1/20/24 “Supporting the Hands of Godly Leaders” (Daily Bible Reading: Exodus 16-18)

“So, Joshua did as Moses said to him, and fought with Amalek. And Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. And, so it was, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses' hands became heavy; so, they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. And Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun” (Exodus 17:10-12).

How do you feel about those who lead? Do you find yourself tending to be critical of those who lead or supportive of those who lead? Being a leader can be a lonely position when you don’t feel the support of those whom you are attempting to lead.

As Moses leads the Israelites out of Egypt, he is doing his best to serve God and lead God’s people to the Promised Land which God has given them. However, within a very short period of time, Israel begins heaping criticism upon his leadership. For example, within a few weeks of God’s wiping out Pharaoh and his army by drowning them in the Red Sea, Israel begins complaining to Moses about not having anything to drink (Exodus 15:23-25). Within a month of leaving the slavery of Egypt, God’s people rise up again Moses and Aaron and begin complaining about having a lack of food and even express a desire wishing they had died back in Egypt (Exodus 16:2-3). Again, as they continue their journey from the Wilderness of Sin and encamp at Rephidim, the people complain against Moses and accuse him of bringing them out of Egypt with a motive of trying to kill them with thirst (Exodus 17:1-3). Each time the people complained, Moses, as a godly leader, worked with God and God provided for the people’s needs. There appears to have been no gratitude on part of the people to thank Moses for what he was doing. Being God’s leader was an unappreciated position of service.

As if he was not faced with enough challenges, now Moses has to deal with an attack by the Amalekites upon God’s people (Exodus 17:8). Moses calls upon Joshua to gather some men and go and fight against Amalek. Moses goes to the top of the hill and oversees this battle with the rod of God in his hand (Exodus 17:9). Then, as the opening verses describe, as he holds the rod of God up, God’s people prevail; but, when he is too weak to hold it up, Amalek prevails (Acts 17:10-11). Thankfully, Moses had Aaron and Hur to support his hands and keep them held up so Israel could claim the victory (Exodus 17:12). Without their support, Israel would have not won this battle.

The church needs a lot more people like Aaron and Hur who stand behind godly leaders and offer them their support. Godly leaders have to make very difficult decisions at times, lead the church through the ups and downs, all in an effort to help God’s people towards our Promised Land of Heaven (cf. Hebrews 13:17). At times, like Moses, they hear a lot of criticism from those they are attempting to lead. Many leaders become discouraged and simply give up their leadership positions.

Whether they be elders, preachers, teachers, or other types of servants of God, like Aaron and Hur we should be there beside them to hold up their hands. So often we allow ourselves to become tools of Satan by being critical of a preacher for preaching too long, or a teacher for not being “dynamic” enough, or elders for not making the decisions we think they ought. Satan is doing his best to discourage them in their efforts to serve God. Don’t allow him to use you as his tool to discourage these fellow servants of God. Today, think of someone who is striving to serve God and pray for them and speak a word of encouragement to them.

“And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24).

1/19/24 “Stand Still and See the Salvation of the Lord” (Daily Bible Reading: Exodus 13-15)

“And Moses said to the people, ‘Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace’” (Exodus 14:13-14).

Have there been times in your life when you were so overwhelmed by your fears that you forsook your faith in God to help you? Upon honest examination, many of us can relate to times in our lives when we allowed our fears to get the best of us and we struggled with keeping our faith in God.

God had delivered Israel from Egyptian bondage through a series of plagues which he brought upon the Egyptians. The final plague was the death of all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, except those who had observed the Passover by putting the blood of the lamb on the doorpost and lintel of their houses in which they stayed (Exodus 12:6-13). After this terrible plague, the Egyptians urged the Israelites to leave and even gave them their goods to do so (Exodus 12:32-36). Through these series of plagues, God had given His people numerous reasons to place their faith in Him!

The children of Israel begin marching out of Egypt as God directs them (Exodus 13:18). God was displaying his direction and guidance of Israel by going before them in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night (Exodus 13:21-22). Israel could see God’s presence among them. However, after they leave Egypt, Pharaoh begins having second thoughts about letting them go. In fact, he and his army pursue the Israelites and overtake them by the Red Sea at Pi Hahiroth (Exodus 15:5-9). Now their worst fears have come upon them, the Egyptian army is threatening their lives.

How do they react to this? “And when Pharaoh drew near, the children of Israel lifted their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians marched after them. So, they were very afraid, and the children of Israel cried out to the Lord. Then they said to Moses, ‘Because there were no graves in Egypt, have you taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you so dealt with us, to bring us up out of Egypt? Is this not the word that we told you in Egypt, saying, “Let us alone that we may serve the Egyptians?” For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than that we should die in the wilderness’” (Exodus 14:9-12). They were so overwhelmed by their fears they actually preferred to go back to Egyptian slavery than to deal with their fears. The Israelites had abandoned their faith in God!

As the opening verses above indicate, Moses encourages the people to keep their faith in God. He tells the people: “Do not be afraid, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today” (Exodus 14:13). The Angel of God temporarily blocks the Egyptian pursuit and Moses stretches his hand over the Red Sea and the waters are divided (Exodus 14:19-21). Israel passes through the midst of the sea and, as the Egyptians pursue them, the Lord troubles the army of the Egyptians by taking off the wheels of their chariots (Exodus 14:22-25). After the Israelites finish crossing the sea, Moses stretches out his hand over the sea and Pharaoh and his army are drowned as the waters of the sea come upon them (Exodus 14:26-30).

How often do I react like these Israelites? Instead of placing my faith in God, standing still, and remembering His power to deliver me, so often I take my eye off God and focus on the fears I am facing. When I do so, like the ancient Israelites, I make myself miserable by allowing myself to be overwhelmed by my fears. I rejoice that God encourages me to place my faith in Him. Today, I will strive to stand still and look for God and how He will deliver me from whatever fears I face!

“The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them” (Psalm 34:7).

1/18/24 “Our Passover Lamb” (Daily Bible Reading: Exodus 9-12)

“For I will pass through the land of Egypt on that night, and will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the Lord. Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.” (Exodus 12:12-13).

How important is justice to you? All of us want to live in a world where justice is carried out. We want those who commit crimes and hurt others to be punished. However, we are less eager for justice to be carried out when we’ve done the wrong. During such times, we hope mercy will be shown to us.

As the verse above indicates, God’s final judgment had come upon Pharaoh and the Egyptians. God had sent multiple plagues upon the Egyptians in an effort to open Pharaoh’s eyes that God was the Lord and that Pharaoh should humble himself before God and let the Israelites go. However, instead of softening his heart and humbling himself before God, following each plague Pharaoh’s heart continued to grow harder and harder against God (cf. Exodus 8:15, 19, 32; 9:7, 12, 34; 10:20, 27; 11:10). In stubborn rebellion, Pharaoh refused to repent of his sin against God.

Pharaoh’s rebellion against God would have terrible consequences for him and his nation. God informed Moses of one final plague he was bringing upon Egypt: “And the Lord said to Moses, ‘I will bring yet one more plague on Pharaoh and on Egypt. Afterward he will let you go from here. When he lets you go, he will surely drive you out of here altogether’” (Exodus 11:1). Moses informed his people of the details of this terrible plague: “Then Moses said, ‘Thus says the Lord: “About midnight I will go out into the midst of Egypt; and all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne, even to the firstborn of the female servant who is behind the handmill, and all the firstborn of the animals”’” (Exodus 11:4-5). Pharaoh’s sin would result in the death of all the firstborn children and animals in Egypt.

