I cannot tell you how excited I am to once again have a regular place to share treasures out of God's Word. Their number is impossible to count. Even after a lifetime of mining God's word, I am constantly finding new gems. The supply is inexhaustible. But now that I've said mining God's word, I regret it. Because it makes it sound as though we have to dig to find the treasure. But we don't. It's there when our hearts are open to him. He loves to shed his grace on us by sharing his treasure with us.
Perhaps a better illustration is walking down a familiar road. The Word of God is that familiar road; regardless of how long we walk it, or how many times we revisit the same paths, we will find new gems ... Gems that God has placed there to encourage us, to correct us, to teach us, to strengthen us, to grow us. All for His purposes: His glory and our good.
Many people look at the Bible as a series of 66 stories, separate but somehow contributing to a whole. I myself have held to that view in the past. But that is wrong. The Bible is not a series of 66 stories, but one story with a very clear beginning and a very clear end. The stories within those 66 books are subplots but in all of them we see the character of God displayed, the nature of man revealed, and the purpose of everything that has ever been created. From Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21 we have the story of the ages.
In Genesis we see the creation of the heavens and the earth; in Revelation we see the creation of the new heavens and the new earth. In Genesis we see the first Adam reigning on earth; in Revelation we see the last Adam, Jesus, reigning in glory. In Genesis we see an earthly bride brought to the first Adam; in Revelation we see a heavenly bride brought to the last Adam. In Genesis we see death and the curse begin; in Revelation we see death and the curse destroyed. In Genesis we see Satan appear for the first time; in Revelation we see Satan appear for the last time. In Genesis we see Satan's doom prophesied; in Revelation we see Satan's doom realized. In Genesis man begins a natural existence; in Revelation man begins a supernatural existence. In Genesis we see Paradise Lost; in Revelation we see Paradise regained. In Genesis we see sin enter existence; in Revelation we see sin destroyed. In Genesis we see man driven from God's face; in Revelation we see man brought before God's face. In Genesis we see man lose everything that he has been given; in Revelation we see God restore everything that man lost. In Genesis we see God no longer dwelling with man; in Revelation we see God dwelling with man forever.
You see, everything that began in the beginning of the story is neatly wrapped up at the end. There are no loose ends, no hanging subplots, no unresolved issues. It is the perfect story. And what happens between the beginning and the end is a vital importance to all of us, for in understanding it we secure for ourselves rich rewards forever, in heaven. And that is what God has called me to do as a pastor-- help reveal the treasures of His Word to His people whom He loves so much.
I don't know when I'll be posting the next article from my study, but I promise it will be soon. And it will be a real treasure, as we discover that God has revealed the entire story of salvation, sanctification and glorification through the pen of King David. So keep watching.
May God bless each one of you with a deep hunger for His Word ... and an understanding of it. As always, if you have any comments or questions please send me a private message and I will respond.
Perhaps a better illustration is walking down a familiar road. The Word of God is that familiar road; regardless of how long we walk it, or how many times we revisit the same paths, we will find new gems ... Gems that God has placed there to encourage us, to correct us, to teach us, to strengthen us, to grow us. All for His purposes: His glory and our good.
Many people look at the Bible as a series of 66 stories, separate but somehow contributing to a whole. I myself have held to that view in the past. But that is wrong. The Bible is not a series of 66 stories, but one story with a very clear beginning and a very clear end. The stories within those 66 books are subplots but in all of them we see the character of God displayed, the nature of man revealed, and the purpose of everything that has ever been created. From Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21 we have the story of the ages.
In Genesis we see the creation of the heavens and the earth; in Revelation we see the creation of the new heavens and the new earth. In Genesis we see the first Adam reigning on earth; in Revelation we see the last Adam, Jesus, reigning in glory. In Genesis we see an earthly bride brought to the first Adam; in Revelation we see a heavenly bride brought to the last Adam. In Genesis we see death and the curse begin; in Revelation we see death and the curse destroyed. In Genesis we see Satan appear for the first time; in Revelation we see Satan appear for the last time. In Genesis we see Satan's doom prophesied; in Revelation we see Satan's doom realized. In Genesis man begins a natural existence; in Revelation man begins a supernatural existence. In Genesis we see Paradise Lost; in Revelation we see Paradise regained. In Genesis we see sin enter existence; in Revelation we see sin destroyed. In Genesis we see man driven from God's face; in Revelation we see man brought before God's face. In Genesis we see man lose everything that he has been given; in Revelation we see God restore everything that man lost. In Genesis we see God no longer dwelling with man; in Revelation we see God dwelling with man forever.
You see, everything that began in the beginning of the story is neatly wrapped up at the end. There are no loose ends, no hanging subplots, no unresolved issues. It is the perfect story. And what happens between the beginning and the end is a vital importance to all of us, for in understanding it we secure for ourselves rich rewards forever, in heaven. And that is what God has called me to do as a pastor-- help reveal the treasures of His Word to His people whom He loves so much.
I don't know when I'll be posting the next article from my study, but I promise it will be soon. And it will be a real treasure, as we discover that God has revealed the entire story of salvation, sanctification and glorification through the pen of King David. So keep watching.
May God bless each one of you with a deep hunger for His Word ... and an understanding of it. As always, if you have any comments or questions please send me a private message and I will respond.
