“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23
‘Just as the Israelites were told of their sin and called
to repentance, the same call is extended to us today. “For all have sinned,
and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
All are guilty of sin, and there is a penalty to pay. “For the wages of sin is
death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord”
(Romans 6:23). In addition, God
provided one who paid the penalty for us — if only we would receive. “But
God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ
died for us” (Romans 5:8). Just as God extended a call to the Israelites,
warning them before judgment would fall, God warns us today. “And as it is
appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). What response does God require? “8.
But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy
heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9. That if thou shalt
confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that
God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10. For with the heart
man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto
salvation” (Romans 10:8–10). What are we to do with that information? “Seek
ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near”
(Isaiah 55:6).’
Have you called upon the Lord while he is near?
Excerpt from The Biblical Path of Life, Year Two Quarter One, Lesson 9; God’s Enduring Love. www.biblicalpath.com
“Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent …” Revelation 3:3a
Do you remember anything you have learned from the Bible? It
is important to daily read God’s Word. If you do not read it, you will not
remember it. Remember is the key word. If we do not remember and hold fast to
what we learn from God’s Word, we will never grow in Christ. The more we learn
about God’s Word, the more we will want to be like Him. By learning the history
in the Bible, we will understand the significance of why things happened. God
had a plan, which is hard to understand unless you learn the Old Testament
history. While it was happening, men did not fully understand what that plan
was, but through faith, they believed. The more we learn, the more pieces of
the puzzle we can fit together. Each piece helps us become better students of
God’s Word, which helps us become better Christians.
For instance, remember the book of Judges. The dominant theme
within the book is this: “In those
days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right
in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25).
Notice that it doesn’t say they did wrong, men thought what they were doing was
right. But also notice this: “And
the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and
forgat the LORD their God, and served Baalim and the groves” (Judges
3:7). Although it didn’t appear wrong to them, it was wrong in God’s eyes. They
did not obey the commands God had given them.
There was a vicious cycle that occurred in Judges:
The people forsook God.
God allowed the enemy to oppress
the people.
The people cried out to God.
God sent a deliverer (a judge) to
end the oppression.
In Judges, the people as a whole rejected God.
But then we remember the book of Ruth. It is a breath of
fresh air in a time of turmoil in the nation of Israel,
for it is a picture of redemption. Ruth was a Gentile (a Moabitess) who lived
in a pagan land. She did not know the true God. When an Israelite family moved
to Moab because
of a drought in Israel,
Ruth married into this family and heard of God. When her husband,
father-in-law, and brother-in-law died, she returned with her mother-in-law to
the land of Israel.
Because she had recognized a light in her dark world, she wanted to follow that
light. She had learned of God and did not want to lose that. Her view is
clearly stated: “16. And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or
to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and
where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy
God my God: 17. Where
thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and
more also, if ought but death part thee and me” (Ruth 1:16-17). It was there after being redeemed by
a kinsman, that she forever became a part of Jesus’ genealogy. She was the
great-grandmother of King David.
One important thing about studying the history in the Bible is to be aware of God’s plan for His people. As we consider what God’s Word says, we should understand how it fits together, much like pieces of a puzzle. As we try to keep in mind and hold fast to the things we learn from God’s Word, it will help us recognize God’s plan for our lives. We must remember what God’s Word says.
“Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” James 4:17
David is one of the most famous men in the Bible. God chose
him when he was young to be the future king of His people. Although King Saul chased
David wanting to kill him, David followed God, and God took care of him.
When David became king, he was a great king. “And all the people took notice of it,
and it pleased them: as whatsoever the king did pleased all the people”
(2 Samuel 3:36). We can read many
places where David “enquired of God.” When David wasn’t sure what God would
have him to do in a situation, he would enquire of God – and God would answer
him. “And David went on, and grew
great, and the LORD God of hosts was with him” (2 Samuel 5:10). The second book of Samuel is all about
David’s kingdom.
