Is the Old Testament relevant today?
For many years I struggled with reading the old testament (the beginning of the Bible). The animal sacrifices, customs, sabbath, festivals, fasting, circumcision and so much more. It all just seemed so distant from what life is like today. I had a hard time relating to any of it or being truly engaged in what I was reading. When I initially started reading the Bible on my own years ago, I was especially fond of the New Testament. This is the part of the Bible when Jesus came to the earth, so I felt like that was what really pertained to me.
However, in the last few years, as I have deepened my Biblical knowledge through additional study classes offered at my church, sermons, books and conversations with mature Christians, I have come to find that the entire Bible was given to us for a reason. It is all very relevant to you and I right now… today. Let me explain...
Throughout the years, there have been many beliefs and religions that have worshiped multiple gods. However, as Christians we believe in ONE God! There wasn’t a God for the Old Testament and another God for the New Testament. He is the same now as He was then.
With this simple realization and correlation, we must acknowledge that the Old Testament is extremely relevant to us today because He is the same today as He was then. This one perspective shift made me look at the Old Testament with new eyes. I pray to God multiple times a day. The God I am praying to, is the same God that Abraham prayed to!
It’s hard for us to imagine someone who NEVER changes. We humans are always changing. Circumstances, time and experience change us and mature us. We need to remind ourselves that God is Sovereign, He is Almighty. Our limited human minds struggle to grasp the concept of eternity. He IS eternal.
I love the prayer of the living creatures in heaven mentioned in Revelation 4:8. “Day and night they never stop saying: Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.” I love to say this in my prayers because it reminds me of how massive God is. It reminds me of His eternity!
When I look in the Old Testament and see the examples of Moses, Abraham and Sarah, Noah, Joseph, Esther, David, Job, Isaiah, and more, I am reminded that our God is the exact same God! He does not change. He loves us the same as He loved them. I keep in mind Romans 2:13 that says, “God does not show favoritism.” Those people in the Bible that He rescued, delivered and blessed were sinners just like you and me!
The stories in the Old Testament come to life bigger and bolder now when I dare to consider that God loves me the same as He loved them. Whoa!! I pause to consider a few of the attributes of who my Heavenly Father truly is: He is loving, patient, compassionate, kind, generous and all knowing. He is a God of justice and mind blowing miracles! And in His time (which is always perfect), He always makes right what is wrong.
And by the way, when you come across the scriptures with all the names that say “son of” this guy and “son of” that guy, just remember: every word in the bible is there for a reason. I believe by listing all those names, God wants us to know how intimately He knows us. He not only knows the exact number of hairs on your head (Luke 12:7), but He knows our lineage all the way back to Adam and Eve. He knows your DNA and why you do the things you do, why you think the way you think, why you are good at the things you are and so much more. He knows our generational blessings and generational curses (Exodus 20:5). And the blessings FAR outweigh any curses. He is SO good!
To sum it up, I feel like the Old Testament really shows the character of God. He was beautiful then, He continued to show His character and beauty when Jesus came to earth and He is ever as beautiful now. He is waiting to unleash His beauty in your life. Dare to trust in a God who NEVER changes and be amazed and blessed in your life! If things are difficult, please stay encouraged and remember that our circumstances are ever changing but God never changes! I pray you continue to stay in faith. God bless you all!
Prayer Prompt: Heavenly Father, thank you for showing us time and time again in your word, who you truly are. Let us never be guilty of limiting you in our minds or putting you in a human sized box. Let us remember that you are all powerful and willing to show up and show out in our lives. You are always good, always righteous and the root of true love. Thank you for your continued grace. Thank you for the Old Testament, the New Testament and the realization of the relevance the entire Bible has in my life right now, in this very moment. Abba, I love you. I choose you. I honor you and I fully surrender everyone and everything in my life to you. You are so big and I am so small. May I never forget that. YOUR will be done in my life now and forever. I trust you. In Jesus name. Amen.
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