On the other hand, God had provided an opportunity for the Israelites to be spared of this judgment. God had instituted the Passover memorial for the Israelites. As the opening verses above indicate, God tells His people when He sees the blood of the lamb over their doorposts and lintels of their houses, He would pass over them and they would be spared this terrible plague of the death of their firstborn (Exodus 12:12-13). As the Israelites feared God and obeyed His instructions for them, instead of experiencing God wrath and judgment, they would experience God’s grace and mercy.

This section of Scripture reminds me of the dreadful consequences of sin. The end result of sin is death (Romans 6:23). My sins result in my deserving to die. However, like the Israelites, as a Christian, I have been given the opportunity to have my sins passed over through the sacrifice of Christ. Christ is my Passover Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7).

Praise God that I have been covered by the blood of Christ and have been spared of the terrible death I deserved. Praise God that I do not have to experience His wrath as did Pharaoh and the Egyptians. Today, I will remember that Christ is my Passover who bore my sins that I might be spared of God’s judgment over my sins. I enjoy God’s mercy and grace because I have been saved by the blood of the Lamb, Jesus Christ!

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23).

1/17/24 “Hearing God above the Circumstances” (Daily Bible Reading: Exodus 5-8)

“So, Moses spoke thus to the children of Israel; but they did not heed Moses, because of anguish of spirit and cruel bondage.” (Exodus 6:10).

Do you ever struggle with being able to listen to God because of the various trials going on in your life? Intellectually you know you should be focusing on what God has to say to you through His Word, but because of the difficulties through which you are going you find yourself not hearing Him.

Following the Lord’s encounter with Moses at the burning bush, Moses and Aaron come to the Israelites to tell them that the Lord has looked upon their affliction and has visited to them. God’s people welcome the news: “And Aaron spoke all the words which the Lord had spoken to Moses. Then he did the signs in the sight of the people. So, the people believed; and when they heard that the Lord had visited the children of Israel and that He had looked on their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshiped” (Exodus 4:30-31). The Israelites heard what God had to say to them.

However, following Moses’ initial request for Pharaoh to let Israel go and serve God, Pharaoh responded by adding additional burdens to the children of Israel and increasing the hardship of their slavery unto him (Exodus 5:5-19). Pharaoh assumed this request of Moses was made because the children of Israel were idle and had too much time on their hands. He orders the enslaved Israelites to go and get their own straw for the bricks they were making for him while not reducing their daily quota of bricks to be made. The Israelites could not keep up the daily quota of bricks under these circumstances and the Israelite officers in charge were beaten for failing to do this (Exodus 5:16).

These Israelite officers confront Moses and Aaron: “Then, as they came out from Pharaoh, they met Moses and Aaron who stood there to meet them. And they said to them, ‘Let the Lord look on you and judge, because you have made us abhorrent in the sight of Pharaoh and in the sight of his servants, to put a sword in their hand to kill us’” (Exodus 5:20-21). Things were becoming worse for them, not better, since they had decided to follow Moses in seeking for Pharaoh to let them go out of Egypt to worship God. It is safe to say they were very discouraged. Even Moses got disheartened by this: “So Moses returned to the Lord and said, ‘Lord, why have You brought trouble on this people? Why is it You have sent me? For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in Your name, he has done evil to this people; neither have You delivered Your people at all’” (Exodus 5:22-23).

In His response to these circumstances, God encouraged both Moses and the people by letting them know He was going to fulfill His promises to give them the Promised Land. God said, “I will take you as My people, and I will be your God. Then you shall know that I am the Lord your God who brings you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. And I will bring you into the land which I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; and I will give it to you as a heritage: I am the Lord." (Exodus 6:8-9). However, as the opening verse above indicates, the people were so discouraged by what had happened to them they refused to heed this promise of God (Exodus 6:9).

God has given us many precious promises throughout His Word (cf. 2 Peter 1:3-4). However, like Israel, we must guard against allowing the challenging circumstances we often find in our daily lives to drown out our ability to listen to God. I rejoice that God speaks to me through His Word. Today, I will strive to hear God above the circumstances that come into my life today!

“This is my comfort in my affliction, for Your word has given me life.” (Psalm 119:50).

1/16/24 “Called Out of the Comfort Zone” (Daily Bible Reading: Exodus 1-4).

“‘Come now, therefore, and I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring My people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.’ But Moses said to God, ‘Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?’” (Exodus 3:11)

How do you feel about trying something new or something which you had failed at before? For some of us it can be very challenging to try something new or something at which we had previously failed.

Moses was a great servant of God. He was the one who led God’s people out of the slavery of Egypt and towards the Promised Land God had given to them. However, as the opening verses above indicate, he did not exactly jump at the opportunity to lead God’s people out of Egypt. In fact, he is reluctant to do this. He says to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt”? (Exodus 3:11). Why was Moses so hesitant to do this?

Moses had been born during hard times for God’s people Israel. In Egypt, there arose a king who had forgotten all the good Joseph had done for Egypt (Exodus 1:8). Because he viewed the Israelites as a potential threat, he enslaved them (Exodus 1:9-14). Furthermore, Pharaoh tried to have all the male Hebrew children killed at birth (Exodus 1:15-22); but, in faith, Moses’ parents placed baby Moses in an ark by the river bank where he was later seen and picked up by Pharaoh’s own daughter (Hebrews 11:23; Exodus 2:1-6). Pharaoh’s daughter raised him up as her own and, through God’s providence, Moses’ own biological mother served as his nurse (Exodus 2:7-10).

As Moses grew, he learned of his Hebrew heritage from his mother. He understood the plight of his people and was willing to suffer with them (cf. Hebrews 11:24-26). In fact, when he was 40 years old, he had attempted to lead his people out of Egypt. On an occasion at that time, he saw an Egyptian beating one of his Hebrew brethren. He arose and killed the Egyptian (Exodus 2:11-12). He thought his brethren would rise up to follow him, but they did not (Acts 7:22-25). When he realizes Pharaoh had discovered he had killed an Egyptian and his Israelite brethren were not going to follow his lead, Moses fled Egypt (Exodus 2:13-15). Moses first attempt to lead the Israelites had failed!

At this time, Moses fled Egypt for the land of Midian (Exodus 2:15). While there he gets married, settles down, and has a family (Exodus 2:16-22). In fact, the Biblical text says that Moses “was content” to live there (Exodus 2:21). It appears he no longer had the strong desire to lead his brethren out of Egypt. Now, 40 years later (cf. Acts 7:30), Moses had found his “comfort zone”.

However, God had seen the affliction of His people and needs a leader to lead them out (Exodus 2:23-25). To whom did He turn? A man who had failed before and was now settled in his “comfort zone”. He calls Moses from the burning bush and tells Moses He has heard His people’s affliction and has come down to deliver them (Exodus 3:1-9). Although Moses tries to make excuses as to why he should not lead God’s people, God will not let him get away with excuses (cf. Exodus 3:10-14; 4:1-16). Moses is the man God has chosen and God will use him to lead his people!

What task does God have for me? Whether it is something new or something at which I had failed before, I must be willing to leave my “comfort zone”, not make excuses, and let God lead me to serve Him! God can use me to glorify Him by my life (Matthew 5:13-16). Today, I rejoice that, even with all my weakness and previous failures, God can use me for great things!