Everyone remembers David’s great sin. If you remember, he
wasn’t where he was supposed to be. “And
it came to pass … at the time when kings
go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and
all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But
David tarried still at Jerusalem”
(2 Samuel 11:1). It was at this time that he took Bathsheba, who wasn’t his
wife, and had her husband killed in battle. Although David knew this was
completely wrong in every way, he did it anyway. “And when the mourning was past, David sent and fetched her to his
house, and she became his wife, and bare him a son. But the thing that David
had done displeased the LORD” (2 Samuel 11:27). What made things worse was that after he made
Bathsheba his wife, he continued in life as if nothing was wrong.
God sent Nathan to speak to David. He told King David a story
of man who took a beloved lamb from someone else that did not belong to him and
killed it. After hearing the story, “And
David’s anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As
the LORD liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die”
(2 Samuel 12:5). David recognized that this man had sinned and deserved death.
“And Nathan said to David, Thou art
the man …” (2 Samuel 12:7a). Nathan proceeded to remind King David
just what God had done for him, and his punishment for his great sin. “And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned
against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy
sin; thou shalt not die” (2 Samuel 12:13).
Although there were many consequences for this sin, because David immediately
repented of that sin, God forgave him. David truly had a heart of repentance,
and we can read his prayer to the Lord in Psalm 51.
What more does the Bible tell us about King David? “And when he had removed him, he raised up
unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I
have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which
shall fulfil all my will” (Acts 13:22). Have you ever considered
that it might have been this moment in David’s life that caused God to call him
“a man after mine own heart”
knowing that when David was confronted with his sin, he would immediately
repent? We know, “For all have
sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). However, read what David understood,
long before it was written, “If we
confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to
cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
We can understand that God forgave David. However, see how
great of a forgiveness it was. David wrote Psalm 103, which tells of God’s
great forgiveness. “As far as the
east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us”
(Psalm 103:12)
Remember what else God tells us of King David, “Of this man’s seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus” (Acts 13:23). God sent, through the lineage of David, His only Son who came to die for man’s sin – if only they would come to him in repentance and receive His forgiveness. “6. Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: 7. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon” (Isaiah 55:6-7).
“But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.” Psalm 1:2
We are taught that obeying laws is important and that there
are penalties to be paid if we break them. Consider the importance of laws. We
are to understand that God has laws. His laws are significant, and obedience is
very important to God as we can see throughout His Word, and most notably in
the Old Testament. Often we recognize God’s discipline on those who break His
laws.
The first five books in the Old Testament are referred to as
“The Law.” Within these books we find the first 2,500 years of history recorded
by Moses. The first book, Genesis, begins with the creation, records the ruin
of man through sin, but it also reveals the sovereignty of God. The word sovereignty
means “supreme in power; possessing supreme dominion; as a sovereign ruler of
the universe.” We understand that God is the sovereign God of all who love and
obey Him.
One easy way to remember Genesis and the events within is to
recognize:
Four main events take place:
The Creation
The Fall
The Flood
The Tower
of Babel
Genesis deals mainly with Four People:
Abraham
Isaac
Jacob
Joseph
After about four hundred years, God’s people grew into a
nation numbering around two to three million people in Egypt.
This is where Exodus (which means “the way out” or “outgoing”) begins. At the
culmination of the ten plagues, we see the mighty deliverance of God’s people
from a land of bondage. Shortly after this they meet at the foot of Mount
Sinai. It was at Mount Sinai that the Law
was given (beginning with the Ten Commandments; Exodus 19-20). The Israelites
were taught that obedience to God is necessary. They could not be a redeemed,
set-apart people unless they obeyed God’s command.
In Leviticus, God spoke to Moses from the tabernacle instead
of Mount Sinai. The people needed to know how to live. God
instituted the offerings, the priesthood, a clean lifestyle, and the different
feasts. These things were teach the people how to live as a people wholly given
to God in every aspect of their lives. Leviticus shows the ability to have
fellowship with God when we come to Him as a sanctified people (because He is
holy, and we are a sinful people). Leviticus ends with the blessings of
obedience and the penalties for disobedience. Only about a month’s time passes
during Leviticus.
The name Numbers comes from a numbering of the people at the
beginning of the book and then again at the end. There were two groups of
people, an old generation and a new generation. When the twelve spies were sent
into the land promised to Abraham, only Joshua and Caleb brought back report
that God would allow them to conquer the land. When the Israelites disobeyed
God’s command to cross over into the Promised Land, they were disciplined. The
old generation would die and not enter because they refused to obey God. Only
Joshua and Caleb escaped God’s discipline (wandering in the wilderness for
forty years). Fewer than forty years elapse during Numbers where we see God
guiding, providing, and protecting His people.
