God Speaks Across Millennia

In the book of Romans, Paul often quoted verses from the Old Testament. It’s amazing to think that the same Word of God that inspired Paul and guided him is the same word that speaks to us today. It also reminds me that we can know scripture well, yet it continues to speak to us in unexpected ways.

Paul was a Pharisee, “a son of Pharisees (Acts 23:6, NASB).” He was devoted to the Jewish faith and “lived as a Pharisee according to the strictest sect of our religion (Acts 26:5).” He was a “Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless (Philippians 3:5-6).” Paul was very familiar with scripture and a staunch defender of faith in God to the point of persecuting followers of Jesus. But God gave Paul a new revelation on the road to Damascus.

As a believer in Jesus, Paul suddenly saw the scripture he knew so well in a different light. In Romans 15:9-12 he quotes from Deuteronomy, Psalms and Isaiah about the Gentiles receiving the hope of Jesus: THERE SHALL COME THE ROOT OF JESSE, AND HE WHO ARISES TO RULE OVER THE GENTILES, IN HIM SHALL THE GENTILES HOPE (Roman 15:12).” The Word of God Paul knew so well gave him new insight. “He who once persecuted us is now preaching the faith which he once tried to destroy. (Galatians 1:23).”

No matter how familiar God’s word is to us, we should constantly read and study it. “The LORD’S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23).” God’s Word “is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Hebrews 4:12).”

Sometimes scripture we have known well for years will strike us in a new and powerful way as Paul was struck on the road to Damascus. Other times it will soothe and reassure our faith in ways we’ve never felt before. God continues to speak to us as he has for thousands of years. The Word of God handed down to us across the millennia is as relevant today to our life as it was for the faithful across the centuries. Take time today to read the Word of God.