Thursday
Read – 2 Timothy 2:1-2, Romans 15:1-5
SOAP – Romans 15:4
For everything that was written in former times was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and through encouragement of the scriptures we may have hope.
In this verse, Paul clarifies for us why the entire Bible was written. It was for our instruction; to encourage us to be faithful and endure and, ultimately, to give us hope!
God’s book has it all. Job lost his job, his possessions and all of his children, yet God preserved his life, and restored him and blessed him. Daniel was betrayed by co-workers and thrown into the lions’ den, and survived. Joseph was betrayed by his own brothers and sold as a slave, but God used his experience for good. Paul wrote many of his letters while he unjustly sat in jail. Jesus, was accused of crimes He didn’t commit and crucified next to criminals on a cross.
One of my favorite professors used to say, “God’s faithfulness in the past is a model and a promise of His faithfulness in the future. But He’s too creative to do the same thing the same way twice.” Scripture is full of stories and people who persevered through trials and prevailed. Not based on their own strength, but on His!
Lord, when I am downhearted and discouraged, help me to pick up Your Word and be reminded of Your faithfulness in the past. You are a good God, and the things written in Your Word give me hope as I look toward the day when You will come again and wipe away every tear. Amen.