Deuteronomy begins by looking back to what God had done for
His people and then looking forward. The entire book shows the faithfulness of
God revealing that God loves His people. Moses warned the people to not forget
the words of God’s Law, revealing the blessings for following God’s Law and the
curse of God if they failed to obey. Joshua is appointed the new leader of the
new generation, and Moses dies.
After remembering the books of “The Law,” see that they help us understand God and what He expects from His people. We also learn that it is quite impossible to obey every law that God has given us. In the New Testament we gain some insight as to why it is important to know “The Law” of the Old Testament. “24. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. 26. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:24-26).
Have you understood “The Law” is a schoolmaster to show the need for Jesus?
“And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” Hebrews 9:27
Have you ever had an appointment that changed the course of
your life? What about a missed opportunity that you can never go back to
correct?
One cannot help but remember an event that took place in the
Bible. Jesus had been teaching the people when a young man came to Him with a
question. “And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and
kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit
eternal life?” (Mark 10:17). This is an important question for
each person to ask. He had the right question. Read Jesus’ reply, “ And
Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but
one, that is, God” (Mark 10:18). Jesus was making a point.
The man recognized Jesus as a great man and a good teacher, but he had not
acknowledged that Jesus was God. That makes all of the difference! Jesus asked
this young man about the commandments (for people understood that God expects
people to obey His commands). Jesus began to list from the Ten Commandments. “Thou
knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do
not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother”
(Mark 10:19). Each of these has to
do with an outward duty as opposed to a change of an inward nature. They deal
with people’s relationship with one another. Do you notice what is missing? The
first four of the Ten Commandments that have to do with one’s relationship with
God are missing. After Jesus had listed the final six of the Ten Commandments,
see the young man’s response, “And he answered and said unto him, Master,
all these have I observed from my youth” (Mark 10:20).
Here we come to the heart of the matter – a time of decision.
Notice that Jesus loved him, but would this young man follow Jesus’
requirement? “Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou
lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou
shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me”
(Mark 10:21). Did this young man truly desire eternal life? Was he willing to
give the temporal things this world has to offer in exchange for a life
pleasing God and eternity with Him? Would he continue as he was, or would he
choose Jesus? Read his response. “And he was sad at that saying, and went
away grieved: for he had great possessions” (Mark 10:22). He was sad, yet he just went away
grieved. He was not willing to part with his possessions for a relationship
with Jesus. Read what Jesus had previously warned: “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love
the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot
serve God and mammon” (Matthew 6:24).
This young man had not understood a very important thing: “24. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to
bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25. But after
that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster” (Galatians 3:24-25).
Remember: “And as it is appointed unto men once to
die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). This young man would be judged according to the
decision he made concerning Jesus.
“My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” 1 John 2:1
“God has
revealed himself gradually through the years. Hebrews 1:1-2a: ‘1.
God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the
fathers by the prophets, 2a. Hath in these last days spoken unto us
by his Son …’ (remember that Hebrews 1:1 refers to the incremental
and progressive manner in which God disclosed Himself up until the appearance
of the Son. It was fragmentary and piece by piece, sort of like pieces of a
puzzle). We see him as the God of creation in Genesis 1. We then see he is a
God who cannot look upon sinful man in Genesis 3. We see that there is a limit
to his tolerance of sinful man in Genesis 6 (the flood that destroys the
world), yet we also see that God shows grace to those who continually seek him
(Noah; Genesis 6:8). God then revealed himself to an individual man (Abraham;
Genesis 12) and extended that revelation to his descendants (Exodus 3:15). God showed Himself mightily to His
people in the ten plagues and the exodus of His people from bondage (Exodus 7–14).
He then showed Himself as their provider (in the wilderness; Exodus 15–17). We
see He is a God who expects His people to hear His voice and obey Him (Exodus
19–20). Once the people accomplish the great task of building a tabernacle
where God’s presence can dwell among His people (Exodus 40), He then reveals
just what it takes to become a “clean and forgiven” people in the presence of a
sinless, perfect God (Leviticus).