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).

1/15/24 “Carry Up My Bones from Here” (Daily Bible Reading: Genesis 48-50).

“And Joseph said to his brethren, ‘I am dying; but God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land to the land of which He swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.’ Then Joseph took an oath from the children of Israel, saying, ‘God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here.’” (Genesis 50:24-25).

When you die how much thought have you given to what is done with your body? If you plan to be buried, have you already picked out your burial plots as to wear your remains are to be laid?

Joseph had lived a faithful life in service to God. He had suffered much during his life such as being sold into slavery by his brothers (Genesis 37:28) and being wrongfully imprisoned regarding something he had not done (Genesis 39:20). However, in the midst of his suffering he remained faithful to God. God blessed Joseph by giving him favor amongst those whom he found himself (Genesis 39:2, 4, 21). In fact, God would use Joseph to save Israel from the coming famine by working in Joseph’s life so Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, would promote him to be in charge of preparing for and administering food during a great famine (Genesis 41:39-57). During the famine, Joseph’s brothers come to Egypt in search of food and Joseph provides it for them along with revealing himself to them (Genesis 45:3-8). He invites them, along with their father Jacob, to come and live in Egypt (Genesis 45:9-15). His brothers go back, get their father, and come back to Egypt and they experience a wonderful family reunion (Genesis 46:26-30). Joseph had certainly lived a full life in which he walked both in the valley of sorrows and on the mountaintops of great joys!

When Joseph was in the midst of all the suffering he experienced, what had enabled him to hold on and not give up? As he found himself sold in slavery by his own brothers or in the prison dungeon for a crime he did not commit, why did he not just “throw in the towel” or even start blaming God for allowing these things to happen to him? It was his hope in God. He clung to his hope that God would sustain him through these terrible trials and provide for him a better future. What was his hope?

Joseph’s hope was that God would give His people Israel the Promised Land of Canaan and a Savior to save the world. This hope was based on promises God had made to Joseph’s great grandfather Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3; 15:4-5, 13-16; 22:15-18), his grandfather Isaac (Genesis 26:2-5), and his own father Jacob (Genesis 28:13-15). Joseph’s belief in these promises of God is evident from the instructions he gives regarding what is to be done with his bones when he dies. Along with his father Jacob (cf. Genesis 47:29-30), as the opening verses above indicate, he did not want his bones left in Egypt. He wanted them to be buried in the Promised Land of Canaan (Genesis 50:24-25). Even as Joseph lay dying, his hope in God’s fulfilling His promises sustained him!

As I go through the ups and downs of life, do I cling to the promises God has made to me regarding my future? As Christians, through the blood of Christ, God has saved us from our sins (Matthew 26:28). We also have hope that our bones will not be left here on earth, but will be resurrected from the grave (John 11:25-26). Today, I will cling to God’s promises and allow them to sustain me!

“Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath, that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us. This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil (Hebrews 6:17-19).

1/14/24 “Family Reunions” (Daily Bible Reading: Genesis 45-47).

“So, Joseph made ready his chariot and went up to Goshen to meet his father Israel; and he presented himself to him, and fell on his neck and wept on his neck a good while. And Israel said to Joseph, ‘Now let me die, since I have seen your face, because you are still alive’” (Genesis 46:29-30).

How do you feel about going to family reunions? Unless there is some kind of abuse or dysfunction going on in the family, many of us enjoy being reunited with our loved ones at such events.

A wonderful family reunion we read about in the Scriptures is when Jacob, his sons, and his sons family’s travel to Egypt to be reunited with Joseph. Jacob’s family was far from perfect. There was dysfunction going on as Jacob had loved Joseph more than his other children (Genesis 37:3). This led to his other children hating Joseph (Genesis 37:4). His others sons later sold Joseph into slavery (Genesis 37:28) and lied to Jacob by deceiving him into thinking Joseph was dead (Genesis 37:31-33). This brought about great heartache for Jacob who for years bore the pain of thinking his beloved Joseph was dead (Genesis 37:34-35; cf. 42:4; 43:14).

However, Joseph himself had done much to help heal the dysfunction in his family by practicing forgiveness. When he was managing the famine that was happening in that region of the world by dispersing the grain that was still in Egypt (cf. Genesis 41:56-57), his brothers had come to him seeking grain (Genesis 42:3-6). After testing them (Genesis 42:15-45:4), Joseph reveals himself to them, and says, ‘But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life’” (Genesis 45:5; cf. 50:20). He had let go of the pain of the hurt they had caused him and had looked up to God and saw how God was working in his life to do good. Joseph realized one has to let go of the pain of the hurt caused them by others before healing can take place. This comes by practicing forgiveness towards those who hurt us.

After initially revealing himself to his brothers, Joseph sends them back to bring their father Jacob to Egypt (Genesis 45:9-13). Can you imagine how Jacob must have felt upon hearing the news Joseph was alive? The Scriptures say that when he heard this news his heart stood still (Genesis 45:26). Jacob gathers all the family, some 66 persons in all (Genesis 46:5-25, 26) and heads to Egypt. Joseph gathers the 4 people in his family including himself to meet them (Genesis 46:27). As the opening verses above show, when Joseph and Jacob see each other again, they embrace and weep in a joy-filled family reunion.

No matter what kind of dysfunction or pain we main have in our physical families, it is important to remember that as Christians we have a spiritual family in the church. The church is filled with our brothers and sisters in Christ. By remaining faithful to Christ, we can look forward to spending eternity with all of them in heaven. However, just as in any family, the church is not perfect. At times, we hurt each other and we must practice forgiveness for healing to take place (Ephesians 4:32). I rejoice that God has given me a spiritual family in the church. I will do my part to help my spiritual family function in a healthy way by loving them, practicing forgiveness, and looking forward and assembling at the family reunions we have on this earth as we meet each week to worship God!

“And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching (Hebrews 10:24-25).

1/13/24 “Behind the Scenes, God Is at Work” (Daily Bible Reading: Genesis 41-44)

“Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘Inasmuch as God has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. You shall be over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word; only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you’” (Genesis 41:39-40).

When you are experiencing challenging trials in your life, have you ever wondered what God is doing to help? Is He doing anything or just letting you endure your challenges all by yourself?

During such times, if you have questioned how God is acting on your behalf, you are not alone. For example, King David stated, “How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me? How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? How long will my enemy be exalted over me?” (Psalm 13:1-2). It is understandable for us as humans, who have limitations in our understanding of all things, to wonder what God is doing to help us?

Joseph experienced challenging trials in his life. He had been sold into slavery by his own brothers (Genesis 37:28). Later, he is cast into prison after being falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife (Genesis 39:20). Again, he is forgotten by the chief butler, whose dream he had interpreted, as the chief butler fails to mention his name to Pharaoh to request that he consider Joseph’s case (Genesis 40:14-15, 23). As Joseph continues to faithfully serve God and honor Him by his godly living, Joseph must have questioned: “God, what are you doing to help me and why am I suffering all of this?”

However, even though he did not necessarily know what good God was going to accomplish through the trials Joseph was enduring, it appears Joseph was aware that God’s blessings were upon him. After all, he had gained initially gained great favor in Potiphar’s house (Genesis 39:2-5). He had even gained favor in the eyes of the keeper of the prison who committed to Joseph’s hand the well-being of the prisoners (Genesis 39:21-23). I imagine Joseph knew God was at work on his behalf, but was puzzled as he thought: “What exactly is God trying to accomplish in my life?”

