Oh sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him. The LORD has made known his salvation; he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations. He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.1
The Bible is His story! From beginning to end. The OT consists of 39 books; it begins with God’s creation of the universe and ends about 400 years before the birth of Jesus Christ. It provides the inspired record of God’s love for mankind and particularly the nation of Israel, and reveals God’s plan of salvation. The OT is divided into four major categories: The Books of Law, the Books of History, Psalms and Wisdom Literature, and the Books of the Prophets.2
The NT begins with the birth of Jesus Christ. There are 27 books in the NT; the focus, the person of Jesus Christ—His life and teachings, His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension—as well as the coming of the Holy Spirit and the establishment of God’s church. The NT is divided into four major categories: The Gospels, a History of the Early Church, the Letters, and the Book of Prophecy.3
A serious, deliberate, thorough study of the Bible would make you thirst for more. His Words never stale.4 His revelations are partial, progressive, and conditional. Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all thing, through whom also he created the world.5 His Word strengthens, encourages, and comforts.6
God is all knowing; he doesn’t move by happenstance. God reigns!7 A study of Abraham is one of the ways to understand God’s sovereignty; through his offspring the promise Messiah was made.8 Though his body was as good as dead, No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.9 After a long wait, indeed he had a son, Isaac; God asked that Isaac be sacrificed (to test him). Immediately, Abraham did the preparations. Up the mountain, Isaac asked, “. . . where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” God provided a ram.10 Interestingly, Isaac’s question was never answered. Only upon the revelation of Jesus was it answered—“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes aways the sin of the world!11
“Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.12 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it—the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, . . . .13
You have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to you, “Your face, LORD, do I seek.”14
Notes:
1. Psalm 98:1-3
2. ESV Text Edition 2011, Introduction to the Old Testament, page xix
3. ESV Text Edition 2011, Introduction to the New Testament, page 685
4. Isaiah 40:8
5. Hebrews 1:1-2
6. 1 Corinthians 14:3
7. Psalm 93; Psalm 97
8. Galatians 3:16
9. Romans 4:13-25
10. Genesis 22:1-18
11. John 1:29-34
12. Genesis 15:6; Romans 4:3
13. Romans 3:21-26 (Romans 5:15-17, free gift is mentioned 5x)
14. Psalm 27:8
