When you read the stories in the Bible, it is remarkable to see how the Lord worked through common individuals of the day. God used Abraham, an old man living in a pagan land. God used puny David, a shepherd boy and the runt in his family. God used Moses, a forgotten 80-year-old living in the wilderness. He used Rahab, a harlot, and Joshua, a timid leader. He used barren Hannah and a young poor girl named Mary. He used Paul, a murderer, and Peter, a coward. He used Matthew, a tax collector, and the rough and thundering personality of John. Repeatedly, God worked through weak, common, and broken people. How incredible to see the way the Creator of the universe revealed himself to the world.
However, that was a long time ago. The last biblical book was written over 1900 years ago. Biblical stories, while inspiring, are ancient. Due to their age, some may even find them unrelatable. It is nice to read about a God that once connected with people “there and then”, but what about the “here and now”? How do stories about God from 20+ centuries ago relate to me?
If the Bible is finished being written, how do I know we can still connect to him? One way we know we can connect to God is that GOD HASN’T CHANGED. The same God we read about in the Bible is the same God of today. This means we can relate to him just as the people did in biblical times.
The ancient Bible stories that teach us about who God is are just as relevant today as they were when they were written. Though the Bible has been completed, it does not mean God has stopped his working. He is on the move and he desires to be made known among his people. We can relate to him because hasn’t gone anywhere. He is still the same God.
The following passages find it significant to remind us of this truth…
- Ps 90:2b “…from everlasting to everlasting you are God.”
- Heb 13:8 “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
- Malachi 3:6 “For I the Lord do not change…”
- Numbers 23:19 “God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?”
- 2 Timothy 2:13 “[Even] If we are faithless, he remains faithful…”
Because God is eternally the same, His word can and will forever sustain.
- Psalm 119:89 “Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens.”
- Isaiah 40:8 “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.”
The same God that transformed the lives of Abraham, Moses, Rahab, Joshua, Hannah David, Paul, Peter, Matthew, and John is the same God that wants to transform your life too. The Bible is more than just an ancient book that took place “there and then”. It is relevant to the “here and now”. His word is his means to reveal himself, his nature and his promises. It is the avenue to better know him and discover how God wants to work in your life too.
The next time you read a bible story and feel a disconnect from stories written so long ago, remind yourself that God is still the same today. He is actively on the move reaching the lost and transforming lives.
Cast all your cares on him, He is near and cares for you (1 Peter 5:6-7). Humble yourself before him (James 4:10). Seek his face (Psalm 105:4). Know his word (1 John 2:5). Become a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1-2). Live for Christ alone (Philippians 3:8,10). Lay aside every encumbrance and run the race he calls you to run (Heb 12:1)