As we stand on and are built up in Christ, we are also to stand on the Word He has so graciously given to us. In verse 4 of Romans 15, Paul teaches us why the things that were written were written. They were written for our instruction, for us to learn from. Though Paul directed his audience in the church in Rome to such benefits of the Old Testament Scriptures, the same thing is also true of the writings of the Apostles. As the Spirit works in and through the Word, we receive the best education. All of Scripture is useful and profitable for us to learn from. There is nothing sub par or unprofitable contained therein. Rather, as we read the Word and sit under the preaching of it, we are being taught, corrected, and trained in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16).
Are you set and ready to learn? Wonderful. Are you already in the practice of learning? Great! Keep going. Dive deeper. As we learn, notice the glorious truth about the instruction we receive. As those prepared by patience, the Scriptures raise us up. Our heads are lifted up, our hearts strengthened and encouraged by the Word. We’re pointed to the main end- the grand hope of eternal life that we have in Christ.
John Calvin said it well, “The patience of the faithful is not indeed that hardihood which philosophers recommend, but that meekness, by which we willingly submit to God, while a taste of his goodness and paternal love renders all things sweet to us: this nourishes and sustains hope in us, so that it fails not.”
How has your week been thus far in the Word? What about today? I encourage you to think more about why it was written. Then strive to learn from it. Don’t neglect to drink from its deep fountain. Are you overwhelmed? Are you discouraged or worried? Are you feeling hopeless? Ensure that you open the Scriptures daily and be nourished by its treasures. For in the pages of Scripture we are greatly encouraged as we see and are pointed to Jesus and the hope we have in Him. Praise God for His Word!