Today’s Reading: Job 27-34; Psalm 40

Feeling alone in his misery, Job questioned the presence of God. Thinking he knew better, Job questioned the wisdom of God. Although he had been a faithful servant of God for years, Job was still unaware of just how great His God was.

QUESTIONING THE GREATNESS OF GOD

Are you currently questioning the wisdom of God regarding a situation in your life? Are you arguing with God? Are you angry with Him? Let’s look at some verses in Job to consider just how awesome and wise our God is — how worthy He is of our trust even in the most difficult times. Let us consider that God is greater than we can understand.

“Can you solve the mysteries of God?
Can you discover everything about the Almighty?
Such knowledge is higher than the heavens – and who are you?
It is deeper than the underworld – what do you know?
It is broader than the earth and wider than the sea?” – Job 11:7-9

“God stretches the northern sky over empty space and hangs the earth on nothing.
He wraps the rain in his thick clouds, and the clouds don’t burst with the weight.
He covers the face of the moon, shrouding it with clouds.
He created the horizon when he separated the waters; he set the boundary between day and night.
The foundations of heaven tremble; they shudder at his rebuke.
By his power the sea grew calm…
These are just the beginning of all that he does, merely a whisper of his power.
Who, then, can comprehend the thunder of his power?” – Job 26:7-12,14

“Look, God is all-powerful. Who is a teacher like him?
No one can tell him what to do, or say to him, ‘You have done wrong.’
Instead, glorify his mighty works, singing songs of praise…
Look, God is greater than we can understand. His years cannot be counted.” – Job 36:22-24,26

God, you are greater than we can comprehend. Help us to simply rest in your wisdom, submitting to your greatness and to your authority in our lives. Lord, give us the strength to let go of our need to understand and simply trust you. So when the reality we are facing is as bitter as our morning coffee, Lord, we ask for the gift of faith and the ability to trust in order to sweeten up our perspective. Thank you for loving us patiently when we lack understanding. We love you back! Amen.

I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire.
He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along.
He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see what he has done and be amazed.
They will put their trust in the Lord. – Psalm 40:1-3

Today’s Reading: Job 19-26

QUESTIONING THE WISDOM OF GOD

Job questioned God’s wisdom in even allowing him to be born if He was going to eventually let him suffer like this (Job 10:8-12,18-22). Job demonstrates here an internal conflict between being in awe of the power of God and being disappointed with the wisdom of God. In one breath he is speaking of how great God is and in another breath he is questioning the motives and decisions of God. If Job was without sin before the hard times came, he is now demonstrating his humanity and sin nature by questioning the authority of God.

More than that, Job was downright angry with God. Many of us can relate to a moment in our lives when we questioned God or asked “Why?” In our grief, we experience anger but there’s a difference between taking our anger to God and taking our anger out on God. I think this is where Job messes up. It is not a sin that he is experiencing human emotions in the midst of his grief and pain; it is what he does with the emotions that trip him up. Job is arguing with God and criticizing God’s wisdom.

One of my favorite passages of scripture is God’s reply to Job’s accusations. If there is something in your life that has left you questioning the wisdom of God, I encourage you to read through this passage. If you find yourself questioning the heart of God, let these words remind you of how much your Creator loves you.

Then the Lord answered Job from the whirlwind:
“Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorant words?
Brace yourself like a man, because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them.
Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?
Tell me, if you know so much.
Who determined its dimensions and stretched out the surveying line?
What supports its foundations and who laid its cornerstone as the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted with joy?

Who kept the sea inside its boundaries as it burst from the womb, and as I clothed it with clouds and wrapped it in thick darkness?
For I locked it behind barred gates, limiting its shores.
I said, ‘This far and no farther will you come. Here your proud waves must stop!’

“Have you ever commanded the morning to appear and caused the dawn to rise in the east?
Have you made daylight spread to the ends of the earth, to bring an end to the night’s wickedness? …

“Have you explored the springs from which the seas come?
Have you explored their depths?
Do you know where the gates of death are located?
Have you seen the gates of utter gloom?
Do you realize the extent of the earth?
Tell me about it if you know!

