History 101!

For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. Romans 15:4 NIV

Of what use is biblical history? It's not as if the stories in the bible are of perfect, worthy people. In it, you read of murders, hatred and generational curses. You hear of marital unfaithfulness and godlessness. But you also read of men who walked with God the best way they knew how to, and we read of the amazing lives they lived. Any historian, particularly anyone who wanted you to see him/her in a positive light would only highlight the good stories and leave out the worst. Welcome to God's own version of History 101.

With God, nothing is lost. He uses anything and everything to teach us life lessons. Today's extract says EVERYTHING that has been written down is to teach us lessons in endurance and hope. How does this apply? There are a lot but let's look at David, called by God as 'a man after my heart'. A man who enjoyed so much of God's blessings, yet went into adultery, murder and cover up. God forgave him when he repented, but he punished him severally. When I am tempted to think God and I have a special relationship, it must push me to be very careful about sin. It does not matter in who it is found; even his son Jesus was rejected as he bore the sins of the world by his blood.

I look at Abraham, who we clearly the father of faith today. You think it was easy to obey the call to offer his son? You think he didn't wonder as he took that 3-day journey whether this was right? But he went on, and today he is a reference for faith, even when nothing is logical or reasonable. The lives of these two men are just a few of the many lessons God would have me learn. All of them reached the end of their lives, confident that they had known, met and related with a God who kept them in his eternal view, and brought them through a relationship with him that would last into eternity.

First, I must understand that relationship with God is key. It is fundamental that I see all my experiences in the light of my walk with him. As I walk with him, he teaches me patience and perseverance. Even when I go wrong, he does not reject me, but he will do all he can to restore me to himself. Secondly, this relationship wasn't meant to end down here. It is built to last into eternity. Every experience, good or 'bad', has been carefully constructed to lead me on that eternal journey. Every word of hope and encouragement, warning and discipline spoken by God to these two men, are words that apply to me today.

Would I respond as God seeks to lead me to eternal rest? Note that even with all David did, his name is mentioned in God's hall of faith. It is never about what I do but about who I know. Even when I stumble and fall, he promises that as long as I return, he will take me back. I do not encourage wilful sin, but as long as I know I have done wrong and I return to God, he will take me, clean me up and set me on the path of eternal life. That's the whole essence of hope, that come what may down here, my hope is built on someone stronger. That's me; what of you? His time of favour is here.