Who inspires you? Who inspired people thousands of years ago?

A person who lived sometime between the 10th and 6th centuries B.C. wrote this proverb: 

Proverbs 30:4 Who has gone up to heaven and come down? Whose hands have gathered up the wind? Who has wrapped up the waters in a cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is the name of his son? Surely you know!
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It is amazing that the Old Testament (OT) writers spoke about the Son of God, Jesus, even though Jesus had not yet walked the planet? How could the Old Testament writers have thought to write this…if it wasn’t for God inspiring them!?! And this is only one of hundreds of prophetic messages!

No wonder Jesus said (in John 5:39), “You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me.”

Yep, Jesus knew the Jews were seeking God, but they were overlooking the very prophetic message of salvation. They didn’t realize that Jesus, the Word of God made flesh, spoke everything into existence. I must admit, I’m not sure I would have caught on back in those days. Today we are fortunate to have the New Testament to bring further clarity. Once today’s readers see the fulfillment of so many OT prophecies, it’s easier to put the pieces together and see the promises of God come true. No doubt, God has been inspiring people forever. It’s time to open your heart to His message. It’s time to read the Bible…not like you would read a history textbook but rather read it with your heart.

Yes, the Bible is a history book, in fact, it’s HIStory (Jesus’ story). It’s a love letter from God to humankind. God loves each and every one of us. 

I’ll leave you with this thought…The second part of Jesus’s statement (John 5:40) says, “yet you refuse to come to me to have life.”

Is that where you are? Are you refusing Jesus’ love? Jesus is God’s love in action on earth. It doesn’t get better than that. The one true God of this world (of all things) is a God who came to serve and to offer you eternal life with Him by His grace. 

The hundreds of stories and prophetic messages in the Old Testament are mind-boggling. You will see the power of God, the promises of God, and the grace and mercy of God. I know the Bible seems like an overwhelming book to read, but if you read 4 chapters a day, 6 days a week, you will have read it in one year. It’s worth the read. I wish I had not waited until I was in my late thirties to read the Scriptures. I would have had a much different life if I had known in my younger years what I know now.