Old Testament

 

I looked around the table at the teens eating waffles on our last day of Seminary for the semester.

We have studied and learned so much in this semester in the Old Testament.

"How would you sum up the message of the Old Testament?  What have you seen or felt over and over again?"  I waited, curious at how they would respond.

"Prophets.  There were lots of prophets warning people."

"People mess up a lot even badly."

"And yet...." I prompt and wait.

"God still loves them." The others nod their heads.

"God gives second chances," one student firmly states.

"And third chances and fourth," adds another. 

I smile and the Spirit testifies that they have picked up part of the important messages.

"What else?" I continue.

"Even though He loves us He still requires us to be obedient.  Love isn't just letting them do whatever they want."

Then we talked about the Abrahamic Covenant and how Heavenly Father always keeps his promises when we fulfill our end of the covenant . 

We may have to wait a long time.  We may even think the possibility of fulfillment has passed.

But our God is a God of miracles and often those come after or in the waiting. 

We talked about those who learned this lesson- Sarah, Abraham, Joseph, Daniel, Jonah, Ruth, Esther.  

We talked of finding and following our holy purpose.  

And how ALL of those lessons come back to these simple truths.

We were created in God's image.  

We are very imperfect but deeply loved so a Savior was sent to redeem us.  

In return for that divine intervention we are asked to love Him back and to show that love by being obedient.  

That prophets will be sent to guide us.

Keeping covenants won't guarantee that life won't be hard and difficult but it guarantees that we can call on His mercy and  grace to help us through it.  

That we can forgive and be forgiven.  

And that the windows of Heaven will be opened and all promised blessings will come in time.  

I look around again and am grateful.  

Grateful for the blessings this calling brings and the way learning in the Old Testament with these amazing souls has changed my heart for the better.