Today’s Reading: Genesis 33-34,36; Psalm 25

Even in the womb, Jacob struggled with his brother;
when he became a man, he even fought with God.
Yes, he wrestled with the angel and won.
He wept and pleaded for a blessing from him.
There at Bethel he met God face to face, and God spoke to him —
the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies, the Lord is his name!
So now, come back to your God.
Act with love and justice, and always depend on him. — Hosea 12:3-6

Jacob’s story consisted of both good times and bad. Jacob was blessed with 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 now it was time to seek peace with his brother, Esau. Life was difficult but God was present.

WHEN YOU TAKE A STEP TOWARDS RESTORATION

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. His mother, whose deceptive plan had gotten him into this mess, came up with another plan — to visit her brother, Laban, until Esau cooled off, and to marry one of Laban’s daughters.

Now 20 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

WHEN YOU EMBRACE 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 this beautiful daughter of Jacob.

A hand of friendship was extended to Dinah’s brothers, 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 while planning 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, hatred 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).

WHEN YOU DECIDE TO BREAK FREE

Isaac took this moment to teach his son that it was up to him to decide how long he would carry the burden of this wrong committed against him. It was his choice whether or not to be weighted down with anger or to choose the freedom of forgiveness. Choosing hatred would hurt Esau more than it would hurt the one who had wronged him. The day he forgave his brother would be the day he broke free from the bondage of unforgiveness and hatred.

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.

Turn to me and have mercy,
for I am alone and in deep distress.
My problems go from bad to worse.
Oh, save me from them all!
Feel my pain and see my trouble.
Forgive all my sins.
See how many enemies I have
and how viciously they hate me!
Protect me! Rescue my life from them!
Do not let me be disgraced, for in you I take refuge.
May integrity and honesty protect me,
for I put my hope in you. – Psalm 25:16-21

Today’s Reading: Genesis 29-31, 35:16-29; Psalm 13

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”.

A STORY OF LOVE

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 agreed 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 (Genesis 29).

Now loving Rachel did not mean that marriage came easy. Jacob now had two wives, and drama quickly followed. When she was still 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)

A STORY OF STRUGGLE

Apparently two can play at this competitive game because Leah gave her servant to Jacob and added two 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! But unfortunately, I do see some of my own sinful habits reflected in the life of Rachel, so I lean in to glean wisdom from her story.

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

A STORY OF DISSATISFACTION

Even in the first moments of holding her newborn son, a gift from God, Rachel was already asking God for more. It wasn’t enough to be loved by Jacob and to have a son of her own, surrounded by the obvious blessings of God; Rachel wanted more. 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 she 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. Jacob had 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.

A STORY OF ACCEPTANCE

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, both the good and the bad. TEACH ME THROUGH EVERY STRUGGLE and strengthen my faith in you. You are El Shaddai, God Almighty, and I trust you.

But I trust in your unfailing love.
I will rejoice because you have rescued me.
I will sing to the Lord
because he is good to me. – Psalm 13:5-6

Today’s Reading: Genesis 28, 32, 35:1-15; Psalm 103

In order to find a wife, Jacob was sent away by his father to travel to the home of his mother’s brother. And as he set up camp and laid under the stars with a rock for his pillow, Jacob encountered God. This moment was a turning point in Jacob’s life — a moment when God let him know that He was not only the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac, but 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

ENCOUNTERING GOD

In this encounter with God, provision was promised — provision for Jacob and for his numerous descendants. God promised to both provide and protect. He promised to be with Jacob, and what could be better than the provision of God’s presence? So Jacob took the pillow God had provided and set it up as a pillar, pouring oil on it and named it Bethel. And in this moment, he made 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 Jacob, Jacob was seeking after God. But life has a tendency to get busy, distracting us from our purpose and causing us to lose our focus on the directions God has given us. And that is what Jacob experienced in Paddam-aram.

