Nothing New

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8

Today, as I read a daily devotional first published in 1925, I was struck by how those writers (the book is a compilation of prayers, poems, stories, and teachings by various authors) used the same words we use today in stating our beliefs. We stand on the same promises as they did. We are strengthened by the same verses they were. God moves in us the same way He moved in them. The same words comfort us. The same thoughts make us stop and consider our ways. We have the same sufferings, the same worries, the same heartaches, the same questions.

“That which has been is what will be, that which is done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun. Is there anything of which it may be said, ‘See, this is new’? It has already been in ancient times before us” (Ecclesiastes 1:9-10).

This humbles me. In reading the words of those who lived in my grandparents’ generation, I see myself, today, in this culture and time. I should not think God has spoken to me especially, or given me a fresh word. I should not feel extra-privileged with the message He has given me to share, or the gifts He has given me to use—they have been around since, well, the beginning I suppose.

This is not to say that I don’t feel privileged to be used by God—I surely do. It is unbelievably gracious of Him to call any one of us and give us works to do. He entrusts us with these things. He works in us to prepare us for kingdom work. He holds us and keeps us near. He keeps His promises to us. Yes, we are privileged to belong to Him.

His Word has stood through the ages. In particular, the ways His Spirit works in us is the same as it has always been. He has sent so many ahead of us to live this same earthly existence, pursuing Him, seeking His face, doing His pleasure. God intended that we should learn from them. We try to avoid their mistakes. We see how their sin and idolatry turned out. We see where our love falls short, for mankind and for God, because it is easier to see the faults of others than of our own selves. And prayerfully, we can make different choices—better choices, that please Him—because these mentors have gone before us and led the way.

Lord, help us pay attention to the lives of those You created to live in generations before us. From the words by the authors of Your Word, to those who lived and wrote more recently, we know they are examples to us. Do in us what You did in them to cause us to hunger and thirst for You. Use us as You used them to bring many to You. Amen.