Friday; February 16

I enjoy reading American history because it reminds me of how far we have come.  No, we have not achieved an utopian status, but a look back in time can help us recall our progress.  Even before becoming a nation our forefathers dealt with issues such as the Salem Witch trials of the 17th Century.  Then came the 18th Century and – even though we won our independence from the British – not all of our nation’s residents were considered citizens.  The 19th Century featured slavery,  an uncivil war, and the first in a series of presidential assassinations.  It wasn’t until the 20th Century that women were given the constitutional right to vote ... and even those years brought social and political unrest.  As we enter the 21st Century we haven’t resolved all of the problems facing humanity, but we are further along than where we have been.
Interestingly, a similar rationale is why I enjoy reading the Bible.  I think there is a lot to learn about the relationship we can have with God by reading about  where we have been.  Humans have always had a connection to God, but early on it was defined by animal sacrifice.  The blood offerings continued even when a special law was provided by God to His chosen people, the Jews.  Fortunately, on one incredible weekend all of that was made passé with the death, burial and resurrection of the Lamb of God.   The Bible’s description of the development of man’s relationship with God isn’t merely limited to God’s formal relationship with His chosen people, it even reminds us of the individual growth we have experienced in Him.  As the Apostle Paul wrote to an early church he reminded them of the good news of their development by enumerating a list of sins and observing, “Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God”.  (I Corinthians 6:11) 
Let’s invest in reading the Word of God.  Our time spent in the Bible will remind us to be thankful for how good we have it today.
Think about it! 

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