God has mandated a blood sacrifice for man’s sins since the
garden. When man sinned, God shed the blood of an animal to make a covering for
man (for he was naked before God; his sins were exposed). When God made the
clothes to “cover” Adam and Eve, it was a great picture of what the Old
Testament sacrifices did for man. They covered mankind’s sins for a season.
Throughout the Old Testament, we see the shedding of blood (from an animal) to
cover mankind’s sins. It isn’t until we come to Leviticus that God reveals the
intricacies and details of the way it is required. The ritualistic sacrifices
(explained in Leviticus) that must be fulfilled, completely and perfectly, are
to show us the great sacrifice it would take to cleanse sinful man from his
sins. It is to reveal to mankind the impossibility of entering into God’s
presence without the perfect
sacrifice, only found in Jesus. All throughout the books of the Law we see God
gradually reveal Himself to mankind, only a piece at a time, through revelation—only
as much as we could handle.”
“And he (Jesus) is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:2). The word propitiation means “the means of putting away sin and establishing righteousness not by man’s ability to appease God with an of his offerings, (for man is unable to offer anything to placate God), Jesus is presented as the righteous One; … reconciling us to God, allowing us to be acceptable for fellowship with God (see also Romans 3:25). The propitiation of Christ is very personal – the propitiation for our sins.”
Have you asked Jesus to be your Advocate with God, the Father?
“This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein …” Joshua 1:8
It is important to know that all of God’s Word is essential.
“All scripture is given by
inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for
correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:15). Not only is it important to know what
it says, but it is even more important to understand
what it says.
An easy way to begin understanding the Bible is to become
familiar with it. The history in the Old Testament is very important to further
one’s understanding of the Bible as a whole. In Joshua 1:8 we can read that not
only is the book of the law to not depart out of one’s mouth, but it is
important to meditate upon it day and night. Meditate means “to dwell
on any thing in thought; to contemplate; to study; to turn or revolve any
subject in the mind.” This is an important thing to understand as one learns to
read the Bible. Reading the Bible involves much more than just reading a few
verses or chapters and then continuing on with one’s day. Reading God’s Word
involves meditating on it – to dwell on it in one’s thoughts, contemplating
what it says. Although we can understand that this verse in Joshua is initially
referring to the first five books in the Bible (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus,
Numbers, and Deuteronomy), the importance of knowing God’s Word does not end
there. Remember that all of God’s Word is important!
If one would just recognize that the Bible is very organized
it would make it much easier to understand. For instance, the Old Testament has
thirty-nine books easily broken into five groups. The first five books are
called the “Law” where we can find the first 2,500 years of history and witness
God actively involved in the lives of mankind. The second group consists of the
next twelve books, often called “History”, where we pick up the history of the Israelites
at the brink of the Promised Land, prepared to enter. The first nine books of
History record the years in which the Jewish people occupy the land
of Israel. This not only includes
the times of the judges (when the people forgot God), the times of the kings
(when the people rejected God as their king), but also the captivity of God’s
people. The last three books of History reveal the remnant of Israelites that
were allowed to return to the Promised Land, also known as Israel.
There are five books in the middle that can be considered
“Personal Books”, for they deal with individual’s experiences with God and are
very personal. These books deal with individuals’ heart issues as they seek to
know and better understand God. These are Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes,
and Song of Solomon. The “Major Prophets” are the next five books, and the
“Minor Prophets” are the final twelve books. Understanding the timeframe these
Personal Books, Major Prophets, and Minor Prophets take place are imperative in
the understanding of the Old Testament as a whole.
The New Testament is organized as well for the ease of
understanding.
Reading, learning,
and understanding the Bible is the most important thing a Christian can do.
Although many people are taught a lot of Bible “stories” as a child,
understanding that these were real people and that God worked in these
individuals’ lives will make these events invaluable! Remember some words with
which Paul encouraged Timothy. “14. But
continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of,
knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 15. And that from a child thou
hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation
through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16. All scripture is given by
inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for
correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17. That the man of God may be
perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:14-17).
Have you taken time to become familiar with God’s Word?
