As the saying goes, we are creatures of habit, one contributor is time and the consequential limits it imposes through the different periods introduced.
We have seconds, minutes and hours along with morning, afternoon and evening making up one day, then seven days in one week, four weeks in a month and so on. As if that were not enough, we also have 4 seasons as well.
Consequently, we may have varying degrees of difficulty relating to God being outside time, as He doesn’t age or change because it doesn’t relate to what we are used to.
Little wonder Matthew 6 v 34 says, Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Our time attitude to life and how it effects our thinking about God and what the Bible states can be similar to when we plan a journey to see someone. The question is how many components are involved?
Four or one?
There is, preparation, journey to, the visit itself, the return journey, collectively we normally just call it a trip, four parts or one?
The journey is detailed, we pick a route with varying travel conditions involving fast or slow speed, eating places close at hand, straightforward route (e.g. motorways) or more complicated routes (e.g. towns) and finally particularly in England the weather may vary from good or bad! All these factors make one journey that combined with our stay and return journey come under one heading, trip.
The aforementioned is also true of God, we have two testaments, 5 covenants, sixty six books, the Torah, the poets, the minor prophets and then Gospels and epistles with accompanying chapters and verses which include numerous individuals, God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, Again little wonder when we split the various segments with many predominantly look only at the New Testament Gospels, a bit of Paul’s letters and a smattering of Old Testament such as Psalm 23.
However, shouldn’t we see the Bible like a trip? Taking the Bible as a whole, rather than diluting God’s overall message through segmentation through being guided by the Covenant of Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Consider, humanities fall through Adam & Eve didn’t surprise God, because He had planned our redemption before the fall, hence why we were chosen before the beginning of the world (Eph. 1 v 4).
Instead of splitting God’s Word shouldn’t we see the Bible as a series of stepping stones where each part presents a unique lesson, rather than thinking that only the New Testament applies to us? For example, to correctly view Psalms 23 and 91 and their relation to New Testament peace, do we see them as God relieving us of problems or being with us through the problems we face? Consider the trials faced by the disciples, Paul and Jesus no less. As one bible teacher said, when he became a Christian, it was then that his problems started, not finished as many assume!
Alternatively, Deuteronomy 28 outlines blessings and curses regarding obedience/disobedience to the Law, when reading its first 14 verses we can gain a greater understanding of Ephesians 1 v 3 and for the remaining 54 verses we discover more of what Jesus removing the curses (Gal 3 v 13) means about our no longer being under these curses. Similarly, the Deuteronomy verses help us to comprehend more deeply our New Testament walk with God as indicated by verses such as Philippians 4 v 19 and 1 Peter 2 v 24.
Also, in my opinion, David, when facing Goliath alone (1 Sam. 17 45-47), the way he spoke to this apparently formidable foe helps us to understand what Jesus said in response to Satan’s temptations in the wilderness (Matt. 4).
Equally, when taking on board the Old Testament stages towards humanity’s redemption we begin to appreciate more fully what Jesus did for us and all that we now have in Him.
Hours, days, months, year or one life? 4 parts to a journey or one trip? 31,101 verses, 1,189 chapters, 66 books and 2 Testaments or one book and saviour throughout?
With all blessings
Tony
PS This blog is normally updated each Monday.