Romans 15:1-4
1We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. 3For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me. 4For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
This passage, full of hope, was written by Paul to the church at Rome. He begins this 15th chapter of Romans on the heels of chapter 14 when he was talking about how the gospel was offered to the Gentiles because of Israel’s unbelief.
I am so glad that the Holy Spirit used Paul to write this stuff down! It is because of the written Word that even today, we have hope. We can look back to what happened in history. We can see the commands and promises of God. We can see how God did exactly what He said He would do — every time! This gives us hope that He will continue to do what He said He would do and in the end He will be glorified.
We have the Holy Word of God at our fingertips because God moved men to write it down (1 Peter 1:21). Back in the day when Paul was writing to the Romans he used history to teach the people what they could expect in the future. It was written so that we could look back and learn and then we can be “Looking for that blessed HOPE, and glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13).
Continuing daily in the Word encourages us. Reading the Bible reminds us of how much God truly loves us.
