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That We May Be Encouraged, January 1
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.
The lives recorded in the Bible are authentic histories of actual individuals.
From Adam down through successive generations to the times of the apostles
we have a plain, unvarnished account of what actually occurred and the genuine
experience of real characters. It is a subject of wonder to many that inspired
history should narrate in the lives of good men facts that tarnish their moral
characters.... The inspired writers did not testify to falsehoods to prevent the
pages of sacred history being clouded by the record of human frailties and
faults....
It is one of the best evidences of the authenticity of the Scriptures that the
truth is not glossed over nor the sins of its chief characters suppressed.... How
many biographies have been written of faultless Christians, who, in their ordinary
home life and church relations, shone as examples of immaculate piety.... Yet
had the pen of inspiration written their histories, how different would they have
appeared. There would have been revealed human weaknesses, struggles with
selfishness, bigotry, and pride, hidden sins, perhaps, and the continual warfare
between the spirit and the flesh....
Had our good Bible been written by uninspired persons, it would have
presented quite a different appearance and would have been a discouraging study
to erring mortals, who are contending with natural frailties and the temptations
of a wily foe. But as it is, we have a correct record of the religious experience
of marked characters in Bible history. Men whom God favored, and to whom
He entrusted great responsibilities, were sometimes overcome by temptation
and committed sins, even as we of the present day strive, waver, and frequently
fall into error. But it is encouraging to desponding hearts to know that through
God’s grace they could gain fresh vigor to again rise above their evil natures;
and, remembering this, we are ready to renew the conflict ourselves
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Testimonies for the Church 4:9-11
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