“Where does the light come from, and where does the darkness go?
Can you take each to its home?
Do you know how to get there?
But of course you know all this!
For you were born before it was all created, and you are so very experienced!” … – Job 38:1-13,16-21

Father God, I pray that you would help us to trust you even through the most difficult of situations. I pray that we would rest in your wisdom even when we do not get the answer we are praying for. When we do not understand the movement of God, may we trust the heart of God.

“God alone understands the way to wisdom; he knows where it can be found, for he looks throughout the whole earth and sees everything under the heavens.
He decided how hard the winds should blow and how much rain should fall.
He made the laws for the rain and laid out a path for the lightning.
Then he saw wisdom and evaluated it thoroughly.
And this is what he says to all humanity:
‘The fear of the Lord is true wisdom; to forsake evil is real understanding.’” – Job 28:23-28

Today’s Reading: Job 11-18, Psalm 30

“Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?” – Job 2:10

Job’s friends seemed to have an understanding of Job’s sufferings as if it was simply Job’s turn. He had been blessed for years and now it was his turn to suffer the realities of life. When they could have encouraged him, Job’s friends chose instead to mock him. Where is your faith, Job, and where are your confident words now that the shoe is on the other foot?

“Your words have supported those who were failing; you encouraged those with shaky knees. But now when trouble strikes, you lose heart. You are terrified when it touches you. Doesn’t your reverence for God give you confidence? Doesn’t your life of integrity give you hope?” – Job 4:4-6

When we are going through a difficult time, the words of our friends are powerful. They can speak life and truth into our situation, or they can speak defeat and discouragement. It is sometimes difficult to decipher the truth from lies when our emotions are high and we are exhausted from our circumstances. The power of words can either encourage us to persevere or cause us to fall into despair. Job followed the lead of his friends and began to question where God was.

QUESTIONING THE PRESENCE OF GOD

Job developed an attitude of self-pity and defeat. What good does it do to argue with God if He isn’t listening? Why cry out if He doesn’t bother to respond?

“So who am I that I should try to answer God or even reason with him? Even if I were right, I would have no defense. I could only plead for mercy. And even if I summoned him and he responded, I’m not sure he would listen to me. For he attacks me with a storm and repeatedly wounds me without cause. He will not let me catch my breath, but fills me instead with bitter sorrows. If it’s a question of strength, he’s the strong one. If it’s a matter of justice, who dares to summon him to court?” – Job 9:14-19

I agree with Elihu’s response to Job when he said, “But it is wrong to say God doesn’t listen, to say the Almighty isn’t concerned” (Job 35:13). It may feel at times as if God isn’t paying attention. Job felt that. The psalmist David felt that. Perhaps you are feeling that right now. Please let me encourage you with the truth that God loves you and He is never uninvolved, He is never uncaring and He never leaves you alone. Let’s pray the 30th Psalm together:

I give you all the credit, God—
you got me out of that mess, you didn’t let my foes gloat.
God, my God, I yelled for help and you put me together.
God, you pulled me out of the grave,
gave me another chance at life when I was down-and-out.
All you saints! Sing your hearts out to God! Thank him to his face!
He gets angry once in awhile, but across a lifetime there is only love.
The nights of crying your eyes out give way to days of laughter.
When things were going great I crowed, “I’ve got it made.
I’m God’s favorite. He made me king of the mountain.”
Then you looked the other way and I fell to pieces.
I called out to you, God; I laid my case before you:
“Can you sell me for a profit when I’m dead?
Auction me off at a cemetery yard sale?
When I’m ‘dust to dust’ my songs and stories of you won’t sell.
So listen! And be kind! Help me out of this!”
You did it: you changed wild lament into whirling dance;
You ripped off my black mourning band and decked me with wildflowers.
I’m about to burst with song; I can’t keep quiet about you.
God, my God, I can’t thank you enough. – Psalm 30, The Message

Today’s Reading: Job 1-10

ONCE UPON A TIME

There was once a man named Job who lived in the land of Uz. He was blameless – a man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil (Job 1:1). Most of us know the story. Job was a righteous man who had been blessed abundantly by God. He had a large family, lots of servants and lots of animals. He was, in fact, the richest person in that entire area (1:3).

