The Scriptures Give us Hope

Some Christians teach that the Old Testament is not relevant for believers in Jesus. They say it has no purpose and was written only for the Jews. They focus solely on the New Testament and exclude the rest of the Bible. Paul is stating that all of the writings that we call the Old Testament were written for our learning. They were inspired by God, and they are relevant to teach us spiritual truth. We must remember that at the time Paul wrote his letter to the church in Rome, the Old Testament was the only scripture that he had. There is purpose in these Scriptures. They too were inspired by the Holy Spirit.

Paul writes that through them we are comforted and have hope. If you’ve ever been in a desperate situation, nothing will speak to you like the Psalms of David. Psalms 23 assures us that we have a Shepherd who loves us and provides abundantly for us. Psalms 27 urges us to hope that we’ll someday have hope again when all seems lost. Years ago, I suffered a great betrayal in my business. I had brought in two younger colleagues over the years and had given them an opportunity to become minority owners in the business.  In time, they wanted it all. They threatened to open up across the street as my competitors if I didn’t relinquish control and ownership to them. The mental anguish and agony that I suffered were beyond description. Several years after all of that came crashing down, I opened my Bible and began reading through the Book of Genesis. 

When I came to the story of Joseph and his brothers, it spoke to me in a way it had never done before. I was in the story. I was there. I felt each and every pain that Joseph experienced as he was sold into slavery, and, after being falsely accused by Potipher’s wife, he was thrown into prison. Things seemed hopeless. I don’t remember the point in the story when it happened, but as I read of his betrayal by those whom he loved and trusted, tears began to flow down my cheeks, and they spattered on the pages of my old goat-skinned-covered Bible that I had received from my mom and dad for Christmas in 1972. As I wept, my spirit lifted. There was a pain deep within my soul that came up out of me, and it poured out onto the pages of that old Bible. As Paul said, the “comfort of the scriptures brought me hope.” Reader, those stories and accounts are still there waiting to comfort you. Bring your pain to Jesus. Pour out your soul before the God in heaven who has counted and collected each and every tear that you’ve ever shed. As you are comforted, forgive those who have wronged you and move on. The words in those ancient Scriptures hold truths and instruction from the God who created you, loves you, and wants to direct you.