Matthew 13:53 Digging into Those Storehouses
He said to them, “Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.” (Matthew 13:52 – NIV)
This scripture is saying that we have a wealth of knowledge and insight in which the Lord has given to us that’s available at any time we need to communicate God’s love and compassion to others. You don’t see it? Then try looking at Eugene Patterson’s rendition in The Message ‘He said, “Then you see how every student well-trained in God’s kingdom is like the owner of a general store who can put his hands on anything you need, old or new, exactly when you need it”.’ The more we study God and develop a closer relationship with Christ, the more information we’ll have available to us. So, it’s important to listen to those Sunday morning church lessons, it’s important to repeat that bible verse while we’re brushing our teeth at night until we’ve memorized it, it’s important to read the bible and ask questions about things we do not yet understand.
As we grow in our relationship with God and increase our knowledge of Him, we should be able to walk into any situation and pull out exact scripture and insight from His Word to bring clarity to the situation at hand. This is what we, as Christians, should be able to do. We should be responsible enough for our faith and the wellbeing of others that we have a deep longing and desire to know God to the fullest and to be fully engaged in His Word that we can access it in its entirety at any moment, in every situation.
It’s easy to get overwhelmed with this idea, that we should be able to act Godly or speak to others about God at all times. So, first, we must realize that it’s not about us. It’s about God. He will provide the information we need, especially when it comes to defending His name. We must have faith that the Spirit is going to guide us or direct us in every circumstance to that information. He is going to give us what we need in every moment. But, we need to have information that He can access. We can t trust that God will materialize information out of thin air – He certainly can, but He shouldn’t have to.
Begin your journey by taking note of when His Word does come to mind. Or, recall when you remembered something you learned from youth group, church or Sunday School. It’s these moments in which you are calling on the storehouses, the knowledge that has been ingrained in you. Often times, these situations aren’t high stress engagements with others who desire to debate that your faith is wrong. Rather, they are moments when a friend needs an encouraging word, or you’re struggling through a problem or a sibling needs to know that there is more to life than frivolous nagging from your parents.
Author Anne Lamott says, “This is how we make important changes – barely, poorly, slowly. And still, He raises His first in triumph.” Nothing gets past Christ and the smallest changes or shifts in His favor or honor are great victories for Him. Jesus doesn’t expect outstanding revelations that bring forth significant change, those types of change don’t lay the ground work for the huge reality that God has planned for our lives. God loves change and evolution developed inch by inch, created on solid ground, establishing a firm foundation. The victory is in Jesus, not in us, but He does and always will bring us to victory with Him.
Overtime, more and more knowledge and insight will come to you more naturally as you learn more and engage in a deeper relationship with Christ. So, don’ t be timid or shy, but rather look for the ways that God has already used you, so you can be aware of opportunities to come.