Job lost everything when Satan challenged God regarding the faithfulness of Job. God allowed Satan to test Job by taking away his possessions and then by causing him physical pain through terrible boils from his head to foot. Job’s response shows the strength of his faith as he continued to praise God.

“I came naked from my mother’s womb, and I will be naked when I leave.
The Lord gave me what I had, and the Lord has taken it away.
Praise the name of the Lord!” – Job 1:21

When his wife nagged him, encouraging him to curse God and die, Job’s response was powerful: “Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?” – Job 2:10

As we read through his book, we see that Job is having a difficult time. He feels the pain and suffers from the loss just like anyone else would. He is surrounded by friends who are trying to give him advice through this time of suffering but seem to only be saying the wrong things. We have probably all been there— either we have been the one going through a hard time and had well-meaning friends say something that makes the pain worse OR we have been the one who has sincerely tried to comfort a friend only to end up saying the last thing they wanted to hear.

Job’s friends assume that Job is being punished for something and needs to repent in order for the hard times to end. Perhaps Job’s friends are slightly enjoying the fact that Job is not perfect – that something is finally going wrong for him. Jealousy is a powerful thing, even among friends, and it is possible that the words of self-righteousness coming from Job’s friends are a result of past envy or attempts to measure up to Job.

Job’s friend, Bildad, made a mistake commonly made today. He assumed that earthly blessings come to the righteous and the wicked can never prosper here on earth. “But if you pray to God and seek the favor of the Almighty, and if you are pure and live with integrity, he will surely rise up and restore your happy home. And though you started with little, you will end with much.” – Job 8:5-6

We have all heard the prosperity gospel, and probably believed it to some degree. But the fact remains that there are some godly Christians who live and die “dirt poor” by earthly standards, and there are some very ungodly, unbelieving people who have everything they could possibly ask for in regard to their position and possessions. This is not always easy to understand but our response to what seems unfair in life should be to simply trust God and, as Job did, look forward to our heavenly rewards instead of measuring our earthly possessions.

AND THEY LIVED HAPPILY EVER AFTER.

Job’s story has a happy ending. God stepped in, healing Job physically and restoring him with earthly possessions even greater than what he once had. And the great news for us today is that our story has a happy ending also! No matter what our current circumstances are, no matter how much we are suffering today, Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us in heaven where there will be no more sorrow, no more pain, no more loss.

“But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last.
And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God!
I will see him for myself.
Yes, I will see him with my own eyes.
I am overwhelmed at the thought!” – Job 19:25-27

Today’s Reading: Genesis 45-50

I think Joseph struggled with the decision to forgive his brothers. I think it took him some time of battling between hurt and healing before he decided to let go of the past and expose his heart to those who had wounded him so deeply. I believe God did an amazing thing in the soul of this young leader when he let go of his right for restitution and clung to the hope of restoration.

When Joseph, overcome with emotion, chose to reveal his identity to his brothers, his focus was not on how they had wounded him but on how they were dealing with the guilt of their sin. He went out of his way to help them see the good God had brought out of the bad they had done.

“I am Joseph, your brother, whom you sold into slavery in Egypt. But don’t be upset, and don’t be angry with yourselves for selling me to this place. It was God who sent me here ahead of you to preserve your lives…God has sent me ahead of you to keep you and your families alive and to preserve many survivors. So it was God who sent me here, not you! And he is the one who made me an advisory to Pharoah…” – Genesis 45:4b-8

Because he was able to let go of his own need for justice, Joseph was reunited with his father and his brothers. He was able to enjoy 17 years before his father died. After the death of Jacob, Joseph’s brothers threw themselves down before Joseph in repentance. He had to show them once more that he had forgiven them.

But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them. – Genesis 50:19-20

I love how the message parallels the NIV here: Joseph replied, “Don’t be afraid. Do I act for God? Don’t you see, you planned evil against me but God used those same plans for my good, as you see all around you right now – life for many people. – Genesis 50:19 (The Message)

DO I ACT FOR GOD?

