The Bible Reveals God (ESV Study Bible Article Excerpt)

One of the great values of the ESV Study Bible are the many articles found in the back of the Bible. For example, a few of these articles include:

Overview of the Bible: A survey of the History of Salvation by Vern S. Poythress

The Theology of the New Testament by Thomas R. Schreiner

Reading the Gospels and Acts by Darrell L. Bock

God’s Plan of Salvation by Mark Dever

Reading the Bible Theologically by J.I. Packer

Reading the Bible for Personal Application by David Powlison

Reading the Bible in Prayer and Communion with God by John Piper

This morning, I read Piper’s article on Reading the Bible in Prayer and Communion with God and found this helpful reminder:

God communicates with us in many ways through the Bible and seeks the response of our communion with him.

• If God indicts us (2 Cor. 7:8-10), we respond to him with sorrow and repentance.
  
• If he commends us (Ps. 18:19-20), we respond to him with humble gratitude and joy.
  
• If he commands us to do something (Matt. 28:19-20), we look to him for strength and resolve to obey with his help.
  
• If he makes a promise (Heb. 13:5-6), we marvel at his grace and trust him to do what he says.
  
• If he warns us of some danger (Luke 21:34), we take him seriously and watch with a thankful sense of his presence and protection.
  
• If he describes something about himself (Isa. 46:9-11), his Son (Mark 1:11), or his Holy Spirit (John 16:13-14), we affirm it and admire it and pray for clearer eyes to see and enjoy his greatness and beauty.

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