Written For Our Instruction

“For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” (Romans 15:4)

There is so much comfort and power in God’s word, that we do ourselves an extreme disservice by not making the time and effort to read and study it (2 Timothy 2:15). “The sum of Thy word is truth, and every one of Thy righteous ordinances is everlasting” (Psalms 119:160). As Jesus said, “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32).

THROUGH ENDURANCE

The word “endurance” used here in the ESV is from the Greek word hupomonē which is also translated patience, perseverance, or steadfastness. I believe the statement here is about our own endurance: in other words, that we are to be steadfast. 

“And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach—if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven …” (Col. 1:21-23).

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Cor. 15:58).

Satan wants us to give up. Whether he tempts us to quit from difficulties in life outside the fellowship of our brethren, or from our brethren, Satan doesn’t care: he simply wants us to fail. But our failure will mean our eternal and deserved damnation (Rom. 6:23).

Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart, saying, “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God, and did not respect man. “And there was a widow in that city, and she kept coming to him, saying, ‘Give me legal protection from my opponent.’ “And for a while he was unwilling; but afterward he said to himself, ‘Even though I do not fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow bothers me, I will give her legal protection, lest by continually coming she wear me out.’” And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge said; now shall not God bring about justice for His elect, who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them? “I tell you that He will bring about justice for them speedily. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:1-8)

“Be patient, therefore, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. Behold, the farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains. You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand” (James 5:7-8).

THROUGH THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF THE SCRIPTURES

God—by means of His word provided to mankind by means of the Holy Spirit moving men (2 Pet. 1:21; 1 Cor. 2:9-16; 2 Tim. 3:16-17)—speaks to us now. “Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come” (1 Cor. 10:11).

When Jesus was being tempted by the devil (Matt. 4:1-11; Luke 4:1-13) He defended Himself by quoting the word of God! We need to do this ourselves, but we can’t do so successfully if we choose not to read it at all. “And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete” (1 John 1:4; see 2:12-14). We must read to know, and know to do. We do not accidentally serve the Lord; it is deliberate action He seeks from us (Heb. 11:1, 6; Eph. 5:7-11).