Do you meditate (dwell on in thought, contemplate, and study) upon a portion of the Bible every day?
“Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.” 1 Corinthians 10:11
After reading 1 Corinthians 10:11, one can
understand that God’s Word was written for us. In the Bible, we find examples
of how we are to live our lives and to show us a picture of God’s plan. We are
to learn from what is written in His Word. Each Bible “story” we have learned
through the years is just a piece of the “puzzle” to complete the picture of
God’s plan. History may appear boring, but we must understand how fascinating,
and especially important, it is to be in our lives.
Because the history found in the Bible is so
important, we should desire to know that history – just like Peter, Stephen,
and Paul knew it. We are to understand that history is there to help us better
understand and know Jesus. The more we read in God’s Word, the more we begin to
understand that God had a plan. In the Old Testament, men didn’t fully
understand what that plan was, but through faith they believed. In the New
Testament, God’s plan was revealed through His Son, Jesus. Men still didn’t
understand until Jesus died, resurrected and ascended into heaven. But once
they understood, they could not keep silent. They shared what they learned with
others so they could know of God’s wonderful plan as well.
After Jesus ascended back into heaven with the promise to
return, Peter preached the Old Testament history. He had a new understanding of
who Jesus was ,why He had come, and that He would return one day. And what an
amazing response he received! Three thousand believed! And when he preached
again shortly thereafter, five thousand believed!
But there was another man named Stephen who preached the same
history, and he found a very different response to his message. The religious
leaders stoned him to death. There was one specific young man who consented to
Stephen’s death. His name was Saul. His initial response to the Gospel message
of Jesus was to seek out anyone who believed in Jesus and imprison or even kill
them.
He made a special trip to find anyone, man or woman, who
believed in Jesus. But on his way, he met Jesus. There was quite a
transformation in his life. Instead of wanting to kill those who believed in
Jesus, Saul (later called Paul) became a mighty preacher, and teacher, of the
history revealing Jesus.
Each of these men came to the understanding that all of the
Old Testament teachings were just pieces of a great picture. As they began to
contemplate the truths they had learned, they realized that they revealed the
picture of God’s plan to send Jesus into the world to take away their sin – if
they would only believe and receive Him.
Have you ever worked on a puzzle? Each piece is only part of
a greater picture. The picture is not complete without all of the pieces. You
could guess what the picture was going to be, but you wouldn’t completely know
without the final pieces. Once you put all of the pieces together, you can see
that greater picture. But when you are missing a piece, the picture is
incomplete. This is much like knowing some of the events of the Old Testament
and missing pieces of it. You cannot see the complete picture without reading
and learning all of the events in that Old Testament text. Throughout history,
people would try to understand what God was showing them. They trusted that He
held all of the pieces and would fit them into place in His own time. Once
Jesus came, many understood that all of the Old Testament was recorded for us
to understand God’s plan to send His Son, Jesus, into the world to redeem a
sinful people back to Himself. He wants us to understand this plan so that we
will know just how important it is to place our lives into God’s hand by trusting
in Jesus.
Do you enjoy doing a puzzle that doesn’t have all of the pieces?
Have you ever been so excited about Jesus that you shared with others what you have learned so they could know of God’s wonderful plan as well?
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28
Have you ever had something bad happen to you? According to
Romans 8:28, if we are Christians (have Jesus in our hearts and lives), and are
living according to God’s Word doing what God wants us to do with our lives,
everything will work out for good – even if it seems like something bad at the
time. There is a great picture of this lived out in the life of Elijah. Even
when the king and queen wanted Elijah dead, God provided for him and took care
of him.
In Elijah’s day, the nation of Israel
had already divided into two kingdoms, Israel
and Judah. The kingdom
of Israel never had a good king.
