Throughout the many years that most of us attended school, there were always tests. The grades that we were given at the end of each one, said many things; to us, to those around us, and to our parents. In most cases, a low grade or a failing grade, usually meant one thing; we had not studied; or at least, not enough. Studying, is something we have done all of our lives; the more we did it, the better prepared we were and the better grades we took home. A record, showed when we did less.

And there was what we called, home-work. Another important part of our record and grade, was how often we did this work; or how many times we didn’t do it. The teacher, and actually all of the other students in our class, also knew if we had not done our home-work. We showed up to class; unprepared for the lesson that was to be taught. Have you ever tried to give a book report, like we used to have to do, when you had not read the book? Our final exam grades, always reflected how studious, we had been.

I’d like to share something I learned recently. Do you recognize this scriptural comment: “I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude,” Genesis 16:10? I know what many will likely answer; that God, was talking to Abraham. But not in this case. Because, He was talking to Hagar. She had run away before the child was born, because her mistress, had treated her harshly, and she was afraid of her. She went back, to have the child. She had to leave again after Isaac was weaned; her son, was thirteen then.

This patriarch we talk so much of, was very grieved over this. He loved his first born very much. “And the thing was very grievous in Abraham’s sight, because of his son.” A promise was made to the boy’s mother, and to his father. In quotes, “And also of the son of the bondwoman will I make a nation, because he is thy seed.” It seems very clear today, that many of us have often, only repeated, what we were told; we didn’t study it for ourselves. Even on this medium, you can tell how much people have actually studied. It’s by the way they say things; how they try to bring their point across.

The Spirit, is revealing things now; and He will do even more in the days ahead. Our prayer life, our true desire to follow the leading of the Spirit, our pattern of studying, our yearning for Him to open our understanding, will direct and guide, what we believe now. There are some things, that are not as we were told. There’s no deceit or trickery in this message; it’s simply, that the Holy Ghost, has more to teach. Too many, are talking about things, they know very little about; still repeating a limited version, of what someone else said. They are not approved unto God. They haven’t studied enough.

~ Robert Blackburn

Robert Blackburn