For all those words which were written long ago are meant to teach us today; that when we read in the Scriptures of the endurance of men and of all the help that God gave them in those days, we may be encouraged to go on hoping in our own time. (Romans 15:4 Phillips)

Why did God give us the Bible? Because it is profitable for teaching, reproof, correction and training in righteousness (see 2 Tim. 3). Because it is living and active. It sees right inside of us, judging the thoughts and intentions of our hearts. It leaves us exposed before the one to whom we will give an account of our lives (see Heb. 4; 9:27). It also shows us the way to salvation from our sin. As the Westminster Confession of Faith puts it: “Those things which are necessary to be known, believed, and observed, for salvation, are so clearly propounded and opened in some place of Scripture or other, that not only the learned, but the unlearned, in a due use of the ordinary means, may attain sufficient understanding of them” (1-7).

Scripture is a light unto my path. We may hide it in our hearts so that we may not sin against God. It contains the wondrous things of God’s law (see Psalm 119). It is sweet like honey for the soul. God’s word makes one wise, joyful, and reverent for God (see Ps. 19). And friends, all these words were written when the “Bible” was the Old Testament. The New Testament was still being written. And so we have Romans 15:4.

The stories of the Old Testament, not to mention the law, poetry, and prophecy, were preserved for our endurance and encouragement. As I prepare to preach on the final chapter of Daniel, Paul’s words to the Roman Christians have been ringing in my ears. Daniel’s three friends had endured the fiery furnace in their commitment to the second commandment. Daniel had faced the lions in his commitment to the first commandment. At the end of his life, Daniel was told of the coming persecutions of God’s faithful remnant. Yet Daniel was given remarkable words from God through his angelic messenger: “As for you, go your way until the end. You will rest, and then at the end of the days, you will rise again to receive the inheritance set aside for you.” (Daniel 12:13 NLT).

We must endure in times today when good is now called evil and evil good (see Isaiah 5:20). We hear the words of false teachers, people whom we thought we could trust (see Matt. 24; 2 Pet. 1-2). And in some cases believers in Jesus are hated just for loving him and believing his word to be true (see Luke 6; John 15). So where do we go for help? Go to the word of God. These wise words were written long ago so that they might be relevant and applicable to us today. God’s word teaches us. We see the patient endurance of those who have been faithful to God before us. We see the evidence that God truly does not leave nor forsake his people. The word of God offers us encouragement. It gives us hope, that is, certainty, that with the powerful help of the Holy Spirit, we shall endure. So as Jesus said, “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 KJV). Amen.