The worst was King Ahab. God called Elijah to speak to wicked King Ahab. God
sent Elijah to tell the king there would be no rain in the land; and there was
a drought for over three years. God provided for Elijah during the drought. He
sent Elijah to the brook Cherith where he had water. God sent ravens to bring
him food. When the brook dried up, God sent him to Zarephath where a widow
woman took care of him until the end of the drought. After over three years,
God sent Elijah back to King Ahab with a great challenge. Elijah told him to
have all of Israel
to meet on top of Mount Carmel. He called for a decision
from the people. Choose who the true God is. After Elijah’s great victory when
fire fell from heaven and consumed his offering, the people declared, “The Lord,
He is the God.” Because Elijah had all of the false prophets killed, Queen
Jezebel, Ahab’s wicked wife, wanted him dead. Elijah ran for his life. We learn
that God had not forgotten Elijah, for He showed Himself to Elijah in a still
small voice. Elijah thought he was the last one who loved and served God. But
God told him that there seven thousand others that had not served the false
gods. Therefore, Elijah was not alone. However, more than this reassurance, he
gave Elijah a helper – Elisha. Through all of this, we can learn that even
though the nation as a whole had forsaken God and turned to idol worship, there
were still those who had not forsaken God. Elijah was a great example of God
providing for one who was willing to give his life wholly to serve God, obeying
His every command. We should remember the encouragement God gave to Elijah when
he was greatly discouraged – and even fearful for his life (see 1 Kings 17-20).
Remember Romans 8:28: “And we know
that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are
the called according to his purpose.” Especially that all
things will work together for good if one is living the life God
would have them to live. It is important to trust that God will provide for our
every need.
During days where there are trying times and all seems to be
going wrong, stop and look at your heart and life. Seek God to see if you are
where you should be, doing what you should be doing. If you seek Him with all
of your heart, you can find Him. “11.
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of
peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. 12. Then shall ye
call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto
you. 13. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search
for me with all your heart. 14. And I will be found of you, saith the LORD …”
(Jeremiah 29: 11-14a).
If we will obey God, God will provide for us and take care of us – no matter what.
Are you living for God, trusting that He will work all things together for good?
A “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.” John 1:3
Have you ever stopped to think about God’s creation? Have you
ever thought, “What is the greatest thing God created?” There are so many
wonderful and beautiful things that God made. Picture the mountains, beautiful
sunsets, the ocean, a full moon as it rises, and so many other amazing things
in God’s creation. But have you ever considered that the greatest thing God
created was you? There are a few things we can find in God’s Word that brings
us to this conclusion.
Remember first that God created the world in six days. At the
end of the first five days, God declared that it was good. Even on the sixth
day after God created all of the animals and everything that creeps on the
earth, God declared that it was good. But on that sixth day there was a special
creation. “26. And God said, Let us make
man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish
of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the
earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 27. So God
created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male
and female created he them” (Genesis 1:26-27).
God made man in His image; a man and a woman. After this, we find that God
declared that his creation was “very good.”
God created man perfect, without sin. He made man with the
intent that they would be “holy and without blame” (see Ephesians 1:4). But
more than that, God created man to have fellowship with Him. “For we are his workmanship, created in
Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should
walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).
He wanted to walk with us.
As we read Genesis chapter three, we find
that Adam and Eve disobeyed God when Eve was beguiled by Satan, bringing sin
into the word which caused separation from God for all of mankind. This meant
that man could no longer fellowship with God as before because of this separation
(remembering that before this they had walked and talked with God in the
garden). Even though man failed greatly, God promised One would come to bridge the gap between sinful man and God
(see the first promise of this in Genesis 3:15)
which would restore that fellowship. Although Adam and Eve did not know who
that One was, they believed God’s Word.
Throughout the Old Testament, there were many
who watched for that One promised by God to come. Jesus, God’s only Son, came
into the world for me (and you). He came so that I could have the opportunity
to fellowship with God again – if only I would believe. “Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and
purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works” (Titus 2:14).
When Jesus came, He came to destroy the work of Satan. “He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the
beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might
destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8).
God made each and every one
of us. If one would take time to read Psalm 139:1-18, they could understand
that even King David understood just how special each person created by God is.
One of the most important things that each person should understand is that God
created me. He made me a unique individual. And God created me to have fellowship with Him. God has
a plan for me. But because of sin
that separated man from God, each person must trust Jesus to reconcile them,
restoring that relationship.
Sadly, there are few people in the world today that truly understand their worth in God’s eyes. By remembering the importance of each person, and the great love God has for them in the sending of His only Son, Jesus, to bring them back to Him, we can once again understand the importance on our part to receive the great gift God has made available to us.