When I am sinned against or suffer the consequences of someone else’s sin, is it for me to refuse to forgive them? Do I act for God? Is it my right to question or be angry with God that He did not intervene and prevent the hurt? Do I act for God? God never leaves us or abandons us; He is never uninvolved. We can trust in the God of this promise:

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. – Romans 8:28

Lord, Show me today when I am manipulating my circumstances or attempting to act for you. Get my attention when I begin to question you. Teach us to trust that you are the God who works for the good of those who love him and help us to see you clearly through our circumstances. Amen.

Today’s Reading: Genesis 38, 41:37-44:34; Psalm 51

This is a record of the ancestors of Jesus the Messiah, a descendant of David and of Abraham: Abraham was the father of Isaac. Isaac was the father of Jacob. Jacob was the father of Judah and his brothers. Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah (whose mother was Tamar). – Matthew 1:1-3a

Jacob had 12 sons and God chose the lineage of Jacob’s fourth son, Judah, for the birth of the Messiah. Genesis helps us understand a little more about this far from perfect man from whom our source of salvation would eventually be born.

When Joseph’s brothers were frustrated with his bragging and their father’s favoritism, it was Judah who came up with a plan to sell their little brother into slavery. Reuben planned to come back later and rescue Joseph from the cistern in which they had thrown him, but Judah planned to make some money at Joseph’s expense. He showed himself to be disloyal, greedy and unkind.

Around the time of this betrayal, Judah chose to leave home and start his own family. He married a Canaanite woman and had three sons – Er, Onan and Shelah. Eventually, Judah arranged for Er to marry a young woman named Tamar. Er was wicked and the Lord took his life. When Er died, Onan took Tamar to be his wife as the law required. Tradition commanded he have a son with his dead brother’s wife in order to leave him an heir. Onan refused and the Lord took his life. It was Judah’s responsibility to give Tamar to his youngest son once he was of age, but instead Judah sent her away with a promise to bring her back some day.

Once more Judah showed himself to be disloyal, greedy and unkind. When Shelah came of age, he chose not to bring Tamar back to their family. This meant Tamar would have to spend the rest of her life in shame as the barren widow her husband’s family did not want. Genesis 38 reveals the ugly details of how Tamar disguised herself as a prostitute and had sex with her father-in-law. When Judah found out she was pregnant, he demanded she be burned for her sexual sins. But Judah saw the evil in his own heart when it was revealed that he was the father of her babies. God redeemed Judah’s story and chose for the Messiah to be born in the lineage of Tamar’s son, Perez.

Looking closer at Genesis 44, we see a changed man. When it became evident that Benjamin would have to stay in Egypt because he was being accused of theft, Judah stepped forward. When it became obvious that his father’s heart was about to be broken over the loss of one more son, Judah stepped up.

“My lord, I guaranteed to my father that I would take care of the boy. I told him, ‘If I don’t bring him back to you, I will bear the blame forever.’ So please, my lord, let me stay here as a slave instead of the boy, and let the boy return with his brothers. For how can I return to my father if the boy is not with me? I couldn’t bear to see the anguish this would cause my father!” – Genesis 44:32-34

I am so thankful we serve a God of second chances. Lord, thank you so much for taking this selfish and greedy heart and making something worthy of your service. Thank you for seeing a heart in need of transformation and patiently making me into the person you created me to be. Reveal in me any self-serving attitudes and unkind opinions. Teach me, guide me, mold me, break me. Amen.

Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Oh, give me back my joy again; you have broken me – now let me rejoice. – Psalm 51:7-8

Today’s Reading: Genesis 37,39:1-41:36

IS THIS GOD’S WILL OR IS IT GOD’S PLAN?

Have you ever felt an overwhelming panic that what is happening around you is not the will of God? One of the greatest lessons I have learned is that God has a plan even when the choices of others are outside of God’s will. When I rest in His sovereignty, I learn how to trust Him despite everything that is going on around me.

Joseph’s life was affected time and time again by the sinful decisions of others, but God was NEVER uninvolved. Joseph’s brothers sinned against him out of jealousy when they sold him into captivity, but God did not abandon Joseph.

