Familiarity breeds contempt or familiarity brings forth change?

For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. Habakkuk 2:14 (ESV)

 

 

We are living in a time of fulfilment of this prophecy of Habakkuk. With the increase in the means of communication, there is an increase in the spread of God’s Word throughout the world. 24 hours a day television channels & radio stations & internet sites broadcast messages from the Bible. Magazines, newspapers, posters, etc. carrying the messages of the Bible are printed & circulated in abundance. And as always Bible is the most printed and the most translated book in the world.

Christian materials and programs are produced and disseminated for all age groups - catering from adolescents to adults; in all forms - cartoons to chat shows. We are constantly exposed to the Word of God. But still the Bible cautions us saying that when the earth in filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, there is a possibility that, “You are filled with shame instead of glory.”  (Habakkuk 2:16a)

In the 2nd chapter of Habakkuk the prophet stipulates the characteristics of a man who is filled with shame instead of glory:

• He is proud
• He enlarges his desire
• He is not satisfied and contented
• He gathers & heaps up everything for himself
• He increases what is not his
• He covets evil gain for his house
• He gives shameful counsel
• He sins against his soul
• He destroys other people’s reputation

[Reference - Habakkuk 2:4-17]

To summarise – he is a self-centred person and a one who does not analyse his life with God’s Word.

We need to constantly check our lives and should not take any opportunity light when God’s Word is ministered  to us in any form and through any person. And use every opportunity to check ourselves and internalize the truth. As the Bible says, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” James 1:22 (ESV)

We might be listening to messages from our childhood; from Sunday Schools to Student Camps to Seminars. We might have been in the pew or at the pulpit. If we fail to heed to what we hear and live accordingly, the prophet Habakkuk says “utter shame will be on your glory” (Hab 2:16c). This word cautions us to not be lethargic and immune to exhortations from God’s Word. We need to be always sensitive to the ministry of the Scriptures by the saints and the Spirit.

The adage “Familiarity breeds contempt” could become true to our situation of constant exposure to the Bible scriptures & messages, if we fail to internalize the truths of the Bible that we are exposed to. That is why David says, “How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. Psalm 119:9 (ESV)The NKJV says “By taking heed according to Your word; not by just listening – but by taking heed.

“What use is deeper knowledge if we have shallower hearts?” – Leonard Ravenhill in his book ‘Why Revival Tarries?”

Let our senses always seek God’s word;

Let our thoughts always think over God’s word;

Let our hearts always heed to God’s word;

Let our lives always live God’s word.

Let familiarity to God’s word not breed contempt, rather familiarity to God’s word may bring forth constant change in us!