A Last Gasp A Blazing Hope

Guido Reni, David, 1620

For all those words which were written long ago are meant to teach us today; that when we read in the scriptures of the endurance of men and of all the help that God gave them in those days, we may be encouraged to go on hoping in our own time. Romans 15:4 Phillips

The context here is that Paul is using Christ as a model of a deferential life. His specific reference, however, is from the Old Testament. See 15:3. So, he pauses to point out the role of the Bible in everyday Christian living, to keep our hope blazing.

David immediately comes to mind when I think of Old Testament characters. In the Psalms he seems to often be crying out to God as a man destitute, and on his last gasp. But, he finds strength in knowing God is his ally and rallies to victory.

Finding encouragement and strength in God may require us on occasion to reckon ourselves as destitute, on our last gasp. More likely, however, we are likely to see our current situation as tolerable, but wishing it were better. Reading the Old Testament will help our hope, for it helps us replace wishing with reckoning.
beanscot's husband