Looking Backward And Forward

December 2016 – Grace & Truth Magazine

Looking Backward And Forward

When talking about someone, have you ever looked back at his or her predecessors? For example, one worker here at Grace & Truth has the same “roots” as the Dutch painter Rembrandt, who lived from 1606 to 1669. For our worker, it is simply an interesting point of trivia – not that it impacts his life in any special way.

As we are once again at the time of the year when many celebrate Christmas, in recognition of the birth of our Savior, we felt led to consider someone in the genealogy of the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, the Feature topic this month is “David.” One writer accurately expressed that many more things could be written about this man than can be included in a single article or even magazine, but we trust that what is included will be used of the Lord for the blessing of each reader.

As we were reminded in the May 2016 edition, when we considered the women in the lineage of Christ, the people God has used in unique ways and who were given special recognition by God were far from perfect. This is something to which we can relate, for “we all stumble in many ways” (Jas. 3:2 NASB). And yet, we have been shown mercy (1 Tim. 1:13). The fact that David was shown mercy was brought out by his son Solomon, who said while praying, “You have shown great mercy to Your servant David my father, because he walked before You in truth, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with You; You have continued this great kindness for him, and You have given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day” (1 Ki. 3:6 NKJV). This does not mean that everything that David did was right. Rather, even though he stumbled, he sought the Lord, confessed his sin and walked by faith.

We live in a day when living a life pleasing to the Lord and separated from the way of the world is becoming harder and harder. There is so much wrong scripturally with society, and these things are increasingly making inroads into our families and churches. Looking at such conditions, it seems incredible that the Lord has not yet come. “Maybe today” is a phrase anticipating the instant when believers will depart and be with Christ. Are you ready and eagerly looking for that moment?

By Paul Alberts