The Scriptures Give Us Hope And Help

"For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of The Scriptures we might have hope."  Romans 15:4 (NIV)

The Apostle Paul wrote to the believers in Rome and told them to read The Word of God whenever things were getting them down.  He said that The Scriptures were written to teach them, and to encourage them, and to give them hope.  He also said that reading God's Word would help them endure whatever they were going through.

Reading The Word of God can help us today.  The Scriptures offer us a helpful word to address every situation and circumstance which we have to deal with.  All Scripture is given by God and it is good for instruction, direction, doctrine, reproof, and correction. (2 Timothy 3:16)  God speaks to us and offers us guidance and a word of encouragement through His Holy Word.  He speaks to us when we have sinned (Psalms 51:1-15 and 1 John 1:9); when we are feeling overwhelmed (Matthew 11:28); when we are weak (Philippians 4:13); when we feel inadequate (Matthew 19:26); when we are dealing with the death of a loved one (2 Corinthians 5:6-8 and 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18); when we are depressed and despondent (Psalms 30:5); when we are going through tough times (Romans 5:3-4, Romans 8:28, and James 1:2-3); when we have been wronged (Matthew 18:15-17); and many other situations too numerous to mention in this brief discourse.  We just need to read The Word of God more than we do. (2 Timothy 2:15)

The Scriptures Were Written For Our Benefit

"For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.  May The God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."  Romans 15:4-6 (NIV)

The Apostle Paul tells the believers in Rome that the scriptures were written for their benefit, to teach them, and encourage them, and to give them hope.  Then he prayed that God would bless them and give them unity of mind, heart, and speech, that they would be on one accord, and follow Christ, and glorify God.

The written words of the Bible represent God speaking to us.  They were written under the divine inspiration of The Holy Spirit for our education, edification, and enlightenment.  The scriptures provide us with guidance and direction, comfort and compassion, help and healing, in addition to insight and instruction.  The Word of God can provide us with spiritual food (1 Corinthians 10:3) and living water (John 4:10 and 7:38), and the road to salvation and sanctification.  To be blessed by The Word of God we must read it, or hear it (Deuteronomy 17:19, 2 Kings 23:2, Nehemiah 8:3 and 9:3, & Rev 1:3), believe it (Matthew 21:22), study it (2 Timothy 2:15), live it (James 1:22), and share it with others (Hebrews 13:16).

Reading And Studying The Bible Is Good For Us

"For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope."  Romans 15:4 (NIV)

Here the Apostle Paul states that all of the divinely inspired previous writings were written for the benefit of man.  By reading the scriptures man would learn how to endure, and be encouraged to continue to endure with the hope of better things to come.

The Bible is not just a book, or just a collection of books or stories.  The Bible is the divinely inspired written Word of God.  It can be used for divine guidance and instruction, the development of sound doctrine, and the reproof of wrong behavior or belief.  (2 Timothy 3:16)  The Bible teaches us what God expects us to do.  It also gives us a means to test what we hear so that we can recognize false prophets and false doctrine.   The Bible also inspires and encourages us to persevere in bad times and to keep the faith in light of the good things yet to come because the victory is already ours.