Devotional - June 18, 2025
Scripture: Galatians 3:23 Before the coming of this faith, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed.
I know we all remember doing dot-to-dots. Or ...maybe you still do them. It's been a long time since I have seen one. I still remember looking at the page filled with numbers thinking what will it look like when I am done? What is this a picture of? Then, my pencil dropped down on the number one and I began connecting the dots. When you look at the numbers spread out across the page, sometimes, you can get an idea of what it is you will be drawing. If you paint-by-numbers, which is fun. You definitely know what it is before you begin, but you don’t see it in all its glory until you have finished with all the colors filled in. As Christian, we embrace and utilize both the Old and New Testaments. And normally that is what we call them, Testaments, because they testify or explain the content therein. But I think you would agree, it is good to know what we are testifying too. Yes, it is the revelation of God, but how? What do we use to understand God's character the most? We use the covenants and the situations that surround them. Who is involved? When they are made? Who God uses to remind the Isrealites, and us, about their content. How do the people of God respond? Which is a reason you may hear them called the Old and New Covenant. They give us a framework, or progression, to follow in understanding God. We use them to connect the dots, or color in, the revelation of God. The final picture is Jesus Christ. Paul is addressing this in today's text. In the Old Testament, they believed in God by way of the covenants, but it was very contractual in nature. Yet, it testified about the coming of Jesus (Luke 24: 25-26). It told the people who He would be and what He would do (John 5: 39-40, 46). God was always faithful, but the people had a way of modifying or flat out disregarding God's instruction in favor of their own desires. In the New Testament, God fulfills the covenants and instructions found in the Old Testament and calls the people to live by way of the new covenant made through their faith and relationship with Jesus Christ (James 1: 5-8). They dont just follow instructions written down on stone or parchment, they follow Jesus personally by way of the Holy Spirit (John 16:13). I think there are those who look at the Bible like a dot-to-dot. A page full of numbers strewn across a page. There are all kinds of laws and covenants and people doing this and that, but it appears all jumbled up. Yes, they can make out a few things here and there, but it is still confusing to them. Don't feel bad if that is you. It's common even among avid church goers. Approach the Bible just like the dot-to-dot, start at the beginning with the number one (Genesis) and make your way through. Don't be in a hurry, seek to understand what you study. God sees your heart and no, you won't be condemned if you dont understand it all, but try to get as much as you can each day. Folks, the learning curve never ends. But, just like the dot-to-dot, you have to finish in order to see the final picture which is Jesus Christ (John 10:30, Col 1:19-20 & 2:9, Eph 3:16-19). But also, approach it like a dot-to-dot or painting by number. Enjoy your time with God. Yes, it will continue to bring change into your life, but know the changes are being made by a loving God who has your best interests at heart all throughout your life.
Pray with me.., Holy God, we ask and pray that You will continue to lead us onward. Bless our time of study with You with revelation and inspiration. Hear us as we pray for our loved ones. We ask Your blessing upon them according to their needs. We continue to pray for our church. Bless us, so we can bless others in Jesus' Name we pray, Amen.
God's peace,
Pastor Brian
