There are lovely stories in the Bible. Children’s movies have been made of these stories; devotionals for the young are full of them. But God also covered the tough areas, as in the rape of Tamar by her brothers. He dealt with the incestuous acts of Lot and his daughters. He covered the beheading of John the Baptist. And yes, God discussed slavery.
Here’s the proverbial “kicker”: if we are to believe that all Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16), then we must accept that there is a purpose for even the more difficult lessons in the Word. I will be the first to say that, in the midst of headlines that inundate us with news of a nation torn, those triumphant moments of our past seem almost overshadowed by the bleak realities of our present. We are challenged to think that we have not as yet seen the worst of our Father assures us are the last days; it is hard to fathom that the times might be more difficult. But, if we are ever to live out the truth of God’s Word—past our political or racial or socio-economic status—now would be that time.
I share more about teaching all aspects of God’s story, which we call HIS-story, in my monthly contribution to The End in Mind. Be blessed, dear friends.
