For Our Learning

Romans 15:4 - For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.

YES! Oh, how the Word of God is so true. How we have read about the ancient people of Israel, their relationship with God, their salvation, their reliance on Him...and then their rebellion. We can see all throughout the Old Testament how Israel always needed deliverance out of the hands of their enemies...Egypt, Babylon, Assyria. We are even told how they were scattered among all the nations. Multiple deliverances.

In the New Testament, however, there is only the need for one deliverance...not just for the Jews but for all mankind. His name is Jesus.

The Word is to be our example of how life should be lived. God brings judgment upon people when there is disobedience against Him. He also delivers when we call upon Him. When we, who are in sin, are rebellious against God, we face the consequences of our sin. But our God realizes this and He makes provision for us to be delivered as individuals. He will do this for a nation as well...and the world. Just like Old Testament Israel, they were allowed to spend some time in captivity until they realized their need for deliverance, on more than one occasion. When all hope was lost and they realized their sin, that of rebellion against their God, and when they called on Him to help them, He returned.

I see this today in our world. In our own nation. We are in our own captivity...fear of the future. When will we learn? Why do we reject God or why don't we take Him seriously? Why don't we believe He will reap havoc before He returns? Why don't we want to hear? Why is His name offensive?

Yes, God is love. That is why He allows us to experience times of anguish and hopelessness. It's to draw us to Him so He can deliver us. Only He is able to do these things. And only He is able to bring us out of our circumstances. And how He desires to do this.

All the things in this world that we see as destructive--wars, earth's disasters, crime, drugs, murder (including abortions and euthanasia among humans)--only bring curses. Has any of these brought good things? All, as far as I can determine, have brought one thing--death. Death to innocents as well as tyrants. No one is exempt. If these things would stop, God would end His judgment upon the world. We would be blessed.

There is coming a day when we will see the hand of God upon us for the decisions we've made that go against His will. We will not go unpunished. The days ahead are not looking so rosy. I think more and more people are beginning to realize this. And I thank God for that. The more people whose eyes are opened, the more may turn their eyes to the heavens and begin to search out the God who created all things. More will be ready to listen to those who know God and trust in Him. It's God's way. He desires that none should perish and He's being patient. But how long will that patience last? In time He will say He's had enough and the plans will be made to send Jesus back to fight the enemy and bring peace to this world. Those who are for Him will live a life of everlasting peace. Those are against Him and continue to resist will live in everlasting misery.

Hey, this all sounds pretty gloomy, but there is always that ray of Light that shines to show the way. That Light is Jesus Christ. It's never too late to search Him out. He is the hope of the future, not a man. not a government, not a world power. Tyrants, evil, power hungry people will not bring peace. Some people's eyes may be blinded by the lies, but not I.

I'm so thankful that I know the plans God has...not just for me but for this world. I'm thankful that what I see happening in the world does not totally frighten me. Yes, these are anxious days. But it's the very end that I view, beyond the world's system and into God's system. I'm not going to say I will never feel uncomfortable, but the trials we go through here on earth are nothing compared to the reward we will receive in Heaven if we follow One to the very end.

Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Revelation 2:10, Matthew 5:11-12, Romans 15:13)