Two years after he had interpreted the chief butlers dream (Genesis 41:1), as Joseph was trying to put the pieces of this puzzle together, he receives word that he needs to get cleaned up, shaved, and put on some new clothes. He is being called up to see Pharaoh (Genesis 41:14). Pharaoh had a dream and he had heard that Joseph could interpret it (Genesis 41:1-13). Joseph stands before Pharaoh, interprets the dream about the upcoming famine, and advises Pharaoh on how to prepare for it (Genesis 41:15-37). The pieces of the puzzle of how God was using these trials Joseph was enduring to accomplish some good, must have begun to come in place in Joseph’s mind, when, as the opening verses above indicate, Pharaoh tells Joseph he will make him ruler over Egypt to prepare for this famine (Genesis 41:39-40). In fact, later, when Joseph’s brothers stand before him and he reveals himself to his brother, Joseph says to them, “And God sent me before you to preserve a posterity for you in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. So now it was not you who sent me here, but God; and He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt” (Genesis 45:7-8).

The account of how God worked in Joseph’s life reminds me God is accomplishing His Will in my life as well, even though I may not know all He is doing. Today, as I endure whatever challenges or trials that may come my way, I will remember that behind the scenes of what I see, God is at work!

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).

1/12/24 “Remaining Faithful in the Midst of Great Trials” Daily Bible Reading (Genesis 37-40)

“Then Midianite traders passed by; so, the brothers pulled Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. And they took Joseph to Egypt” (Genesis 37:28).

James writes, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials” (James 1:2). Do you enjoy going through trials? Many times, I find I can look back on the trials through which I have gone and see how God has helped me through them and helped me grow because I went through them; but, I don’t always handle things so well in the midst of the particular trials through which I am going.

Joseph, the 11th son of the Patriarch Jacob, endured some great trials in his life. As the opening passage above indicates, he was sold into slavery by his own brothers (Genesis 37:28). He had experienced great anguish in his soul and pleaded with his brothers not to do this to him (Genesis 42:21). Another trial he faced was being cast into prison following a false accusation made against him by Potiphar’s wife (Genesis 39:20). He faced these trials with no family to support or encourage him. How did Joseph show his faithfulness to God while he was in the midst of suffering great trials?

First, Joseph honored God by his godly living. When Joseph arrived in slavery in Egypt, he was sold to an officer of Pharaoh named Potiphar (Genesis 37:36). We have no indication that Joseph wallowed in self-pity as he found himself in these horrific circumstances. He didn’t blame God saying, “God why are you letting this happen to me?” Instead, Joseph just continues to honor God by serving faithfully in whatever capacity he finds himself. In fact, he serves Potiphar so well that Potiphar makes him master of his house (Genesis 39:1-4). Later, after being thrown in prison for a crime he did not commit, Joseph doesn’t give up in discouragement or dwell on protesting his innocence. Instead, he again honors God by his service (Genesis 39:22-23). Because Joseph honored God by his godly living, God blessed him and was with Joseph in all he did (Genesis 39:2, 5, 21, 23). Joseph did not let the terrible circumstances in which he found himself to dictate whether or not he would remain faithful to God.

A second way in which Joseph showed his faithfulness to God was by his fleeing temptation. While in charge of Potiphar’s house, Potiphar’s wife tempts Joseph to commit sexual immorality (Genesis 38:7). She did not do this just once, but on a daily basis (Genesis 38:10)! When one considers all that Joseph had endured, it must have been tempting for Joseph to want to find comfort in her arms. However, his commitment to remain faithful to God was far greater than any desire to give into this temptation. Notice his response: “But he refused and said to his master's wife, ‘Look, my master does not know what is with me in the house, and he has committed all that he has to my hand. There is no one greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?’” (Genesis 39:8-9). Joseph did not believe the trials he suffered gave him an excuse to cave into temptation!

I admit it is difficult to count trials a joy as I am going through them. I know I need to grow in this area and learn to do this. I find great encouragement from Joseph that it can be done! I refuse to allow the trials I face to cause me to give into temptation or dishonor God by ungodly living. Today, I will strive to follow Joseph’s godly example of how to remain faithful to God even in the midst of great trials!

“For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God” (1 Peter 1:19-20).

1/11/24 “Letting Go of the Pain by Practicing Forgiveness” (Daily Bible Reading: Genesis 33-36)

“Then he crossed over before them and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother. But Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept” (Genesis 33:3-4).

When you have been hurt by someone, how long do you choose to hold onto that pain? Do you dwell upon the hurt or do you choose to let the pain go by forgiving them or desiring to forgive them?

As Jacob returns back to Canaan, having spent 20 years in Padan Aram (Genesis 28:6; 31:38, 41), there were many thoughts in his mind. One of the main thoughts on his mind was how was his brother Esau going to react to seeing him? When Jacob had left Canaan, he was fleeing for his life because Esau wanted to kill him for Jacob’s having hurt him by coercing him to sell his birthright and for deceiving his father Isaac into giving his blessing to Jacob instead of him (Genesis 25:29-34; 27:1-29; 41). As he travels back to his homeland, Jacob becomes pained in his heart with worry because he hears reports of Esau coming to meet him with 400 of his men (Genesis 32:6). It is easy to understand why Jacob would assume that Esau had ill motives for doing this.

There must have been a lot of thoughts on Esau’s mind as well. Esau and Jacob had been twins. Since their time in the womb of their mother Rebekah they had been struggling against each other (cf. Genesis 25:21-23). Even as Rebekah gave birth, as Esau came out of the womb first, his brother Jacob was grabbing hold of his heel (Genesis 25:24-26). Growing up, Esau and Jacob experienced their parents’ showing favoritism towards each of them: Isaac loved Esau, but Rebekah loved Jacob (Genesis 25:27-28). Not only had Esau experienced the pain of parental favoritism, but then Jacob added to his brother’s pain by refusing to let him have some food unless Esau sold him his birthright and, later, by robbing him of Isaac’s blessing through deception (Genesis 25:29-34; 27:1-29). These brothers, Esau and Jacob, had taken the idea of “sibling rivalry” to the extreme!

All the pain of Esau’s rivalry with Jacob culminated following Jacob’s robbing Esau of Isaac’s blessing: “So Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing with which his father blessed him, and Esau said in his heart, ‘The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then I will kill my brother Jacob’” (Genesis 27:41). It is interesting that his mother Rebekah understood Esau “comforted” himself from the pain he felt at having been hurt by Jacob by having thoughts of revenge against and wanting to kill his brother (Genesis 27:42). Isaac and Rebekah send Jacob away to Rebekah’s brother Laban in Padan Aram. Their intent was to send him there for just a few days till Esau’s wrath subsided. What they thought would be a few days turned out to be 20 years (cf. Genesis 27:43-46; 31:38)!

As the opening verses above show, when Jacob and Esau meet again (Genesis 33:1-2), Esau forgives Jacob (Genesis 33:3-4). Esau is not typically depicted as an honorable character in the Bible. His descendants would be enemies of Jacob’s descendants for years to come. But in this instance, Esau demonstrates the forgiveness we should strive to practice towards those who hurt us.