GOD’S PLAN WAS TO USE IT FOR GOOD

A lot of good came out of the rest of Joseph’s life, even though the trajectory of his life changed when his brothers sold him into slavery. It was not God’s perfect will for Joseph to be sinned against, separated from his family and sold into slavery; yet God’s plan was to use it for good.

The Lord was with Joseph and he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. When his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did, Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned. – Genesis 39:2-4

It was not God’s perfect will for Potiphar’s wife to lust after Joseph and lie about his integrity, causing Joseph to spend years in prison, but God’s plan was to use it for good.

But while Joseph was there in the prison, the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there. – Genesis 39:20b-22

Joseph’s time in prison gave him the opportunity to interpret the dream of the chief cupbearer, who eventually told Pharoah of Joseph’s ability to interpret dreams. As a result of Joseph’s interpretation of Pharoah’s dreams, the lives of many were saved from the devastating famine.

GOD IS NEVER WITHOUT A PLAN

I do not believe it is God’s will that anyone should sin or be sinned against, yet God is NEVER without a plan because He loves us and He wants everyone to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). HE MAKES BEAUTIFUL THINGS come out of the sinful actions of man.

When we are wronged or sinned against or suffer the consequences of our own sins, God has not abandoned us. Instead he works out a BEAUTIFUL PLAN OF REDEMPTION in the midst of this sinful world. God does not will for us to sin but neither is He surprised by it. He still plans HOPE for our future.

Is it God’s will that an unmarried woman gets pregnant? No, but God has a plan for that unborn baby and for the parents. At times, that plan involves blessing another family through adoption.

Is it God’s will when a drunk driver kills an innocent bystander? No, but God has a plan to provide healing for those who are left grieving and to use their healing to minister to others who have suffered loss.

Is it God’s will that America should consider it a woman’s right to end the life of her unborn baby? No, but God has a plan to use the sin of abortion to bring many to repentance. God has a plan to use His followers to reach out to those affected by or considering abortion.

Is it God’s will that anyone should be on the receiving end of prejudice, bullying, racism, sexism, discrimination, hatred, or injustice? Absolutely not! No, but God has a plan to use His children to speak out and to create change, so that the death of one man can mean salvation for mankind.

Thank you, God, for taking all the details of my life and using them to accomplish something good. Lord, I trust you with the good and the bad, with the joys and the heartaches. I pray for a strong faith and daily reminders that you will never leave or abandon us. Even in the worst of situations, we can trust that you have a plan.

Today’s Reading: Genesis 33-34,36; Psalm 32

Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight. Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty! – Psalm 32:1-2

FORGIVENESS

Then Jacob went on ahead. When he approached his brother, he bowed to the ground seven times before him. Then Esau ran to meet him and embraced him, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him. And they both wept. – Genesis 33:3-4

When Jacob cheated Esau out of his father’s blessing of the firstborn, Esau vowed to kill Jacob. Rebekah once again came up with a plan. Jacob was sent with Isaac’s blessing to visit her brother, Laban, with the instructions to stay there until Esau cooled off, and to marry one of Laban’s daughters.

Now, years later, Jacob was returning home and Esau was coming out to greet him. Unsure of his brother’s intentions, Jacob fearfully approached Esau. He bowed to the ground seven times, a sign of respect given to a king. Emotions rose as Esau responded to his brother’s humility with grace and forgiveness. Introductions were made and gifts were extended, as they reclaimed their brotherhood.

“What a relief to see your friendly smile. It is like seeing the face of God!” – Genesis 33:10b

REVENGE

Consider this reunion between Jacob and Esau in contrast to the reaction of Jacob’s sons when their sister was wronged. Jacob set up camp with his family outside the town of Shechem. His daughter, Dinah, went to visit some of the young women who lived in the area. The local prince saw Dinah, seized her and raped her. Afterwards, he expressed his love for her and tried hard to win her affection. He begged his father to work it out so that he could marry the daughter of Jacob.

