Reading His History

When looking closely at how the narrative of world history has been developed, one can see the hand of God.

Looking at world history from either a western point of view, eastern or other, we can see God's purpose having been fulfilled.

With what was to become known as the nation of Israel, we see God's handiwork in bridging eastern and western cultures.

The scattering of the northern kingdom, namely Israel, would centuries later allow for the promulgation of the message of Christ.

Through eviction of these people, God's good will was being planted...to be reaped centuries later.

This scattering brought information about the ancient drama between God and the choices He's made with certain people...and will make.

This saga began personally and privately with few individuals and now has been established for the public while still existing on a personal level.

The Greek empire brought together trading partners from various backgrounds, and Jewish efforts were disseminated into mainstream society...according to God's plan.

Greek trading routes made way for what would become the Roman roads of commerce...and today they are roadways and railways that you and I can use, connecting what is called the east with the west...and beyond.

It was upon the Roman built roads that the feet of those carrying the Good News would traverse.

Greek and Roman systems of law and rights would become the foundations of modern legal systems.

With all the good that was wrought from these human efforts, the bad also sealed their fate while granting us many historical lessons.

The things men take pride in and find human strength in would be the very things that destroyed them.

The same can be said about all other human efforts on earth when searching for the good among the bad.

Can we not relate?

During the same period of time, the Persian empire also brought unity, trading conformity and legal systems.

It also experienced its downfall due to human failures, while God's purpose was forwarded (consider the visit of the Magi to the infant Christ and that people's ancient prophecies of a Savior).

Mankind's common pattern is evident throughout mankind's history...even our individual lives.

In later times the Spanish empire brought the news of Christ to other places, which was good, and it fell because of the bad it committed.

It should be no surprise that the same year Islam was ejected from Spain, Christopher Columbus would arrive in the Americas.

Truly there are key turning points in our mutual history...and if we look closely, we can see that nothing is by chance or accident.

The Spanish empire may have disintegrated after fulfilling its good purpose due to the manner it treated the evicted Muslims, maybe also because it was forcing the Christian religion instead of serving its example in Christ.

We can see very clearly, even today, local, regional and international events playing out for the good of God's purpose while also punishing those who act upon their own will.

What will be your legacy?

We can identify with nations has a whole as we can with individual people across the face of earth.

What will your legacy be?

Will it be easy for others to see the good that has come through you, like how saints are kindly remembered, or will your name leave a negative tone in the accounting of our lives?

While considering your personal history, or that of the earthly things you may take pride in, ponder:

As the heavens are higher than the earth, 

   so are My ways higher than your ways 

     and My thoughts than your thoughts. 

As the rain and the snow 

   come down from heaven, 

     and do not return to it 

   without watering the earth 

and making it bud and flourish, 

   so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, 

     so is My Word that goes out from My mouth 

It will not return to Me empty, 

   but will accomplish what I desire 

     and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. 

- Isaiah 55: 9-11