May it not take me 20 years to let go of the pain others have caused me. Like Jacob, I have caused pain to others. I need to be forgiven. I have been blessed to experience God’s forgiveness of me. Today, I refuse to “comfort” myself by thoughts of revenge against those who have hurt me. Instead, I strive to “comfort” myself by letting go of the pain others have caused me by practicing forgiveness.

“And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32).

1/10/24 “Wrestling with God and Our Anxieties” (Daily Bible Reading: Genesis 30-32)

“Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day. Now when He saw that He did not prevail against him, He touched the socket of his hip; and the socket of Jacob's hip was out of joint as He wrestled with him. And He said, ‘Let Me go, for the day breaks.’ But he said, ‘I will not let You go unless You bless me!’ So, He said to him, ‘What is your name?’ He said, ‘Jacob.’ And He said, ‘Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed’” (Genesis 32:24-28).

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S., affecting 40 million adults in the United States age 18 and older (i.e., 19% of U.S. population, http://www.adaa.org/about-adaa/press-room/facts-statistics). While all “feelings” of anxiety should not be classified as a “disorder”, as a society many of us struggle with anxiety. Do you fight with having anxiety? How do you cope with it?

As Jacob journeys back to his homeland of Canaan, Jacob had some concerns that weighed on his heart. When he had left his parents 20 years earlier, it was because his brother Esau had hated him for his having stolen both Esau’s birthright and blessing. Esau had wanted to kill Jacob (cf. Genesis 25:29-34; 27:1-29; 41). Jacob battled with anxiety regarding how Esau would receive him now.

As he heads home, Jacob discovers that Esau was coming to meet him with over 400 men (Genesis 32:6)! He is scared (Genesis 32:7). What should he do? First, he devises his own plan as divides the people and the animals that were with him into two companies. With a scarcity mentality, it appears he thought: “If Esau attacked the one, then at least the other company could escape to live on” (Genesis 32:7-8). In addition, to his credit, Jacob calls upon God in prayer, clinging to the promises God had made to bless him, and asking God to deliver him from Esau (Genesis 32:9-12). Moreover, after sleeping with racing thoughts running through his head of Esau coming to attack him, Jacob comes up with another plan to solve his worries about Esau: He sends droves of animals which he has acquired ahead of him by the hands of his servants as gifts to Esau (Genesis 32:13-21).

However, Jacob’s worries have not left his heart in spite of all his efforts. He is still uncertain of how Esau will react to his coming home to Canaan. As the opening verses above indicate, after sending his family over the ford of Jabbok (Genesis 31:22-23), Jacob engages in an all-night wrestling match with the Angel of the Lord (Genesis 32:24-24; cf. Hosea 12:4). Jacob cries out for God’s blessing and receives it. Jacob’s name is changed to Israel meaning “Prince with God” (Genesis 32:25-28). God blesses Jacob once again and Jacob continues on his journey with a limp in his walk from his wrestling match, but peace in his heart as he is assured of God’s blessing (Genesis 32:29-32).

I can certainly relate to Jacob. Many times, in my own life I have had to battle with my fears and anxieties. Sometimes, like Jacob, I have futility tried to use worldly tactics to overcome my fears. At other times, I have tried to figuratively wrestle with God (e.g., by blaming Him or doubting Him). Somehow, God puts up with me! While it is better if I just submit to God and His Will, I believe God knows there are times where, in vain, I will attempt to wrestle with Him. God is willing to endure me in this so I can learn about my own foolishness. I praise God who is so longsuffering in dealing with me. Today, I will seek to cast my anxieties upon God instead of trying to wrestle with Him!

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).

1/9/24 “Perfecting My Imperfect Faith” (Daily Bible Reading: Genesis 27-29)

“Then Jacob made a vow, saying, ‘If God will be with me, and keep me in this way that I am going, and give me bread to eat and clothing to put on, so that I come back to my father's house in peace, then the Lord shall be my God. And this stone which I have set as a pillar shall be God's house, and of all that You give me I will surely give a tenth to You’” (Gen. 28:20-22)

How do you feel about your faith in God? When you read about some of the great men and women of faith in the Bible such as Abraham and Sarah, do you come away thinking, “I wish I had that much faith in God”? Do you sometimes wonder whether or not your faith in God will grow?

In the Old Testament, Jacob, like Peter in the New Testament, is one of my favorite Bible characters. He grew up in a dysfunctional family where his parents Isaac and Rebekah each had their favorite child (cf. Genesis 25:28). He grew up letting sin dominate his life. For example, he coerced his brother Isaac into selling him his birthright (Genesis 25:33-34). Furthermore, later, he worked together with his mother Rebekah to deceive his father Isaac into blessing him with the blessing his father intended to give to his brother Esau (Genesis 27:1-29). Jacob’s sin caught up with him and he was forced to leave home to escape the wrath of his brother Esau (Genesis 27:41-28:5).

Can you imagine how you would have felt if you were in Jacob’s shoes at this point in his life? He is leaving home all alone on a journey having no idea what will become of him. There were no loved ones to offer him support. He must have felt very alone and scared. However, he is in a perfect position for God to start working on him. As Jacob sleeps on his way to his uncle’s house in Haran, in a dream God shows him a vision of a ladder stretching up to heaven with angels ascending and descending upon it. God tells Jacob He will bless him (Genesis 28:10-15). As the opening verses above show, Jacob makes a vow and begins to place his faith and trust in God (Genesis 28:20-22).

His faith in God at this point is far from perfect. His statement above almost seems like he is trying to bargain with God. Moreover, later, when he returns back home, he is scared to see his brother Esau and tries to pacify Esau with lots of gifts (cf. Genesis 32:13-20). However, this decision of Jacob, to turn to God in faith during a time on His journey to Haran to see his uncle when he felt so desperate, he did not know where else to turn, was a starting place. God would take him from this starting place and help Jacob to develop a much deeper faith in God. Later in his life Jacob as he tells his son Joseph that his offspring would face their own challenges in the land of Egypt, Jacob would say, “Behold, I am dying, but God will be with you and bring you back to the land of your fathers” (Genesis 48:21). His confidence and faith in God’s power had grown over the course of his life.

Like Jacob there have been multiple times in my life where I have made a terrible mess of things by my own sin and poor choices. I have felt feelings of desperation being uncertain of where to turn. I thank God for His great faithfulness because I can always turn to Him. He is my Rock! Like Jacob, although my faith is not always perfect, I rejoice that God is willing to work on me to have me grow and develop a greater faith in Him. It is a great blessing to live a life of faith in God. Like Jacob, let God work on you to help you develop a greater faith in Him. Continue to turn to God in faith!

“I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces were not ashamed. This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them” (Psalm 34:4-7).

1/8/24 “Involving God in Our Decisions” (Daily Bible Reading: Genesis 24-26)

“So Abraham said to the oldest servant of his house, who ruled over all that he had, ‘Please, put your hand under my thigh, and I will make you swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and the God of the earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell; but you shall go to my country and to my family, and take a wife for my son Isaac’” (Genesis 24:2-4).

How do you go about making the decisions in your life? Do you gather the information, weigh the pros and cons of possible choices, and then make your decision? In decision making, what role should God play and how do we go about showing our trust in Him to be a part of those decisions?

Following the death of his beloved wife Sarah, Abraham is concerned about finding a wife for his son Isaac. In those days, parents took a very active role in selecting a mate for their children. As the opening verses above indicate, having been blessed with a wonderful godly mate himself, Abraham wanted to make sure that such a wife was found for his son Isaac (Genesis 24:2-4).

Abraham knew such a woman was not going to be found in the land where he was. Looking for love in the land of Canaan would be looking for love in all the wrong places. It was a land full of wicked people God would eventually destroy as He passed judgment upon them (cf. Genesis 15:15-16). Abraham trusts that God will provide a wife for his son from among his people as he tells his servant, “He will send His angel before you, and you shall take a wife for my son from there” (Genesis 24:7). Abraham did not know HOW God would accomplish providing a wife for his son Isaac, but he did TRUST that God would. In FAITH he sends his servant back to his homeland to find Isaac a wife.

Abraham’s servant heads to Abraham’s homeland unsure of how he is going to be able to find Isaac a wife (cf. Genesis 24:5). He comes to Nahor, the city from which Abraham’s family came (Genesis 24:10). As he is situated by a well outside the city, he offers up a prayer in faith to God: “"O Lord God of my master Abraham, please give me success this day, and show kindness to my master Abraham. Behold, here I stand by the well of water, and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water. Now let it be that the young woman to whom I say, 'Please let down your pitcher that I may drink,' and she says, 'Drink, and I will also give your camels a drink'--let her be the one You have appointed for Your servant Isaac. And by this I will know that You have shown kindness to my master” (Genesis 24:12-14). The servant looked to God for guidance in this decision.

Before he finishes speaking, God answers his prayer. Rebekah comes out gives him a drink of water and waters the camels as well (Genesis 24:15-19). Abraham’s servant rejoices and worships the Lord as he sees she is the wife which God has provided for Isaac (Genesis 24:21-27). The servant explains all to Rebekah’s family (Genesis 24:28-48), asks and gains permission to take Rebekah back to Isaac to be married to him (Genesis 24:29-61), and brings her to Isaac (Genesis 24:62-67).

Having a blessed life involves making good choices. However, making those choices involves much more than simply gathering information and weighing out the pros and cons of the different options available. We must involve God in our decisions and let Him play a major role in them. Even though we don’t know how He will act, we must go to Him in prayer trusting in His ability and His timetable to guide us through the choices before us. I rejoice that God is willing to play an active role in the decisions before me. Today, I will seek God’s guidance in the choices which are before me!

“There are many plans in a man's heart, Nevertheless the Lord's counsel--that will stand” (Proverbs 19:21).

1/7/24 “God Has Made Me Laugh” (Daily Bible Reading: Genesis 21-23)

“Now Abraham was one hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him. And Sarah said, ‘God has made me laugh, and all who hear will laugh with me’” (Genesis 21:5-6).

A comedian once said, “You can turn painful situations around through laughter. If you can find humor in anything, even poverty, you can survive it”. The author Victor Hugo stated, “Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face”. Laughter has an important role to play in our lives.

However, how many of us make it a point to take time to laugh? Do we take time to think upon God working in our lives, blessing us, and causing us to laugh because of the joy He has brought us? Jesus wants us to have joy. He said, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Our Lord wants us to “be of good cheer”!

Abraham and Sarah had a very strong desire to have a child together (cf. Genesis 15:2-4; 16:1-2). As the years of their marriage went by, the pain of being childless weighed on their hearts. Their hearts ached with grief as they saw other couples having children, but they had none. Frustrated, they had come up with schemes of their own, such as trying Abraham having a child through Sarah’s handmaid Hagar (Genesis 16:1-6), that had created even more problems for them. Later in their lives, as they continue to struggle with their faith in God, both Sarah and Abraham laugh when God reminded them that He would give them a child (Genesis 17:17-18; 18:10-15). Yet, they continued to place their faith in God that God one day would bless them with a child (Hebrews 11:11).

However, as the opening verses above describe, after Isaac was born, Sarah laughs again (Genesis 21:5-6). This is not a laugh filled with doubt. Rather, it is a laugh filled with faith and rejoicing that God had brought a precious child into their lives. All the pain that had been bottled deep down in Sarah’s heart over not having a baby for which to love and care, was released in an expression of abundant joy and she says, “God has made me laugh” (Genesis 21:6).

It is important for us to think on ways in which God makes us laugh because of the joy He has brought into our lives through His blessings. There are many trials and problems in the world. There always will be. Jesus told us there will always be tribulations (John 16:33). But He also said, He wants us to be of “good cheer” as we face these (John 16:33). So much of life is on what we choose to set our minds. Paul reminds us to think on the right things: “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things” (Philippians 4:8).

There are many things about which we can choose to laugh regarding the joy God has brought to us. We can laugh at the beauty of a sunrise, the blessing of our loved ones that God has brought into lives, and, certainly, the grace God has shown us in saving us from our sins through His beloved Son (John 3:16). Today, I will not allow tribulations of this world to weigh down my heart with pain, but I choose to meditate on the joy God has brought into my life and how He makes me to laugh!

“Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I will say, rejoice” (Philippians 4:6)!

1/6/24 “The Power of Ungodly Influence” (Daily Bible Reading: Genesis 18-20)

“But his wife looked back behind him, and she became a pillar of salt” (Genesis 19:26).

If I am a strong Christian, shouldn’t I be able to handle any situation in which I find myself and not be influenced by the surroundings in which I am? Do I really need to be concerned about where I go, what I listen to, what I watch on TV, and with whom I associate; or, is this just being legalistic?

The story of Abraham’s nephew, Lot, shows us the power that ungodly influences can have upon our lives and the lives of our family. Abraham and Lot had left their homeland of Haran and came to the land of Canaan, a land which God promised Abraham that his descendants would inherit (Genesis 11:31-12:5). God had blessed both Abraham and Lot to such a large degree that there was a need for them to separate so each could find land to support their flocks (Genesis 13:1-6).

Abraham deferred to Lot as to which part of the land he wanted to dwell (Genesis 13:8-9). How did Lot make his choice? In making this decision, Lot thought about the important natural resources the land provided for his livestock (Genesis 13:10-11), but did not consider the influence this area would have upon him and his family. As Lot pitched his tent near Sodom (Genesis 13:12), we read: “But the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinful against the Lord” (Genesis 13:13).

As the years passed by, Lot is described as having been a righteous man (2 Peter 2:7). He appears to have become a judge in Sodom (Genesis 19:9). He practiced hospitality to others (cf. Genesis 19:1-3). However, the city of Sodom had become more and more wicked. In fact, its sin had become so great that the outcry over its iniquity had reached God’s ears (Genesis 18:20-21). Furthermore, Lot himself had become “oppressed” by the filthy conduct of the wicked living there (2 Peter 2:7-8). God determined to destroy the city because He could not even find a total of 10 righteous souls living there (Genesis 18:17-18:33; 19:13). Lot is told to get out of the city (Genesis 19:12).

The power the ungodly influence Sodom had upon Lot and his family is first seen in their reactions to the news to leave Sodom. His sons-in-law refused to take the warning seriously and thought it was a joke (Genesis 19:14). Lot himself lingered at the thought of leaving and the 2 angels who came had to, literally, take his, his wife’s, and his daughter’s hands and bring them outside the city (Genesis 19:15-16). Furthermore, Lot hesitated in going to the mountains to which the angels encouraged him to flee; and, instead, wanted and did turn aside to another city, the city of Zoar (Genesis 19:17-23).

Secondly, the power the ungodly influence Sodom had upon Lot’s family is seen in their actions after leaving the city. After initially leaving the city, as the opening verses above indicate, Lot’s wife turned back to look at the city once again and turned into a pillar of salt (Genesis 19:26). In addition, Lot’s daughters, now widows following the deaths of their husbands who perished in Sodom, go into the mountains with their father, get him drunk, and commit incest with him (Genesis 19:30-38). Where did they get the idea to do such a horrible thing? There can be little doubt that Sodom’s ungodly influence had persuaded them to do such a thing which would forever shame them and their father.

Jesus taught us to pray for God not to lead us into temptation (Matthew 6:13). Both Paul and Peter said God will deliver us from temptations (1 Corinthians 10:13; 2 Peter 2:9). However, I need to make sure I am not leading myself into temptation by placing myself in situations where I am unduly influenced by ungodliness. Today, I will guard myself against the power of ungodly influences!

“Do not be deceived: "Evil company corrupts good habits” (1 Corinthians 15:33).

1/5/24 “Waiting for God” (Daily Bible Reading: Genesis 15-17)

“Now Sarai, Abram's wife, had borne him no children. And she had an Egyptian maidservant whose name was Hagar. So, Sarai said to Abram, ‘See now, the Lord has restrained me from bearing children. Please, go in to my maid; perhaps I shall obtain children by her.’ And Abram heeded the voice of Sarai” (Genesis 16:1-2).

Do you struggle with waiting for God to answer your prayers? Even heroes of faith endured this same challenge. Abram and Sarai were such servants who struggled with patiently waiting on God.

At age 75, Abram, later known as Abraham (Genesis 17:5), had left everything he had known (i.e., his country and his father’s house, Genesis 12:1) and by faith followed God to a land God promised him (Genesis 12:2-3). God told him He would make of him a great nation; yet, at this point in his life, Abram did not have even a single child. For years Abram follows God, but still has no children. One can hear the pain in Abram’s voice over being childless when he replies to God, “Lord God, what will You give me, seeing I go childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” (Genesis 15:2). Speaking to God, again he adds, “Look, You, have given me no offspring; indeed, one born in my house is my heir!” (Genesis 15:3). It pained Abram and his wife deeply that they had no children.

As He hears Abram expressing his pain to Him, God reassures Abram of the promise which He will fulfill: “And behold, the word of the Lord came to him, saying, ‘This one shall not be your heir, but one who will come from your own body shall be your heir.’ Then He brought him outside and said, ‘Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them.’ And He said to him, ‘So shall your descendants be’” (Genesis 15:4-5). To his credit, Abram once again responds in faith: “And he believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness” (Genesis 15:6).

However, as time goes by, Abram and Sarai continue to struggle with waiting for God to fulfill His promise to them for a child. Roughly 10 years after leaving his homeland, as she loses patience in waiting for the Lord, Sarai decides that, perhaps, God needs some help. As the opening verses above indicate, she encourages Abram to go into her handmaiden Hagar and bear her children through Hagar. Instead of waiting patiently on God, Abram heeds the voice Sarai (Genesis 16:1-2).

Immediately, their impatient plan to try to assist God creates all kinds of problems. Hagar begins to despise Sarai. Sarai then treats Hagar harshly. Hagar then runs away from Abram and Sarai’s home (Genesis 16:4-6). After Hagar initially leaves this home, the Angel of the Lord intervenes and Hagar returns (Genesis 15:7-13). At age 86, Abram becomes a father to a child, Ishmael, born to him apart from God’s plan for him and his wife Sarai (Genesis 15:15-16). Later, conflict would cause Ishmael and Hagar to ultimately have to leave Abram’s home (Genesis 21:9-14). A lot of innocent people, such as Hagar and Ishmael, got hurt because of the impatience of Abram and Sarai to wait on God.

Waiting on God to answer our prayers can be a great struggle, especially in a day and age where so many expect instant gratification. However, for true spiritual growth and maturity to occur we must develop patience. James writes, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing” (James 1:2-4). We need to let patience perfect its work by learning to wait on God. Today, as my faith is tested, I will wait patiently on God!

“But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31).

1/4/24 “Stepping Out on Faith” (Daily Bible Reading: Genesis 11-14).

“Now the Lord had said to Abram: "Get out of your country, from your family and from your father's house, to a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing” (Genesis 12:1-2).

Do you always like doing the same things or do you like to go like experiencing some new ventures? When we look through life through the eye of faith, every day can be a new adventure as we are seeking to grow in our relationship with God and experience how He is at work in our lives.

Following the Great Flood, the death of Noah, and the scattering of the people of the earth after the destruction of the towel at Babel, the next great important Biblical character we come to is Abram, who later will become known to us as Abraham (Genesis 17:5). As the opening verses above indicate, God called Abram on a great adventure (Genesis 12:1-2).

The great adventure God called Abram out on was not an easy one. God called Abram to leave his country, his family, and his father’s house (Genesis 12:1). At the time, Abram was 75 years old (Genesis 12:3).  Abram was in what we might call his “middle age” part of life (i.e., he would live to be 175 years old, Genesis 25:7). By this stage in his life, he was married, financially stable, and probably firmly set in a lot of his habits. In other words, he was comfortable.

God calls him to leave everything and He does not even tell Abram where exactly He is sending him. The Lord only says He is going to take him “to a land that I will show you” (Genesis 12:1). What would you do if you were in Abram’s shoes? Would you not want to ask God, “God, where exactly are we going and what can I expect to get when I get there?” Would you not also wonder, “God, how am I going to provide for my and myself once I get there?” God doesn’t tell him any of those details.

However, God does make some great promises to Abram. The Lord tells Abram that He will: (1) make of him a great nation, (2) make his name great, and (3) make him to be a blessing to all the families of the earth (Genesis 12:2-3). This last promise that in Abram all the families of the earth would be blessed was fulfilled by Christ who came from the lineage of Abram (Galatians 3:16-29).

For these precious promises that God made to Abram to be fulfilled there was something Abram must do. As those of us from the south like to say, he had to “git”. He had to get going on the adventure God had for him. He had to move forward in faith trusting in God’s promises more than allowing the fears of the unknown to overwhelm him. Abram moved out in faith: “So Abram departed as the Lord had spoken to him, and Lot went with him. And Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. Then Abram took Sarai his wife and Lot his brother's son, and all their possessions that they had gathered, and the people whom they had acquired in Haran, and they departed to go to the land of Canaan. So, they came to the land of Canaan” (Genesis 12:4-5).

Abram’s adventurous journey with God had its ups and downs. At times he showed great faith in God, at times he did not. However, over all he is commended to us as one of the heroes of faith we should all admire (cf. Hebrews 11:8-10, 17-19). I admire Abram as one of the heroes to whom I look up. Today, like Abram, I will step out on the adventuresome journey God has for me trusting in God’s promises and not allowing the fears of the unknown to overcome me!

“By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going” (Hebrews 11:8).

1/3/24 “The Rainbow Reminder that God keeps His Promises” (Daily Bible Reading: Genesis 7-10).

“It shall be, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the rainbow shall be seen in the cloud; and I will remember My covenant which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh” (Genesis 9:14-15).