A hand of friendship was extended along with a request for the families to intermarry and live in peace. Jacob’s sons deceived Hamor and his son Shechem. They promised friendship but instead chose vengeance. They murdered all the men in the town, plundered their livestock and possessions, then led their women and children back to their camp as captives. Jacob chastised his sons and pointed out to them the danger they had put their whole family in by carrying out their revenge.

The weight of anger and bitterness is a heavy burden to carry through life. When we insist on justice and take matters into our own hands, we find ourselves choosing sin instead of grace, revenge instead of forgiveness. We hurt ourselves more than we realize as we carry the heaviness of grudges and hard feelings.

When Isaac realized that Jacob had deceived him and wrongfully taken the blessing that he intended to give to Esau, he gave his oldest son the gift of these wise words: “You will live away from the richness of the earth, and away from the dew of the heaven above. You will live by the sword, and you will serve your brother. But when you decide to break free, you will shake his yoke from your neck.” – Genesis 27:39-40

Perhaps Isaac is taking this moment to teach his son that it is up to him to decide how long he will carry the burden of this wrong committed against him. It is his choice whether or not to be weighted with anger or choose the freedom of forgiveness. Choosing hatred would hurt him more than anyone.

Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. – Colossians 3:13 (The Message)

Father God, will you forgive us for holding on to grudges and hanging on to hurt feelings. Will you give us the strength to let go and the wisdom to make peace. Will you give us the courage to have some difficult conversations and the integrity to offer the embrace of forgiveness to those who have wronged us or someone we love. Lord, will you set us free from the burdens we have carried for much too long. May others see the face of God where they once saw bitterness and anger. Amen.

Today’s Reading: Genesis 29-32, 35:16-29

After having an incredible spiritual experience at Bethel, Jacob moved his family on toward Ephrath. His beloved Rachel was pregnant for the second time and she went into labor. Her pains were intense and the delivery was very hard. Finally she gave birth to a son and with her final breath named him Benoni, “son of my sorrow”, but Jacob called him Benjamin, “son of my right hand”.

Rachel was the love of Jacob’s life. He first met Rachel when he arrived in Paddan-Aram. She was bringing her father’s flocks to the well and Jacob moved the stone from the mouth of the well and watered his uncle’s flocks for her. Within a month, Jacob was asking to take her as his wife. He loved her so much that he was willing to work seven years in exchange for his bride. When his uncle deceived him and instead gave him her older sister, Leah, Jacob agreed to another seven years of labor in order to marry Rachel.

Now loving Rachel did not mean that marriage came easy. When she was unable to have children after her sister Leah had already given birth to four sons, Rachel had a choice to make. She could draw close to God and trust Him with the desires of her heart, or she could let jealousy and pride guide her action;. Rachel chose the latter. Instead of WAITING FOR GOD’S PLAN IN GOD’S TIME, Rachel began to manipulate her circumstances to get what she wanted. She gave her servant to Jacob as a wife. Bilhah gave Jacob two sons and Rachel declared, “I have struggled hard with my sister, and I’m winning!” (Gen.30:8)

Apparently two can play at this competitive game because Leah gave her servant to Jacob and added 2 points to her score. Then the sisters began to barter for mandrakes, which were believed to aid in procreation. Again, Rachel was using manipulation and control to get what she wanted instead of going to the Giver of all good gifts. Oh how I wish I could not relate to Rachel here! I wish I never had the tendency to panic and take things into my own hands instead of trusting in God for provision!

Leah gave birth to two more sons and a daughter but Rachel remained barren. God eventually remembered Rachel in spite of her bitter heart and she became pregnant and gave birth to a son. “God has removed my disgrace,” she said. And she named him Joseph, for she said, “May the Lord add yet another son to my family.” – Genesis 30:24

Even in the first moments of holding her newborn son, a gift from God, Rachel was already displeased and desiring more from God. Instead of clinging to the God who had answered her prayer and provided her with a son, Rachel chose to worship false gods instead of the one true God.

