Daily Devotional May 5, 2017
Learning From History
Pastor W.F Kumuyi
Text: Romans 15:4
For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope"
History is basically defined as "a chronological record of significant events (as affecting a nation or an institution) often including an explanation of their causes" (Merriam-Webster Dictionary). Indeed, the Bible is a divinely-inspired record, packaged partly as the history of God's chosen people, Israel. But, more importantly, the Bible is a revelation of God's plan for the whole world. Based on our text, William Burkitt said, "That the great end for which the holy scriptures were written, was the informing of our judgment, and the directing of our practice, that by the examples which we find there of the patience of holy men under sufferings, and of God's relieving and comforting them in their distresses, we might have hope, yea, confidence, and assurance, that God will also comfort and relieve us, under the like pressure and burden."
In the Bible are bad examples to avoid: Diana and Tamar were too careless and trusting, and were raped; Hophni and Phinehas were sinners and they lost the priestly office. On the contrary, the young David, Samuel and Ruth were good examples to follow.
Challenge: Better to learn from history than from personal experience.
Prayer: Open my eyes oh God to behold wondrous things out of thy law.
Quote: Samuel and Ruth were good examples to follow
Bible Reading in one Year: I Corinthians 10:1-12
Higher Everyday was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.