Once Upon A Time

eDevotion

Encouragement for your daily walk with God 

I think I already know the answer to this question, but I’m going to ask it anyway. Have you ever read a story that began with the words, “Once upon a time...?” They are familiar words, which usually introduce a fable or tale whose reality could be questioned. Factual or not, the stories are often entertaining.

Next question. Are you aware that some people believe that is how one should consider the Bible? Their claim is that the Bible is merely story book, a collection of tall tales and fanciful fables, or as country folk might say, a “good yarn” spun and embellished over time. With that kind of belief, why should anyone believe what the Bible says?

Before I can answer that question, consider this. When Luke, the physician/historian, introduced his account of the God story (the books of Luke and Acts), he stated that he had thoroughly investigated historical events. In his own words, “Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you...” [Luke 1:3]. 

In other words, “Once upon a time” was not good enough. He recorded an accurate account of real people who lived at a specific time and place in history, which can be substantiated by history. Facts — factual and trustworthy. The events he recorded didn’t happen “in a galaxy far, far away.” It doesn’t “prove” the Bible is true, but it makes it a trustworthy document.  

That’s the point of this eDevotion. You can trust in the trustworthiness of God’s word. Because of that, I accept God’s invitation to repent, confident there is full, free, and complete forgiveness. I accept that my redemption offers power over the world, the flesh, and the devil. I have complete confidence in the resurrection of Jesus that secures my salvation and offers a reward of heaven.

Once upon a time is a good start to a child’s fable or tale, but I need more than that. I need a truth that saves. That’s why I turn to the Bible. God’s Word is my confidence and my hope – I can depend on it’s trustworthiness. 

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar—when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and Traconitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene—during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the desert. He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Luke 3:1-3