“For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.” Romans 15:4

Paul was referring here directly to the Old Testament Scriptures, as the New Testament had not been completed at that point. It is safe to say, of course, that the principle applies to all of Scripture. How valuable the Scriptures are! They lead us to endurance (patience), encouragement and exhortation (comfort), and hope! 

Stories like God delivering His people from impossible situations like Egyptian slavery, forgiving repentant sinners like David, judging the wickedness of cruel nations like Babylon, sustaining Joseph for 13 difficult years in terrible circumstances, and commands like Israel celebrating Passover every year to remind them of salvation from Egypt! The ultimate point of these stories points to the eternal redemption of sinners thru Jesus Christ. This is our solid basis of patience, comfort and hope. But, they also teach us to trust God in every situation, to persevere thru discouragment and difficulty, and to find our ultimate contentment and satisfaction in the one, true God. 

Do you need patience, comfort and hope on your Christian journey? Turn to the Scriptures. Paul did. In this very chapter of Romans 15, Paul quoted from the Old Testament 6 times! So, look to the only true source of these blessings: God and His Word. Read it, meditate on it, hear it, sing it, and believe it!

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