When people read the Bible, they may be surprised to find shocking stories of wickedness mixed with stories of great faith, sometimes in the very same people. In other words, it contains stories of people like us. Judges reports on the chaotic situation in Israel after the death of Joshua during which a series of deliverers rescued God’s people time and time again from self-inflicted problems. At the end of the book, things spiraled out of control, but this failure reveals the main point of the book. In the end, the judges could not have lasting success but were signposts pointing forward to the answer to their failures and ours.
The Thessalonian believers followed the good example of their faithful ministers.
In response to Moses’ prayers, God promised to go up with his rebellious people after all, showing grace even to them as he does...
In the thanksgiving section of Paul’s letter to the Colossians, he recognized their faith and love, which were based on their certain hope.
