Sometimes You Need To Dig!

The brochure on our door says, “Hello, Lee’s Summit. Fiber is here.” That’s google fiber.

The ad proclaims it’s “Super fast internet. Powerful Wi-Fi. A DVR like no other.” I checked the google web page, their internet speed is 1,000 megabits per second. Mine is 15! In a race google fiber would finish in 4 seconds. It would take me over 4 minutes!

I’m watching with interest as workers are invading our neighbor installing the cable. However, the other day while driving down the street and navigating the trucks, equipment, and workers something struck me as interesting.

There were men with shovels digging holes! Even with their Ditch Witch machines and the huge cable with it’s hi-tech possibilities, they still needed men with old-fashioned shovels! Digging holes!

I thought about the change in technology as it has impacted my preaching and teaching. I no longer use a typewriter, but a computer. I can research material on-line. I commented to Norma Jean the other day, that I have at least 8 shelves of books in my library that I no longer use. The commentaries and reference works are stored in my lap top!

Yet one thing has not changed. I still have to read. Study. Think. Meditate. I still have to dig into the scriptures. And so do you!

I fear that with all of our modern inventions that make life easier and bring information to us faster, we think there ought to be a short-cut to understanding the Bible.

I recently heard someone comment about a particular Bible topic: “It shouldn’t be that hard!” Their view was that if the subject needed very much explanation with an application of scriptural principles, logic, and deduction then the conclusion must be flawed! After all, “it shouldn’t be that hard!”

I’m reminded that the apostle Peter commented on Paul’s writing by saying, “some things (are) hard to understand” (2 Pet 3:16) Not impossible! But you might need to do a little digging!

In writing to Timothy the inspired apostle admonished, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

To “rightly divide” God’s word, means to handle it accurately and correctly. It literally means “to cut a straight or smooth line.” One writer compared it to “plowing a straight furrow.” This requires attention. Thought. Concentration. Dedication.

The word “diligence” means “to exert one’s self, endeavor, to make haste.” It speaks of one who expends energy, works and labors to accomplish the goal. In others you might need to do some digging!

When Paul preached in Berea, Luke writes regarding their reception of the gospel this way: “These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.” (Acts 17:11)

The word “search” means “to investigate, scrutinize, interrogate, or determine.” It has to do with the examination of something. A.T. Robertson says it means “to sift up and down, make careful and exact research as in legal processes.” Barclay says the word was used by lawyers in research and investigation of a case. Sound like digging to me!

My point?

God gave us a mind to think. Reflect. And reason. He revealed His Word for us to read. Study. Learn. And apply to our lives. Some things are easy to understand. But not all scripture is inspirational, devotional  reading. Other issues require a bit more effort.

Even with computers, Bible programs and google fiber, it is still necessary to dig into God’s Word.

“Be not unwise. But understand what the will of the Lord is.” (Eph. 5:17)

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman