Today’s Reading: Genesis 18:16 – 19:38, 2 Peter 2:17-22, Hebrews 11:13-16

In the Bible, when someone had a decision to make, they would often “cast lots” to determine the will of God. They would do this by throwing sticks or stones with markings on them. In essence, they would use a game of chance similar to flipping a coin or rolling the dice to determine which direction they should go or what should happen. This is referred to 77 times in the Bible. Thankfully we have the Holy Spirit now to direct us when we have a choice to make.

Consistent with his name, Lot (Abraham’s nephew) had a series of decisions to make. Now God had blessed both Abraham and Lot with a large possession of sheep and goats, herds of cattle, and tents. Things were getting crowded and so Abraham offered to Lot his choice of land.

LEFT OR RIGHT

“The whole countryside is open to you. Take your choice of any section of the land you want, and we will separate. If you want the land to the left, then I’ll take the land on the right. If you prefer the land on the right, then I’ll go to the left.” – Gen. 13:9

When given a choice, Lot chose the Jordan Valley, an area that was fertile and therefore would make him very wealthy. He moved his tents to a place near Sodom and settled among the cities of the plain. Now here is the significance of his decision. This area had a reputation of constantly sinning against the Lord, yet Lot was drawn to what this area had to offer him and he made a choice to live among this sinful society.

OLD OR NEW

Soon after that, a war broke out between nine kings. The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were plundered and Lot was taken hostage along with all of his household and many others. Abraham gathered together his men and rescued Lot from the mess he had gotten himself into. Rather than starting a new life in a new area, Lot chose to return to life as he knew it – back in Sodom where the people went right back to their sinful ways.

Now when the three visitors came to Abraham with the promise that Sarah would have a baby in about a year, the Lord also had a message for Abraham regarding the judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah. Both cities had become very flagrant in their sin and God was ready to destroy them.

LOVE SIN OR LOVE SINNERS

Abraham had concern for the residents of these cities and asked God if He would spare the cities if He found 50 people who were righteous. God agreed. Abraham asked if He would spare the cities if He found 45 righteous people. God agreed. What about 40? Yes, 40. What about 30? Yes, 30. Abraham boldly asked God if He would spare the cities if he found 20 righteous people. For the sake of 20, God agreed He would spare the cities. Abraham asked God for one more number – would he spare the cities for 10? God stated He would hold back his judgment if He found even as small of a number as 10 righteous people.

Notice the difference between uncle and nephew. Lot was drawn to the sinfulness of society while Abraham was concerned for the fate of the lost. Lot blended in with the sinful people while Abraham separated himself and prayed to the Lord for those condemned to judgment.

STAY OR LEAVE

Two angels came to Lot in Sodom. They warned him of the coming destruction of the city and told Lot to get out of the city. The next morning, Lot was still there. The angels insisted Lot take his family and leave Sodom immediately. Lot hesitated and the angels had to drag Lot and his family to safety.

When they were safely out of the city, one of the angels ordered, “Run for your lives! And don’t look back or stop anywhere in the valley! Escape to the mountains, or you will be swept away!” – Genesis 19:17

He was being warned to run from sin and wickedness but Lot chose to stay close to the sinful life he had come to know. Lot’s wife looked back on the city as it was being destroyed and she turned into a pillar of salt. The verb used here indicates she cast more than a curious glance. She gazed intensely for a prolonged period. She was too attached to sin to respond to God’s gracious mercy. She chose to focus on what this sinful world had to offer her instead of the gift of life God was extending to her.

God, reveal in us any love we might have for the sinful ways of the world we live in. Reveal the choices we daily make and do a work in our hearts. Lord, help us to see this world and be concerned for their sin, rather than drawn into its corruption. We choose freedom in knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ rather than being a slave to the sin that seeks to control us. We answer your call to live a holy life and choose to walk in the way of righteousness – fill us with your righteousness we pray. Amen.

Today’s Reading: Genesis 18:1-15, Psalm 89

O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies! Where is there anyone as mighty as you, O Lord? You are entirely faithful. – Psalm 89:8

Although it is not always easy, there is joy in resting instead of resisting. Abraham loved his son, Ishmael, and he asked God to fulfill His promise through his son. God had something different, something better, for Abraham but it was beyond Abraham’s comprehension. God promised to confirm His covenant in about a year, through a son born of Sarah and named Isaac. It required faith for Abraham to accept God’s will in God’s way in God’s time.

Three men appeared to Abraham one day to once again confirm God’s promise of a son born to Sarah (possibly the Lord and two angels). Sarah was listening to this conversation from the tent and laughed silently to herself saying, “How could a worn-out woman like me enjoy such pleasure, especially when my master – my husband – is also so old?” (18:12)

Then the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh? Why did she say, ‘Can an old woman like me have a baby?’ Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return about this time next year, and Sarah will have a son.” – Genesis 18:13-14

Is anything too hard for the Lord? Last night, Pastor Josh reminded the youth group that what is impossible for us is possible with God. What we need to do is surrender our ideas of what God can do to the God who can do anything.

Sarah struggled in her faith but she did not stay in that struggle. It is possible that Sarah always looked back with regret at her initial response to God’s promise and to the mess she made when she tried to force God’s promise through her servant, Hagar. But she did not stay in the struggle to believe or the shame of her mess. Listen to what the writer of Hebrews says about this woman loved by God.

It was by faith that even Sarah was able to have a child, though she was barren and was too old. She believed that God would keep his promise. And so a whole nation came from this one man who was as good as dead – a nation with so many people that, like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore, there is no way to count them. – Hebrews 11:11-12

If God’s promise was to give Sarah a son when she was 20 years old, how much faith would have been required? If she was found to be with child soon after marriage, God would not have received the glory for the miracle of Isaac. What a great reminder to start off my day! With a hot cup of morning coffee on this cold morning and a word from the Lord, I’m eager to face what is ahead. All of the HOW questions rattling around in my brain have the same answer – God’s will, God’s way, and in God’s time.

El-Shaddai, I place my day in your hands.
God Almighty, I place my life in your hands.
Sovereign Lord, I let go and let you decide what happens from here.
I long to experience your will, your way, in your time. Amen.

Today’s Reading: Genesis 16 – 17, Psalm 139

The Scriptures say that Abraham had two sons, one from his slave wife and one from his freeborn wife. The son of the slave wife was born in a human attempt to bring about the fulfillment of God’s promise. But the son of the freeborn wife was born out of God’s own fulfillment of his promise. – Galatians 4:22-23

At times our faith is handicapped by our fear. We believe in God’s promises but we panic and attempt to force God’s plan into action – God’s will, my way, in my time. Sarai tried to force God’s will her own way in her own time by having Abram lay with her servant girl, Hagar.

My heart goes out to Hagar, a young Egyptian girl who for some reason had become a slave to foreigners instead of living out her own dreams of a husband and family. Now she was being forced to have sexual relations with her master. Hagar’s fear grew into anger when she realized she was pregnant with his child. Sarai’s fear turned into jealousy and she began to treat her servant harshly.

Hagar ran away, leaving the safety of the camp. She found herself sitting by a spring of water in the wilderness but she was not alone. “Hagar, Sarai’s servant, where have you come from, and where are you going?” (16:8). God SAW Hagar’s pain and met with her, but sent her back to Sarai. It was not time for her to leave. God made it clear – My will, my way, my time.

There have been too many times in my life when I, like Sarai, have made a human attempt to force God’s hand and made a mess of things. What a great reminder this morning that God has a plan, God has a way and God has His own timing. I can rest and relax in His Sovereignty!

“I am El-Shaddai – ‘God Almighty.’ Serve me faithfully and live a blameless life. I will make a covenant with you, by which I will guarantee to give you countless descendants.” – Genesis 17:1-2

God again confirmed His promise to Abram. He changed his name to Abraham, which means ‘father of many’ and changed Sarai’s name to Sarah, stating He would bless her richly and make her the mother of many nations. At ages 100 and 90, what God was promising seemed humanly impossible but God is Sovereign and for Him nothing is impossible.

You are the God who sees me. Just as Hagar sat by Beer-lahai-roi and spoke to the God who saw her, we bow before you this morning recognizing that you are an active God who sees us. You recognize what we are going through and you make your presence known. Lord, we ask you for clarity in some situations and faith in all circumstances. Show us areas in our life where we are trying to force your hand. May the fruit of your Spirit living within us be patience to wait for your perfect will in your perfect way at your perfect time. May we recognize you today as El-Shaddai, God Almighty. Amen.

Oh Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I am far away…You know everything I do. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord. You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand. – Psalm 139:1-6

Today’s Reading: Genesis 15, Psalm 112

It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going. And even when he reached the land God promised him, he lived there by faith – for he was a foreigner, living in tents. And so did Isaac and Jacob, who inherited the same promise. Abraham was confidently looking forward to a city with eternal foundations, a city designed and built by God. – Hebrews 11:8-10

Abram’s life is a great example to us of what it means to daily obey and submit to God’s plan, following Him wherever He leads. Sometimes this means leaving home like Abraham and sometimes it means a career change, going back to school, a new ministry position, or a leap into the unknown. Responding in obedience to God’s call requires a great amount of faith, which is exactly what Abram had. But Abram also had to deal with some fear. He had to learn how to trust God to protect him and to fulfill His promises in His perfect time.

ABRAM HAD TO OVERCOME HIS FEAR IN ORDER TO GROW IN HIS FAITH.

Some time later, the Lord spoke to Abram in a vision and said to him, “Do not be afraid, Abram, for I will protect you, and your reward will be great.” But Abram replied, “O Sovereign Lord, what good are all your blessings when I don’t even have a son?”– Genesis 15:1-2a

God promised Abram that his descendants would be as numerous as the dust of the earth (13:16), but time had passed and Abram was confused by the fact that he was still without a son of his own. He called God “Sovereign Lord” showing that he recognized God was in charge. God reminded him – my will, my way, in my time. God confirmed his promise again to Abram, telling him his descendants would be as numerous as the stars in the sky (15:5).

And Abram believed the Lord, and the Lord counted him as righteous because of his faith. – Gen. 15:6

God reminded Abram that the promise for his descendants included the promise for a territory or inheritance. Again, Abram had questions, but recognized that God was in charge and God again confirmed his promise.

There have been several moments in the last year, and also in the last week, when I had to recognize that God is in charge. In moments when fear is pressing in and demanding my attention, I have to acknowledge God as Sovereign Lord and trust Him with the things that scare me the most. I have to trust Him with the care of my family and place the future in His capable hands. I have to overcome my fear in order to grow in my faith, just like Abram.

Having faith in God does not mean that we will be without questions, and it does not mean that we will not have moments of fear and uncertainty. But having faith in God does mean that we will take our questions to God and then trust Him for the answers, just like Abram did. We will hold on tight to what we do know and believe in God for the rest.

…they confidently trust the Lord to care for them. They are confident and fearless and can face their foes triumphantly. – Psalm 112:7b-8

Today’s Reading: Genesis 12:10 – 14, Psalm 27

God’s way is perfect. All the Lord’s promises prove true. He is a shield to all who look to him for protection. – Psalm 18:30

We start today where we ended yesterday – with the reminder that we can trust God. His way is perfect and His promises are true. Unfortunately, Abram had a big lesson to learn on what it means to truly trust God for protection.

There was a severe famine, forcing Abram to go to Egypt to find food. Now Sarai was very beautiful and Abram feared the Egyptians would kill him in order to keep her. Instead of relying on God to fulfill His promise, Abram took matters into his own hands and deceived the Egyptians by telling them Sarai was his sister – which was true (20:12), but he failed to mention she was also his wife. God had promised to protect Abram, but Abram felt the need to protect himself through deception.

Sarai’s beauty was undeniable and she was taken to Pharoah to be his wife. Terrible plagues came upon Pharoah and his household because of Sarai’s presence. Pharoah gave her back to Abram and commanded him to leave Egypt – the place they had fled to in order to survive the famine. God could have used Egypt to provide for their needs, but Abram failed to trust in Him for protection so they were back on the road.

Abram left Egypt and traveled to the region between Bethel and Ai. Their group was quite large so Abram offered to split the land with Lot, giving Lot the first choice of which land he wanted. Now all the land to the east of them in the Jordan Valley was fertile and well watered, obviously the best choice of land. Perhaps Abram had learned something from his journey through Egypt. He knows that it is not the land itself that will provide but that God will bless him regardless of which piece of land he gets. After Lot chose the better half, the Lord confirmed his promise to Abram a third time:

“Look as far as you can see in EVERY direction – north and south, east and west. I am giving all this land, as far as you can see, to you and your descendants as a permanent possession. And I will give you so many descendants that, like the dust of the earth, they cannot be counted! Go and walk through the land in every direction, for I am giving it to you.” – Genesis 13:14-17

There was a battle between the kings in the surrounding nations and Lot was captured in the battle. Abram rescued Lot, as well as many others caught in the conflict. The king of Sodom was so grateful that he wanted to give all the goods captured to Abram as a gift. Just as Abram now knew that God was the source of his protection, he also knew God was the source of his blessings. He refused the gifts and kept his eyes on God – his Protector and his Provider.

Father God, we thank you for being our source of provision and protection. We ask that you show us this morning if there are areas of our lives in which we are taking things into our own hands, trusting in our own abilities instead of relying on you. May we learn how to wait patiently for you. Amen.

Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord. – Psalm 27:14

Today’s Reading: Genesis 11:27-12:9, Psalm 18

“Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.” – Genesis 12:1-3

Leave and go where I show you to go – This first element of God’s promise requires more than just initial obedience, it requires continual obedience and submission – daily following wherever God leads. It is not enough that I followed obediently yesterday; I must continue to follow in obedience today. Abram did this and received confirmation of the promise God had given him.

I will make you into a great nation and bless you – This promise had great significance to Abram because his wife, Sarai, had been unable to become pregnant and they had no children. When God makes a PROMISE, we can trust Him for PROVISION. So if God was promising descendants, Abram simply needed to trust that God would provide children to Abram and Sarai. So accepting God’s promise requires daily obedience and willingness to follow God wherever He leads, and it requires a huge amount of faith.

You will be a blessing to others…all the families on earth will be blessed through you – This promise was not just about Abram and for the benefit of Abram. It was much larger than that. There were so many other people who would be blessed through this promise, so many others relying on Abram’s faith in God and his decision to obey. Who is relying on our faithful obedience today? Are we living with the realization that our decisions today could affect someone else tomorrow?

Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever He promises. And because of Abraham’s faith, God counted him as righteous. And when God counted him as righteous, it wasn’t just for Abraham’s benefit. It was recorded for our benefit, too, assuring us that God will also count us as righteous if we believe in him, the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised to life to make us right with God. – Romans 4:16b-25

I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt – God promised protection of Abram and guardianship of His promise.

God’s way is perfect. All the Lord’s promises prove true. He is a shield to all who look to him for protection. – Psalm 18:30

Oh Lord, we thank you for your promises. May we respond in obedience to your call on our lives, just as Abram did. May we trust you for our protection and for every blessing in life. Remind us today, oh Lord, of your many promises. Remind us that everything good in our life is not a result of our own effort, but evidence of your PROMISE, your PROTECTION and your PROVISION. Amen.

Today’s Reading: Genesis 9-11:26, Psalm 75

After the flood, Noah began to cultivate the ground, and he planted a vineyard. One day he drank some wine he had made, and he became drunk and lay naked inside his tent. Ham, the father of Canaan, saw that his father was naked and went outside and told his brothers. – Genesis 9:20-22

This mistake changed the course of Ham’s life. It was an issue of disloyalty and selfishness, the heart of gossip. Instead of taking action out of respect for his father, Ham went outside and told his brothers, who took care of covering their father. Ham shirked his responsibility and brought shame to his father. Noah cursed Ham’s descendants to a life of servanthood (9:26-27) – if you don’t want to help take care of family, you will spend the rest of your life with no choice but to take care of others.

Ham was not the only one of Noah’s descendants to think too much of himself. Ham had four sons but it was his son Canaan on whom the curse landed. With the curse of servanthood did not come a humble spirit. The desire to be famous and rise above the curse remained. The tendency to think too much of themselves remained. This is evidenced in the life of Nimrod, who became a heroic warrior. His descendants thought too much of themselves. They settled in Babylon, which became the epicenter of ARROGANCE and idolatry. Their desire was to build a name for themselves, for their own glory instead of for the glory and purposes of God.

With a shortage of stone in that area, the people used innovation and created bricks. Rather than recognizing this as a gift from God, they found excitement in the idea that they might become famous. If they could build a great tower made of bricks, the world would hear and see how wonderful they were. People would come from all around to see this tower that represented their greatness. They would become famous and there would be no need to ever leave their earthly kingdom.

Consider the sin of Adam and Eve. The serpent tempted them with the possibility of becoming like God. Eve was easily convinced by the serpent and her desire for a wisdom like God’s caused her to sin. Adam witnessed the whole thing and joined in this self-ambitious sin. They were banished from the garden, made to leave the area they had come to love.

Compare the sin of Adam & Eve to the sin of those building the tower of Babel. The people of Babylon desired to be as powerful and famous as God. Their longing for fame and fortune was stronger than their love for God. Their desire to stay there and not be scattered all over the world resulted in just that – banishment and the scattering of people across the region.

Our salvation depends on having a humble and repentant heart. If we think too much of ourselves or of what we have accomplished, we begin to depend less on God and more on what we think we can do on our own. When confronted with temptation and sin, we arrogantly choose to build our own tower of Babel.

Today may we see every good and wonderful thing in our lives as a gift from you, God. May every blessing be evidence of your generosity. Forgive us for our moments of pride. We long to be servants of your Kingdom rather than building our own fame and fortune. Help us to see the needs of others and respond with a heart of love.

Today’s Reading: Genesis 6-8, Psalm 12

The Lord observed the extent of human wickedness on the earth, and he saw that everything they thought or imagined was consistently and totally evil. So the Lord was sorry he had ever made them and put them on earth. It broke his heart. – Genesis 6:5-6

Not only does God direct us not to sin and warn us of the temptation of sin, it breaks his heart when we reject Him and choose to sin. The God of the universe cares enough to grieve when we push Him away in our attempts to live our own life and chase after all the world has to offer. He has a wonderful plan of salvation He was willing to sacrifice His Son in order to offer, and it saddens Him when we push His plan aside to make room for our own.

God sees each decision made and every sin committed. In Genesis, God grieved over His new creation and their lack of love for their Creator. He saw the selfish desires of their heart and how quickly they gravitated toward evil. But He also saw the heart of one who kept his eyes focused on God, who chose to walk in close fellowship with Him.

Noah was a righteous man, the only blameless person living on earth at the time. God chose to wipe all living creatures from the earth because of the violence that was everywhere. But, because of the faithfulness of one man, God created a plan to spare Noah and his family.

God told Noah that he was going to cover the earth with a flood. Noah had never experienced a flood but he trusted God. God told Noah to build a boat. Noah had never seen a boat but he trusted God. Everything God told him to do, Noah did exactly as God commanded him (6:22; 7:5). And everything God said He was going to do, He did – in His time.

It rained for 40 days and the floodwaters covered the earth for 150 days. After 5 months, Noah released a bird to see if the floodwaters on the earth had dried up. But the bird came back because there was no place for it to land. It was not God’s time. Noah sent out a dove, but again the bird came back. It was not God’s time. Seven days later, Noah released another dove and it came back with a fresh olive leaf in its beak. It was still not God’s time but it was a sign from God that the time was drawing near. Seven days later, Noah released a third dove and it did not come back. Still Noah waited patiently for God’s instructions, which came in God’s time. Noah and his family left the boat when God said to leave the boat.

The life we choose to live is never outside of HIS SIGHT. Our faith grows as we choose to live our life for HIS PURPOSES and trust IN HIS TIME, believing that He is a God who keeps His promises. From that faith comes the gift of His righteousness.

The Lord’s promises are pure, like silver refined in a furnace, purified seven times over. – Psalm 12:6

Father God, thank you for having a plan and a purpose that goes beyond my own understanding. Help me to daily trust you enough to wait for your perfect plan in your perfect time. Thank you for today’s reminder that you are a God who keeps His promises, a God whose heart I can trust. Amen.

Today’s Reading: Genesis 4-5, Psalm 37

“With the Lord’s help, I have produced a man.” – Genesis 4:1b

Eve gave birth to a son and her response was to recognize the wonderful gift God had given her – the blessing to have another life growing inside of her. When given the opportunity to give a gift to the Lord, that son who was now a man did not respond with the same heart of gratitude as his mother. He chose not to give his best to the Lord. His younger brother, Abel, gave the best he had to offer and God was pleased with his gift, while Cain sulked in anger to God’s less enthusiastic response to his half-hearted effort.

“Why are you so angry?” the Lord asked Cain. “Why do you look so dejected? You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master.” – Genesis 4:6-7

Often we make the choice of giving God less than He deserves from us. When things do not go as we want them to go, we get angry with God and wonder why He is not meeting our need to be recognized or fulfilled. We live as though God exists to reward our small contribution or to rain down His blessings on us instead of living life for the purpose of glorifying God every day.

God warned Cain that his anger was inviting sin to come and control him. He commanded Cain to subdue the sinful anger and stay in control, but Cain chose to wrap himself in self-pity. In response to his jealousy of Abel’s choice to do what was right, Cain did what was wrong – he killed his brother.

– Genesis 4:9

Cain was given the choice to willingly do what is right or to refuse to do what is right. He chose the latter and God punished him for his sins. When confronted with his sin, Cain could have humbly chosen repentance and confession. Instead he chose anger again. Sin began to control Cain and God punished him for his selfish behavior. Not only did Cain have to leave his home and his family, he had to leave God’s presence.

Father God, thank you for the grace that allows me to spend time in your presence this morning. With a humble heart, I confess to you the moments when I have allowed jealousy and self-pity to creep into my thoughts, like old friends willing to help me justify my poor attitude. Thank you for the reminder to live a life that focuses on pleasing you instead of pleasing myself. Give me a heart of generosity towards you and towards those you would like to minister to through my life.

Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! Do not lose your temper – it only leads to harm. For the wicked will be destroyed, but those who trust in the Lord will possess the land. – Psalm 37:8-9

Today’s Reading: Genesis 2-3, Psalm 16

GOD RESTED

On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when he rested from all his work of creation. – Genesis 2:2-3

I am currently halfway through my sabbatical, a time of resting from work and a time of allowing God to restore me for His purposes. I find it helpful to pull away from the stress and get re-centered. I have spent time looking back on where God has brought me from and resting in the knowledge that He has been extremely good to me. I needed this sabbatical if for no other reason than to remind me of the importance of sabbatical moments. What a gift God gives us when He calls us to be intentional with our sabbath each week.

With the need to rest, comes the need to sleep. Consider the gift of sleep and how God provides for us while we are laying still. It was while Adam was sleeping that God provided a companion for him. It is in our moments of stillness and rest that God often communicates with us, giving us clarity of thought and restoring us for what lies ahead.

GOD PROVIDED

God provided companionship for Adam and gave him a beautiful place to live – a place where God Himself would walk. God called man to reign over all He had created and to watch over it, but He told him not to eat the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Satan desired to take all God had provided and convince Eve that it was not enough, and that is exactly what he did.

The serpent convinced Eve that she needed what God had not provided, that she deserved more. Eve had the opportunity to rest in God’s provision and follow His instructions, yet she chose to find beauty in what she could not have. Adam and Eve learned the lesson that there is no lasting joy in stepping away from God’s plan and they suffered the consequences of their sin.

Then the Lord God asked the woman, “What have you done?” – Genesis 3:13a

GOD PUNISHED

Sin. To know what you ought to do but choose not to do it; to choose to do what God has made clear you are not allowed to do. One of the first lessons we can learn from the Bible is that God is a holy God who punishes us when we disobey. He has a beautiful life planned for us and we miss out on that plan when we willfully choose to follow our own sinful desires instead of walking in companionship with Him.

Father God, we thank you for making your plan for our life clear to us. Thank you for calling us to walk with you, following the instructions you have clearly laid out for us in your word. We thank you for your provision and for your restoration as we make it a priority this year to spend time each day in your presence. May our focus remain on you as we find beauty in what you have for us.