A few years ago, one of my friends asked another friend who recently became a Christian the following question:
“Isn’t the Bible just fill with stories and fairy tales to convert people?”
He answered in a very sincere manner. That if the people put the Bible together to convince people, there will be many things that they don’t need to put in it.
On the way drive home from prayer meeting tonight, I reflected on the authenticity of the Bible. Sure I can pull out historical references to prove the Bible is reliable. For me, what even more compelling is how I can relate with the characters in the Bible.
Like Moses…
…not confidence of his own skills, talents and age when God told asked him to go back to Egypt and free his people.
“O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.”
(Exodus 4:10)
Oh Lord, how often I see the frail (failure) of my own abilities and question the task You bestowed upon me. What qualifications do I have to lead or go? I have no knowledge or the Bible or the gospel. I cannot speak well to convince others about You or win over arguments. I cannot deal with people.
Or Gideon…
…who constantly ask for signs to confirm that You are with him. Like here when You first spoke to him:
“If now I have found favor in your eyes, give me a sign that it is really you talking to me. Please do not go away until I come back and bring my offering and set it before you.“
(Judges 6:17-18)
Or here to confirm Your promise that You will deliver the Israel from the Midianites:
“If you will save Israel by my hand as you have promised-look, I will place a wool fleece on the threshing floor. If there is dew only on the fleece and all the ground is dry, then I will know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you said.“
(Judges 6:36 b- 37)
And a second time for confirmation:
“Do not be angry with me. Let me make just one more request. Allow me one more test with the fleece. This time make the fleece dry and the ground covered with dew.“
(Judges 6:39b)
Oh Lord. How I keep asking You for signs after signs. Yet like in Judges, You never despair or grow impatient of me. In fact, You even show me signs like You did with Gideon and tell him to sneak down the enemy camps and see how You will delivered them to Gideon and his three hundred men.
Or Peter…
…after reinstated by Jesus. When Jesus command him that he will be led where he didn’t want to go. His first response was point to the other disciple and asked,
“Lord, what about him?“
(John 21:21 b)
Oh Lord, how often I asked what about the other brother or sister when You gave me a task. How You treat him have nothing to do with me and nor my concern.
And finally a criminal…
But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.“Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.“
(Matthew 23:39-43)
O Lord, how Your innocent Son has to die on the cross for us. For of all the faults, I deserve none of your blessings. How gracious of You to clothe me in Your mercy and forgiveness. May I be like the criminal, exulting Your Name to my very last breathe. For You will remember me when I come to Your Kingdom.
