Archaeology fascinates me. The awe-inspiring job of an archaeologist and their patience and persistence in excavating a discovery floors me. Their work is tedious and filthy, but the rewards keep them going. I love learning about historical remains that have withstood the test of time, especially when it comes to Scripture. Researching finds from ancient times was a tool that helped me to schlep out of prodigal status back into faith in Jesus and His Word and to resume my walk with Him. Jesus, of course, had never left me; I was the problem (Hebrews 13:5).
Recently, I watched a video about more discoveries in the caves found near the Dead Sea. In one cave an intact basket with the capacity of holding approximately twenty-four gallons was found. The basket dated back approximately 10,500 years https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/oldest-woven-basket-in-the-world-found-in-israel-dates-back-10000-years-662183. The cave it was discovered in was one that had been excavated back in the 1960’s and designated the “Cave of Horror” because of the skeletons found within it which date back to the first century BC https://www.abandonedspaces.com/public/cave-of-horror.html.
Archaeologists are people who keep at it.
All of Jesus’ disciples were proven to be people who kept at it; except for Judas, he had a different agenda (Luke 22:3; John 13:27). The person who stands out most for me is Paul. It’s strange that I feel that way now because when I first got back into the Bible, I had a bad attitude toward the Apostle Paul. He seemed smug to me and not very likeable. The fact that he had been trained as a Pharisee and was zealous in that role (Philippians 3:5-6) bothered me. So, I kept praying for the Lord to work in my heart towards the man who He converted on the Road to Damascus. I mean if Jesus chose him, who am I to … anyway, now I can’t get enough of Paul.
Researching his life, though, has brought with it endless questions for me. Different scholarly accounts and opinions about Paul are very contradictory. When I get baffled, I’m reminded of a friend’s advice to take the Bible at its Word. There are things we’d like to dig into more – many that are simply man’s speculation, but God’s Word is truth (John 17:17).
There’s no denying the leadership skills Paul had and how he pays them forward to us in his writings. The adversity he faced was immense at times (2 Corinthians 11:16-33), but Paul kept at preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
One of my favorites of his adventures is on the ship in Acts 27:13-44. At the start of their journey, Paul advised some of his shipmates that he perceived the voyage would be “with injury and much loss” (Acts 27:10), but no one paid attention to him (v. 11). Scripture tells of a vision Paul received from God. He passed it on to his shipmates to encourage them to keep at it (vv. 21-26). When some of the sailors felt that they were close to land, they tried to escape the ship, but Paul, fueled by God’s Word, convinced everyone to stay onboard for their safety (vv. 27-32). By the fourteenth day of their horrendous trip, Paul encouraged everyone to eat, knowing they’d all need strength for whatever was to come next (vv. 33-38). By the end of the trip, “… all were brought safely to land” (v. 44). They all had the fortitude to keep at it.
In my imagination, I picture each of the 276 people onboard that ship (v. 37) crawling onto dry land, staying on their knees, and praising the One True God.
In Celebrate Recovery we have a saying that mimics some of what the Apostle Paul teaches – “That’s why we keep coming back.” It’s a key reminder to everyone in attendance, whether they are regulars to meetings or first timers, that there is active commitment involved in overcoming our hurts, hang-ups, and habits.
The Apostle Paul calls it “endurance” and puts it to us like this:
“For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the
will of God you may receive what is promised.”
Hebrews 10:36 – ESV
“The will of God…” is trusting in Jesus and living daily in God’s will. “What is promised…” is salvation. The Message Bible says it this way:
“But you need to stick it out, staying with God’s plan
so you’ll be there for the promised completion.”
Hebrews 10:36 – The Message
It’s about running our race!
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,
let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely,
and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy
that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated
at the right hand of the throne of God.“
Hebrews 12:1-2 – ESV
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