Have you ever picked up a book that was written years ago and read it? Pilgrim’s Progress, which has been translated into 200 languages and has never been out of print, War and Peace, or The Tale of Peter Rabbit which sold 45 million copies are just three examples of classics you may have read.
Our biases impact the way we view our world. Reading old classics helps us see and understand the world with a set of eyes different from our own. Isn’t it amazing how something written years ago can help us gain insight into the present!
Something that was written long ago does not mean it is irrelevant for today. Certain ideals, values, hopes and dreams are greater than time. Endurance, kindness, gentleness, self-control, compassion are virtues that are not confined to one generation.
I don’t know how long it has been since you last read from the Old Testament. Just the word “Old” seems to make us believe that it is irrelevant for today. The same God that wrote the New Testament to teach us and encourage us, wrote the Old Testament for similar reasons. The Apostle Paul encourages us to read the entire Bible. Both the Old and the New bless us and give us hope.
Please take a moment and read Psalm 34 and you will understand what I mean. It was written three thousand years ago!
“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
I love your blog and the powerful scriptures you shared. What you say is so very true, knowing God and his word personally is so powerful he brings peace when everything around us seems to be in turmoil, I find much strength encouragement and leading when I read God’s word and talk to him in prayer, I can’t imagine what my life would be like without God and his peace truth and council in my life…. God bless you Pastor Paul for sharing and caring.
Thank you for your comments Right on!