Study Tip: Studying Extremes

Something I've noticed in the course of reading and studying Scripture is how often God goes to extremes. By that I mean, when God says or does something, it is "all" or "none" or the "most" or the "least". Paying attention to those little words are tremendous food for the soul.

 

Try it on familiar verses like Isaiah 53:6 – "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all."

All of us are sinners. I cannot justify or excuse what I think or do. I am part of that 'all'. All of us have rebelled and God laid the guilt, the consequences and the judgment on Jesus Christ. Not some, or even most. Every last one of us. No one is beyond the reach of Christ's blood.

 

Psalm 23:4 "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me. Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me."

No evil. None. Not even the most terrifying, threatening, stomach-churning, heart-pounding evil. I will not fear it. That's mighty big faith… but He's a mighty big God who is there with rod and staff to comfort.

 

And one of my personal favorites- Philippians 4:6 "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;"

(Middle of a sentence, I know, but I'm trying to stay focused here.) Worry about NOTHING. Pray about EVERYTHING. There are no exclusions. Worry and anxiety is a sign that we don't believe God is in control. Of everything. Nothing has escaped His notice, and everything is part of His plan. But, none of our concerns are too small to bring Him. He is always ready and willing to hear our hearts.

 

So as you study and read, watch for extremes- all, nothing, everything, nothing, none, every…  and be assured that God never does anything halfway.