever and ever!
Amen.
One Response
It’s encouraging that there’s depth in the Bible, in relationship with God, that we can grow in! And I think Eccl gives an apt warning for studying for studying’s sake: “Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them. Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body.” – Ecclesiastes 12:12