The Richness of the Old Testament

Keith and I have the privilege of teaching the 5th/6th graders at our church each week.  Throughout the past year we have studied and taught through several books of the Old Testament.  I have been amazed at how rich these books are, how deep, how precious, and even applicable they are to me today.  In all honesty, I have never "studied" any of these books; yes, I have read them during my yearly "read through the Bible" plan, but I have never actually soaked up their value in the way I should have until now.

What I find so amazing is how everything, yes everything, is a picture of Christ.  You can see Him in all of the Old Testament, all the way from the beginning.  Not only that, but the themes in these books are repetitive, all brining glory and honor to God and God alone. And these themes carry themselves through all of the Word of God, into today and the future as well. 

God's faithfulness is evident throughout each of these books, time and time again.  Sometimes I wonder why He continues to prove Himself SO faithful to a nation that has proved itself so faithless.  And then, I am quickly reminded of my own faithlessness, and the power of the Gospel that brought me to the realization of who He is.  Apart from Him, I would be just like the nation of Israel- hopelessly forgetful of who God is and living solely for my own glory and good.

It is amazing how God keeps His promises then, just as He keeps them today, not because of the performance by the ones He made the promise to, but rather because of His faithfulness, His character that doesn't change.  In Hebrews 10:23 we read, "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful." 

I encourage you to take a trip back to the Old Testament and visit some of the rich literature in the first few books of the Bible.  Find Christ in them and marvel.  Stand in amazement at the faithfulness of God and praise Him for His faithfulness in your life.  And be encouraged by what He has done, past, present and future thanks to the cross of Jesus Christ!

"Children of God... will you not bear witness, that, through all your trials and troubles, the faithfulness of your Savior's love has been the “very joy of your hearts?” You have had many crosses and losses – has He ever deserted you? You have been in severe afflictions, and have seen the flowers of many a “sweet hope” wither and decay – did your Friend desert you then? Others may have proved faithless – all other help may have failed you – friendship’s help, promised help, expected help – all, all may have been but as the foam upon the billow, as the footsteps in the sand – but, has Christ ever failed you? Could you, in the darkest and the saddest hour of your grief, say to Him? “Lord, You have promised what You did not perform.” Will you not bear witness concerning the past? – “Not one good thing has failed, of all that the Lord has promised – all has come to pass.”

The Gospel IS For Christians

I had the privilege of growing up in a God-fearing home.  I can't remember a time when I didn't "know" Jesus, about the cross, or what the Gospel is.  And although I wasn't saved right away, these ideas were never foreign, hard to believe, or awe-striking.  The privilege it was to know my precious Jesus at a young age is something I highly value, but it has come with a struggle that I believe many seasoned Christians face today...the ability to neglect the Gospel.  


You see, the Gospel, although sweet to you the first time you heard it, and even more precious the moment you believed it, often becomes a trite truth many Christians neglect to mediate upon.  Christians forget what happened on Calvary, why it happened, and what they've been saved from.  Yes, we may remember cognitively, but this question must be asked...

Christian, does the cross still move you? Are you still humbled, amazed, grateful, dumbfounded and in awe? Does the Gospel still motivate you to holiness? Is HE still your first love? 

I too was so convicted by this question as I thought about my daily habits and reflections.  How often did I come to prayer THANKFUL for the cross?  Was the Gospel only something I believed was for the unbeliever, after all, I was already saved.  Did I ever sit and meditate on what Jesus did for me anymore? Or was it something I already knew, and didn't need to think about or hear of any more?

These questions moved me to a place of realizing and remembering, by God's grace, that the Gospel IS for the Christian too!  It is just as important that I preach the Gospel to myself today as it was the moment I was saved.  No matter how long I pine the depths of the mysteries of the cross, I will never exhaust its beauty, its worth, its wonder.  

And it was that very thing, the Gospel, that I recognized, HAD to be my motivation for holiness.  If I had my eyes fixed on anything else, I would lose hope and drive.  He alone had to be my prize!

So I urge you Christian, to think upon your habits, your prayers, your thoughts...when was the last time you thought about what He did for you on that cross?  When was the last time you pondered the Gospel?  I beg you to REMEMBER!

"All I Have is Christ", a song by Sovereign Grace Music, is a great reflection of the cross, one that will help you recall the cross.

I once was lost in darkest night Yet thought I knew the way The sin that promised joy and life Had led me to the grave I had no hope that You would own A rebel to Your will And if You had not loved me first I would refuse You still But as I ran my hell-bound race Indifferent to the cost You looked upon my helpless state And led me to the cross And I beheld God’s love displayed You suffered in my place You bore the wrath reserved for me Now all I know is grace Hallelujah! All I have is Christ Hallelujah! Jesus is my life Now, Lord, I would be Yours alone And live so all might see The strength to follow Your commands Could never come from me Oh Father, use my ransomed life In any way You choose And let my song forever be My only boast is You