My Character
If you ever been written about or included in a story, it must be a special feeling to have when others recognize who you are because of the story. We all have a story to tell. In fact, our lives tell a story, and like every story it has its climax. Each day our story changes and it can go from a emotional rollercoaster type to a boring one in one day. Twists and turn in a story make it all the more interesting, but too many changes will make them all the more confusing. The bible is the story of an ever loving God(Neh9:17) in pursue of a rebellious people who plays hard to get, and is on a constant run from him(Eze2:3). The story has many main characters, some were evil and some were good. There was one character whose entrance to the story was prepared(Jh1:23). He was the main character and co-author of the story; Jesus Christ.
Psalms 40:7-8
7 Then I said, “Here I am, I have come—
it is written about me in the scroll.a]
8 I desire to do your will, my God;
your law is within my heart.”
One of the characters that stands out as a main character was Ezra the prophet. And, he after hearing that God’s people went back to taking pagan wives, angerly tears his clothes and prays in repentance for the people (ez9:3-4). Ezra is known as the father of Judaism, because he helped form the religion around the Torah (Word of God). Another character from this story of the bible that also stands out is Daniel. Now, Daniel is not just this guy who is delivered from the lions den, but one whose righteousness stands out from everyone else in those times (Dan1:8). In Daniel’s story we find introduction to two of heavens mighty angels Gabriel and Michael. As soon as Daniel begins to pray Gabriel is sent with the answer to his prayer (Dan9:21–22). And, Michael the Archangel is introduced to Daniel in combat and protect God’s people; those whose names are written in the book of life (Dan12:1). He was a man of visions and dream interpretations. After some of those visions Daniel had he woke up ill.
The third character of this great story of the bible that I want to address is from Habakkuk. The book relating to Habakkuk is more of a conversation that he had with God and one of the lessons that it teaches is that God responds when we speak with him. A central question that is found in the Habakkuk’s complaints is “Is God really good if the world is so unjust?” Habakkuk is a prophet who finds himself confronting God because of the evil in the world trying to pin him to the wall, but God’s divine’s response bring him assurance that judgement is coming. His famous words model confidence and trust in God even though want was felt all over (Hab3:17-18).
Our story is also found in the scriptures. There are writings in them that set forth a model for how our character should play out in this story of the bible. It begins with our entrance to the story in Jeremiah 1:5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” And, it continues describing how the man of God should be (2Tim2:24, 2Cor5:17) in order for the character play out according to how the story is to be. Our stories will be read before a magnitude of people both dead and alive (Rev20:12), and the question will be, will they like my story?
17 They refused to listen and failed to remember the miracles you performed among them. They became stiff-necked and in their rebellion appointed a leader in order to return to their slavery. But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love. Therefore you did not desert them,
3 He said: “Son of man, I am sending you to the Israelites, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against me; they and their ancestors have been in revolt against me to this very day.
23 John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’
3 When I heard this, I tore my tunic and cloak, pulled hair from my head and beard and sat down appalled. 4 Then everyone who trembled at the words of the God of Israel gathered around me because of this unfaithfulness of the exiles. And I sat there appalled until the evening sacrifice.
8 But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way.
21 while I was still in prayer, Gabriel, the man I had seen in the earlier vision, came to me in swift flight about the time of the evening sacrifice. 22 He instructed me and said to me, “Daniel, I have now come to give you insight and understanding.
“At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered.
Habakkuk 3:17-18
17 Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls,
18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.
Jeremiah 1:5
“Before I formed you in the womb I knewa] you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
2 Timothy 2:24
24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.