THE USEFULNESS OF HISTORY

The Holy Bible

History is a record of past events. A summary of what happened in the past, both good and bad. History is meant to serve as a lesson to present and future generations. A warning of what could happen if we fail to follow God's path for the world. It shows the living of how those who lived before faired depending on their choices and actions.

Rightly or wrongly, it provides a place to learn from the mistakes of others and the benefit of avoiding similar mistakes in our journey.

Though it's often said that the best way to learn is from personal mistakes.

However, learning sometimes requires time and the ability to process knowledge which helps in the recognition of unfolding patterns.

Through those experiences, wisdom is gained if we allow God to determine our path; for His word lights our path.

As believers in the LORD Jesus Christ, knowledge of the life He lived, and the sufferings of His followers throughout history, should help shape our views, and prepare us for what to expect in the future.

Jesus lived at a time when the people of God were seen as outsiders by the ruling authority. The religious leaders were divided on how to deal with His teachings. Most saw Him as one who threatened unity; and still do.

As Jesus said, He came to bring sword--Matthew 10:34-36.

Jesus had difficulty being believed and accepted by even some in His own family.

There was a continuous challenge, not from the population, who were happy being fed and healed, but religious authority of the day whose interest was to secure their position and control the people. They were not comfortable with the freedom the Gospel provided.

Read the Bible for Yourself

As we read the Bible, we find that towards the end of His life, Jesus had to separate Himself from the ruling authorities of the Synagogue in order to stay alive and complete His mission. The leaders of the Synagogue's main preoccupation became that of getting rid of Jesus, not in serving the purpose of God.

But to finish the work He was given, Jesus moved and lived in the wilderness with His disciples. He told those who asked that the Son of Man had nowhere to lay His head.

Out of all that followed the persecution and the killing of His disciples after His death, and the twisting of the truth of His resurrection, which continued through much of history.

This ugly picture has made people unable to see Christ's life and all Biblical accounts of life in the Old and New Testament passages as true records of past events--History.

Because the powers at the time, the Romans, controlled what was recorded into historical books. But God, by His will saved Scriptures that were later found. By His Spirit, He still reveals His true plans and purposes to chosen people throughout generations.

Jesus said the work of the Holy Spirit, when He was gone, would be to teach and remind followers of His Word--John 16:13.

Without the help of the Holy Spirit, we err. Because false Judeo Christian beliefs corrupted history, for power and commercial gains. Without the Holy Spirit, we run the risk of believing a false narrative of history, that lacks true foundation and the parameters necessary for building a just and godly community of people where there's peace and harmony.

Reading through Psalm 49, the plight of humankind is to be pitied, for trust is no longer in God, but on things and false gods.

Psalm 107, reminds us that God punishes nations that turn to worship idols by allowing rivers to dry up; instead of flourishing fields and bountiful harvests, wastelands and deserts--Psalm 107:43. "Those who are wise will take all this to heart, they will see in our history the faithful love of the LORD."

Since the desire of every nation is for growth and prosperity, what should we do to avoid God's punishment?

May we not grow a thousand acres and harvest only one.

Also, the suffering of people we have seen through history, has been a necessary part of learning, for strength and wisdom. Without which we fail to grow in endurance, which leads to character formation, and transformed lives.

For in Christ, we can do all things--Philippians 4:13.

Copyright--Ofonmbuk Ufot--2025