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.
As Paul waited in prison, he was able to rejoice in two certain outcomes because of his view of life and death.
In the famous story of Daniel in the lions’ den, we learn about being blameless and see again that God reigns and rescues.
Paul received support of the body of Christ and reassurance from the words of the Lord Jesus Christ.
