Depth – Part 2

“It is not length of life, but depth of life” – Ralph Waldo Emerson. In  context, when we talk about the depth of something, we are actually referring to the quality substance and strength of a thing. Watch this, to get into the depth of anything would require sustainability, intensity and constancy in doing something. And the most fitting Biblical text to help us further  is Romans 11:33 (NASB) which says, “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God, and how unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways.” And before we delve into juicing out the truth contained in the verse of scripture above, I want to say, it would be incomplete to talk about depth alone without mentioning the word shallow. So here is what I have to say, one either has depths shallow, which one is it? The more reason why I encourage you to keep reading and searching the scriptures.  Listen to this beautiful quote which sums to an extent what I am trying to say, “My heart has no desire to stay where doubts arise and fears dismay; though some may dwell where these abound, my prayer, my aim, is higher ground.”A. W. Tozer.  In other words, a person with depth aims for the higher ground or the higher life, whilst the shallow person’s heart embraces doubts and fears which is the lower life.

Let us get right into the verse, “Oh the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God.” So here we see the word depth is qualified and associated to the riches of God’s wisdom and knowledge of God, Selah (pause and calmly think). Consequently, saying to you and I depth should be concentrated on the riches of Gods’s wisdom and knowledge. Well, I might be hearing you say, what about depth in other aspects of life. Quite true, however, once we get our depths right and according to the Bible which says, “People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. STEEP your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.” Read Matthew 6:33 (MSG). There is an order and a priority in the way things ought to be done, meaning God first, then other things come afterwards.

Watch this, when our depth (strength, focus and substance) is concentrated on the riches of God’s wisdom and knowledge which by the way can’t be achieved through a slack hand, but by continuous digging and consistency; only then would we be able to appreciate the vastness of God’s exceedingly abundant grace, mercy and favor. Listen to this beloved, the Bible says, “But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.” Read 1 Corinthians 1:30 (KJV). Listen to this, the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God are unsearchable; in other words, one can’t fully comprehend the vastness of God’s operation, but that is not to say we should not keep digging or searching through the scriptures for present day truth. The more we embed ourselves in the word, the deeper we get and our roots become even more planted on the solid rock of God’s word.

When Paul and Silas were in prison, and the Holy Spirit miraculously set them free; listen to what the jailor said to Paul, “What shall I do to be saved?” Read Acts 16:30. In like manner, the same question applies to you and I, “What shall we do to be a people of depth?” Oh, I am as eager to know and to show you from the scriptures how we can successfully achieve this.

• You must be Born Again
  • Jesus answered him, “…I assure you and most solemnly say to you, unless a person is born again [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, sanctified], he cannot [ever] see and experience the kingdom of God.” Read John 3:3 (AMP). You might be asking why should I be born again, and my simple response is the Bible says, “YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN.” 

• You must have a Bible
  • The Bible says, “All Scripture is God-breathed [given by divine inspiration] and is profitable for instruction, for conviction [of sin], for correction [of error and restoration to obedience], for training in righteousness [learning to live in conformity to God’s will, both publicly and privately—behaving honorably with personal integrity and moral courage]; ¹⁷ so that the man of God may be complete and proficient, outfitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.” Read 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (AMP). Think with me for a moment, every laptop is bundled with an operating system for it to function, and in like manner the Christian is bundled with the Bible; since the Bible is God’s first primary way of communication.

This can only get better, therefore, I encourage you to look out for our next post.

We write. You read. Be encouraged.