Peter writes about the importance of the promises God makes: “As His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust” (2 Peter 1:3-4). How can we be sure that God keeps these “great and precious promises”?

The opening verses above were spoken by God to Noah following the great flood that destroyed every living thing upon the earth except Noah and those who were with him in the ark (Genesis 9:13-15). Can you imagine what it must have been like for Noah and his family at that time?

Because the wickedness of man had become exceedingly great (Genesis 6:11-12), God had told Noah to build an ark because He was going to bring a flood upon the earth that would destroy all flesh (Genesis 13-14). It had not even rained on the earth at this time (cf. Genesis 2:4-6). Noah had to trust in God’s promise that the rain would come and to come in such an overwhelming extent that it would flood the entire earth. Furthermore, he had to trust that the ark, whose design God had instructed Noah on how to build (Genesis 6:14-16), would float and be able to withstand this flood.

Noah clung to these promises of God as he, his family, and the animals entered the ark. Moreover, can you imagine what it must have been like for Noah and his family while they were in the ark? The massive downpour of rain and the rising of the flood waters must have been scary to behold. In addition, as the ark rose and was tossed about by the great flood, thoughts of wondering how this would all end must have entered in the hearts and minds of Noah’s family. Yet, they all endured this great trial because they trusted in God’s promises that He would save them (cf. Genesis 6:17-18).

After spending more than a year in the ark (cf. Genesis 7:11; 8:13-14), Noah, his family, and the animals that were with them exit the ark. As he does so, what does Noah do? He acknowledges God by building an altar and worshipping God: “Then Noah built an altar to the Lord, and took of every clean animal and of every clean bird, and offered burnt offerings on the altar” (Genesis 8:20). Noah rejoiced that God had been faithful to keep all the promises He had made to him.

As God smells the aroma of the sacrifices which Noah had made upon the altar, He makes a promise that He will never again bring a flood to destroy all the earth (Genesis 8:21-22). Moreover, as the opening verses above indicate, He set His rainbow in the clouds so that all men may be forever reminded that God is faithful to keep His promises (Genesis 9:11-17).

Like Noah, we face trials in our lives. As we face these challenges, we must cling to God’s promises. Today, I rejoice because, by the rainbow in the sky, I am reminded that no matter how great the obstacles I must overcome, I can trust in God because God is faithful to keep His promises.

“Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath, that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us” (Hebrews 6:17-18).

1/2/24 “Why Has Your Countenance Fallen?” (Daily Bible Reading: Genesis 4-6)

“So, the Lord said to Cain, ‘Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it’” (Genesis 4:6-7).

Since the Garden of Eden, man has struggled with the problem of sin (Genesis 3:1-8). Sin is simply the violation of God’s commands to us (1 John 3:4). All have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23). However, how do we react when we are confronted about our sin?

After being driven from the Garden of Eden because of their sin of eating the forbidden fruit (Genesis 3:22-24), Adam and Eve have 2 children named Cain and Abel (Genesis 4:1-2). Cain and Abel in worship offer sacrifices to God. Cain brings a sacrifice of the fruit of the ground, and Abel offers a sacrifice from the firstborn of his flock he was shepherding (Genesis 4:3-4).

God was pleased with Abel’s sacrifice, but not with Cain’s (Genesis 4:4-5). Why? Abel offered his sacrifice by faith (i.e., in accordance with God’s commands, Romans 10:17), Cain had not. Later we read, “By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks” (Hebrews 11:4). Cain had failed to follow what God had told him to offer in sacrifice to Him.

When Cain learns that God was not pleased with his sacrifice, how does he react? He becomes angry and his countenance falls (Genesis 5:5). In love God tries to encourage Cain. “So, the Lord said to Cain, ‘Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it’” (Genesis 4:6-7). God was eager to forgive Cain of the sin he had done, but Cain needed to acknowledge his wrong and repent of it by conforming to God’s Will.

However, how does Cain respond? Instead of humbling himself before God and repenting of his own sin, Cain responds by continuing further in sin by taking his anger out on his younger brother. He murders his own brother: “Now Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him” (Genesis 4:8).

God knew what Cain had done, even though Cain tried to deceive God saying, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Genesis 4:9). God heard Abel’s innocent blood crying to Him (Genesis 4:10). Cain would spend the rest of his life on earth as a fugitive and vagabond (Genesis 4:12). His descendants would become very ungodly and depart even further from God (cf. Lamech, Genesis 4:23-24). Ultimately, his descendants would make up those who perished in the great flood (Genesis 6:12-13).

Sadly, many today, when confronted about the sin they have committed, stubbornly resist God, and refuse to repent of their sin. I acknowledge that my own pride can lead me to try to cover up my sin and pretend it is not so bad. In love God reaches out to me through His Son Jesus Christ giving me an opportunity to be forgiven of my sin (John 3:16). However, instead of resisting God and clinging to my sin as Cain did, I must repent of the sins I have committed (cf. Luke 13:3). Today, I will strive to have humility when I am confronted by God or others about the sin which I have done!

“For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death” (2 Corinthians 7:10).

1/1/24 “Made in the Image of God” (Daily Bible Reading Genesis 1-3)

“Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’ So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them” (Genesis 1:26-27).

How do you feel about yourself? How good do you feel about who you are? Low self-esteem is a thinking disorder in which an individual will view him/herself as inadequate, unworthy, unlovable, and/or incompetent. Once formed, this negative view of self permeates every thought, producing faulty assumptions and ongoing self-defeating behavior. According to “The Self Esteem Book”, by Dr. Joe Rubino, 85% of the world's population is affected by low self-esteem.

As the opening passage above indicates, something which should boost our self-image is the knowledge that God has made us in His image (Genesis 1:26-27). The first chapter of Genesis reveals to us the awe-inspiring knowledge of how God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1). God speaks and things come into existence. God looks at what He has made and sees “that it was good” (Genesis 1:10, 12, 18, 21, 25).

Before finishing up everything which He has created, God makes man. However, man is made unique from all the other creatures in the creation. God makes man “in the image of God” (Genesis 1:27). Man is given a place of high honor as he is given dominion over all the other creatures of the creation. Regarding the man and woman whom He had just created we read, “Then God blessed them, and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.’ And God said, ‘See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food’” (Genesis 1:28-29). We can feel good about ourselves because we have been made in God’s image!

It is interesting that today women face greater battles than men regarding how they view themselves. In fact, 90% of all women want to change at least one aspect of their physical appearance. Moreover, 42% of 1st-3rd grade girls want to be thinner (Statistics - Center of Excellence for Eating Disorders (unc.edu) . Many ladies begin a negative view of themselves from an early age.

However, what does God think about women? It is interesting that the only thing God said was not good in His creation was a lonely man (Genesis 2:18). Man needed a mate and God made the perfect mate for him, a woman (Genesis 2:21-22). Adam rejoiced over the beautiful woman God had brought to him (Genesis 2:23).

One of the main reasons I believe so many do struggle with having a healthy self-worth is they don’t know or have forgotten they are made in the image of God. I realize, that like Adam and Eve, I struggle with sin and fail at times (cf. Genesis 3:1-7; Romans 3:23); however, I must not forget that God considers me special as He made me in His image and sent His Son to die for my sins so I can have the opportunity to live with Him forever. Today, I rejoice that I am made in the image of God!

“For You have made him a little lower than the angels, and You have crowned him with glory and honor. You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet” (Psalm 8:5-6).