Spoken to Me as Well

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (New King James Version)

When I find myself reading Scripture and failing to see that the words are meant for me, today’s passage redirects and corrects my thinking. I lived too many years as a Christian seeing certain passages written only to the people in Bible times and felt left out of the promises and words of encouragement. Lately, that mindset found its way back into my thought life and began to shake me at my core.

This morning as I read from Haggai I found myself struggling to see God’s words through Haggai as not just meant for the people of Israel. The words of Haggai 2:19, “Is the seed still in the barn? Even including the vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate and the olive tree, it has not borne fruit. Yet from this day on I will bless you” were seen as God’s promise to His people. How I longed for those words of blessing to be directed toward me as well! As I read Haggai 2:23 where God tells Zerubbabel, that He would make him like a signet ring, because He had chosen him, I once again could not imagine that I too would be made a signet ring. I somehow had lost the ability to hear God speaking His words to me.

Yet when I read passages from the New Testament or Psalms it was relatively easy to embrace the words. My first thought was, “Why even read the passages that seem to be only for Israel?” Why not just read the New Testament and a few books from the Old Testament? Today’s passage gave me my answer. All Scripture was inspired by God with profit and purpose for me! God’s words were not limited to just the present audience centuries ago. Practically speaking, this means when I read of His promised blessings on Israel I can delight that He has promised to bless me as well. When others are told they will be made a signet ring I can rest in the fact that God will also make me into a signet ring as well. What that looks like I don’t know but my lack of complete knowledge is no reason to doubt!

God’s dealings with me and workings in my life may vary from those who lived in Bible times but as His child, I am free to perk up my ears to the sound of His voice in His written word. The messages are not meant to feel like I am reading someone else’s mail….they are meant for me!

Father, may Your Word never fail to be personally directed toward me and accepted by me. Amen.

Ancient Words - Michael W. Smith
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vmTkXNpwzs&feature=related

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.