The Word of God is an inexhaustible treasure. It is possible to read it again and again and find something new each time to bless or challenge our hearts.
Recently, I came these comments from St. Ephrem the Deacon (A.D. 306-373) on the impossibility of the Scriptures ever running dry as a wellspring for our souls:
"Be glad that you are overwhelmed [by the impossibility of exhausting the Scriptures], and do not be saddened because He has overcome you. A thirsty man is happy when he is drinking, and he is not depressed because he cannot exhaust the spring. So let this spring quench your thirst, and not your thirst the spring. For if you can satisfy your thirst without exhausting the spring, then when you thirst again you can drink from it once more; but if when your thirst is sated the spring is also dried up, then your victory would turn to your own harm.
"Be thankful then for what you have received, and do not be saddened at all that such abundance still remains. What you have received and attained is your present share, while what is left will be your heritage. For what you could not take at one time because of your weakness, you will be able to grasp at another if only you persevere. So do not foolishly try to drain in one draught what cannot be consumed all at once, and do not cease out of faintheartedness from what you will be able to absorb as time goes on."
These words of St. Ephrem echo what the psalmist wrote so succinctly in Psalm 119:96:
"To all perfection I see a limit; but your commands are boundless."
How delightful this Christmas season to reflect on the boundless provision God has made for us in both Written and Living Word. Merry Christmas!
1 comment:
It really is amazing how God's word is timeless. It doesn't matter who you are or how old you are, it's always refreshing, insightful and "absolutely" true.
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