IN ORDER THAT WE MIGHT KNOW

Why were the Scriptures written? One answer to this question is found in verse 18, “for the generation to come”. As we think of this, we realize that God wants us to know about Himself and His ways. The immediate context of this verse is interesting. It is generally accepted that the psalm consists of a prophetic unfolding of the exercises of the Lord in Gethsemane. Note the heading of the psalm, “A Prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed, and poureth out his complaint to the Lord”. Verses 25-27 are definitely quoted as the words of the Father to the Son in Hebrews 1. 10-12. This being so, the psalm enables us to appreciate more deeply the holy exercise of the Lord as He faced Calvary. Our verse 18 is startling, in the position it occupies. It is as if suddenly the divine voice said, “This must be placed on permanent record, so that those to come may know, and be led to praise”.

This may well be considered to be one of the principles governing the giving of a written record: God wants us to know what He has done, what He is doing, and what He will yet do. He has not left us in ignorance.

Accepting that Scripture was written for the generations to come, we may well ask ourselves, How do I treat it? Do I believe it? Do I obey it? Do I communicate it? Pondering these questions convinces us that the existence of these holy Writings brings not only privilege but responsibility.

The N.T. continues this thought: “whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope”, Rom. 15. 4. God knew what our experiences would be, our trials, our persecutions, our failures, and in His Word He has given us strength and encouragement, telling us of triumph and glory. 1 Peter 1. 10-12 takes up the theme. After speaking of the words of the prophets, he says, “unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you”. Note in verse 11 that he speaks of “the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow”, taking us back again to Psalm 102.

“We thank Thee Lord indeed, that Thou Thy Word hast given; to light our path in this dark world, and safely guide to heaven.”