Ageless

A common dismissal of the Bible asserts that this is an ancient and therefore irrelevant book, behind the times and totally outdated. Those who say such things point to the culture and era it was written in, and totally miss the enduring and everlasting promises of God. These promises are as needed today as they were then, maybe even more so.

As I watch the news and see so much violence and injustice, my heart cries for righteousness. As I see the hunger and poverty and know that as one person I cannot make a dent in the pattern of starvation and needs of millions, my heart also longs that all who suffer could know the care that God promises.

God is faithful and just toward His people. He was way back when and He is now. He is an eternal God, not just for ancient Israel or for those few whose hearts are set to love and trust Him. 

Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who delight in them. Full of splendor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever. He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered; the LORD is gracious and merciful. He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever. He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them the inheritance of the nations. The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy; they are established forever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness. He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is his name! (Psalm 111:2–9)

His righteousness endures forever. He remembers His covenant forever. The works of His hands and His precepts are established forever. He has commanded His covenant to last forever.

The people of Bible times did not have airplanes, microscopes, skyscrapers or television. They knew nothing about i-pods, smart phones, Internet or laparoscopic surgery. But those who knew and believed and served God did so because He made promises and kept them. Culture, ancient or modern, does not affect who God is.

Further, when His people sinned, He forgave them. Have we outgrown that? Those who trusted Him and obeyed Him had peace in their hearts. They knew they were sinful, but they also knew that they were forgiven, that their God was just and hated sin, but He was also merciful. He told them . . . 

For I the LORD do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed. (Malachi 3:6)

Old fashioned? Is sin still an issue? Or have we evolved to be better, kinder, more upright as a human race? Have we outgrown the need for forgiveness and mercy? Has our need for peace been replaced by prosperity and universal well-being?

Those who think that faith, God and the promises He makes are outdated have closed their eyes to far more than the ageless message of mercy and grace; they have also become blind to their need of it, to our need of it. God has not changed, but we still need change. We still need His grace in our lives because without it, we are left with the reality of becoming consumed by our selfishness.

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Lord, I feel the burden of Paul when he lamented that his people were ignorant of Your righteousness. I ache inside when those I love make fun of You and Your goodness.  I want them to see the awesome wonder of Your unchanging and everlasting love for them. So many have made up their minds that You, the eternal One, are no longer are alive or that You have no place in this world or in their lives. Yet Your promises are forever, Your love is everlasting and You are the same yesterday, today and for all eternity. I also flounder and feel helpless to say the words or be sufficient in my witness to the reality of You. I too need Your everlasting grace to make known the everlasting wonder of You and Your love.