GOD’S WILL, GOD’S WAY, in GOD’S TIME – a lesson Rachel never seemed to learn. She gave birth to a second son but was not given the opportunity to raise him. In her struggle to always get more from God, Rachel lost all she had and Jacob lost his first love – Rachel. Jacob has just renewed his covenant relationship with God at Bethel and now he was burying his sweetheart. Jacob built another stone pillar, this time over Rachel’s grave (35:20). He gathered his large family together and continued on. Jacob could have chosen anger and bitterness at the loss of his wife right after recommitting his life to God, but he chose to accept GOD’S WILL, GOD’S WAY, in GOD’S TIME.

At times I find myself with this expectation that God should answer my prayers because I have served Him well, almost as if I deserve His blessings. I reject that kind of thinking, but sadly I often identify expectations in my heart that need to be disposed of. I have to let go of my sinful accusations and let God do things HIS WAY in HIS TIME. When I ask God WHY, I hear Him once again reply, “Trust me.”

But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.
They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water.
Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought.
Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit. – Jeremiah 17:7-8

It’s all yours, Lord. Everything I want to manipulate and control – every situation, every unknown, every relationship, every heartache – it’s all yours. Thank you for the blessings you so generously pour out into my life each day. I praise you for all you allow in my life – good and bad. TEACH ME THROUGH EVERY STRUGGLE and strengthen my faith in you. You are El Shaddai, God Almighty, and I trust you.

Today’s Reading: Genesis 28, 35:1-15, Hosea 12:3-6

I AM YOUR GOD AND I AM WITH YOU!

Genesis 28 tells of an encounter that Jacob had with God — a turning point in his life when God let him know that He was not only the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac, He was ALSO the God of Jacob. How wonderful it must have felt for Jacob in that moment when He heard God’s promise:

“I am the LORD, the God of your grandfather Abraham, and the God of your father, Isaac. The ground you are lying on belongs to you. I am giving it to you and your descendants. Your descendants will be as numerous as the dust of the earth!…What’s more, I am with you, and I will protect you wherever you go. One day I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have finished giving you everything I have promised.” – Genesis 28:13b-15

Jacob set up a pillar, poured oil on it and named it Bethel, making a vow to God just as God had made a vow to Him.

IF YOU ARE WITH ME, THEN I AM WITH YOU!

“If God will indeed be with me and protect me on this journey, and if he will provide me with food and clothing, and if I return safely to my father’s home, then the Lord will certainly be my God. And this memorial pillar I have set up will become a place for worshiping God, and I will present to God a tenth of everything he gives me.” – Genesis 28:20b-22

That day Jacob began a covenant relationship with God. He responded to God’s promise and committed to being present in the relationship. Just as God was reaching out to Him, Jacob was seeking after God. But life gets busy and offers so many distractions.

The next twenty plus years had good times and bad. Jacob now had two wives, two concubines, eleven sons and one daughter. He had acquired much wealth but his household had also acquired pagan idols. Jacob had to seek peace among his wives, peace with his uncle and peace with his brother, Esau. To make things worse, his daughter was raped and his sons responded in vengeance. Life was difficult but God was present.

God called out to Jacob and Jacob RETURNED to Bethel, recognizing that God had faithfully kept His covenant but that Jacob was in need of RENEWING the promise He had made to God. The influence of the world around him had made an impact on Jacob and his family and he needed to once again cleanse himself, returning to the place where God had revealed himself to Jacob. And the God of Jacob’s past faithfully appeared to him again and blessed him, showing Jacob that God was not only the God of yesterday, but the God of today and the God of tomorrow.

Perhaps God is calling us back to the place where we entered into a covenant relationship with Him. This world we live in and the stress of life have had an impact on us and we need to RENEW our promise. Let’s declare that the God of our yesterday is still who we desire to be the Lord of our today and the Keeper of our tomorrows. God is faithful and still desires to produce fruit through our lives.

I AM YOUR GOD AND I AM WITH YOU!
IF YOU ARE WITH ME, THEN I AM WITH YOU!

Lord, I choose to renew our covenant and desire to keep it fresh and growing stronger each day. I promise to look to you as the God of my past, make you the Lord of my day and trust you to be the Keeper of my tomorrow. Thank you for making your presence known to me this morning. If you are with me, then I am with you. I love you and choose to act out of that love today, depending on you to provide and protect. Amen.