For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. (Romans 5:4, NIV)
Everything in the Scriptures was written to teach us. Everything. Every story, every historical detail, every psalm, every proverb, every word.
It was written to teach us. To teach me and every single person who has opened the Bible and will open the Bible. It is personal.
So that we might have hope. So that we may know Jesus.
It’s no wonder so many proverbs are written about learning. We are advised to gain wisdom, knowledge, understanding, and discernment. A few from today’s reading:
How much better to get wisdom than gold, to choose understanding rather than silver! (Proverbs 16:16)
The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge; the ears of the wise seek it out. (Proverbs 18:15)
Every time I open my Bible, I learn something new about the God of hope. I interact with Him as I study and ask Him to reveal Himself to me. The more I learn about Him, the more I want to learn. The more I understand His character, the deeper I grow in my love for Him.
I know, however, that Scripture alone is not the source my hope. God is the source of my hope. And this hope is provided by the power of the Holy Spirit.
As I open myself and allow God to teach me through the Scriptures, I pray Romans 15:13:
Heavenly Father, You are the God of hope. Fill me with all joy and peace as I learn to trust in You, so that I may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen
Sixty-six books in a year 