WRESTLING WITH GOD

Fast forward twenty years to Genesis 32 and we find Jacob encountering God again. After two decades of being on the receiving end of his uncle’s deception, Jacob made peace with Laban, and now it was time for him to return home and make amends with his brother, Esau. Knowing all that Jacob was feeling, God sent angels to meet with him.

Fear set in when Jacob heard the news that Esau was on his way to meet him. He began dividing out his household in hopes of saving at least half of his family. Next Jacob began to pray to God, recognizing the kindness and unfailing love that God had so generously shown him over the years. He took the time to verbalize his fears, asking for the God of his fathers to rescue him once again.

Jacob positioned himself to be alone in the camp in order to spend some time with God. A man appeared and Jacob wrestled with him until dawn. When the man told Jacob to let go of him, Jacob demanded a blessing from the man.

“Your name will no longer be Jacob,” the man told him. “From now on you will be called Israel, because you have fought with God and with men and have won.” — Genesis 32:28

HEARING FROM GOD

In Genesis 35, God called Jacob to return to the place where he had first encountered God. So Jacob returned to Bethel. Life had been difficult for Jacob, but it was evident that God had been present with him through it all. Jacob recognized that God had faithfully kept His covenant but that he, himself, 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’s family, and he needed to once again cleanse himself. He needed to bury the idols his family had accumulated and recommit himself to God.

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. And God reminded him that his identity had been changed; he was no longer Jacob with a rough past, but he was now Israel with a beautiful future.

Perhaps God is calling us back to the place where we entered into a covenant relationship with Him. This world we live in tends to have an impact on us with its stress and constant striving. There are moments when we recognize our need to RENEW our promise to God. This morning, 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 has been faithful and will continue to display His faithfulness in our lives, daily transforming us into who He has created us to be.

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, to make you the Lord of my day, and to 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.

Let all that I am praise the Lord;
with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.
Let all that I am praise the Lord;
may I never forget the good things he does for me.
He forgives all my sins
and heals all my diseases.
He redeems me from death
and crowns me with love and tender mercies.
He fills my life with good things.
My youth is renewed like the eagle’s! – Psalm 103:1-5

Today’s Reading: Genesis 21 & 26; Psalm 34; 1 Peter 3:8-22

After the treaty had been made at Beersheba, Abimelek and Phicol the commander of his forces returned to the land of the Philistines. Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba, and there he called on the name of the Lord, the Eternal God. And Abraham stayed in the land of the Philistines for a long time. — Genesis 21:32-34

When we think of the Philistines, we think of them as being enemies of the Hebrews, but their first appearance in the Bible shows an effort to coexist in peace. As we studied last week, King Abimelek reached out to make a covenant agreement with Abraham — a reciprocal relationship of integrity and peace between Abraham’s family and the Philistines. There had been a conflict over a well that Abraham’s servants had dug, but the two men stood before each other and peacefully resolved the conflict, creating clarity in order to ensure future understanding of who the well belonged to.

In chapter 26 of Genesis, we see history repeating itself. Just like Abraham had deceived King Abimelek into believing Sarah was his sister and not his wife, Isaac was deceiving King Abimelech regarding his wife, Rebekah. And in the same way that conflict arose over the possession of a well in chapter 21, conflict again caused unrest between the Philistines and Abraham’s descendants in chapter 26.

When Isaac planted his crops that year, he harvested a hundred times more grain than he planted, for the Lord blessed him. He became a very rich man, and his wealth continued to grow. He acquired so many flocks of sheep and goats, herds of cattle, and servants that the Philistines became jealous of him. So the Philistines filled up all of Isaac’s wells with dirt. These were the wells that had been dug by the servants of his father, Abraham. — Genesis 26:12-15

How do we respond when others try to pick a fight with us? When King Abimelech saw the trouble that was brewing, he asked Isaac to take his family and leave the country. He saw how powerful the Hebrews had become and he wanted to avoid the battle that was looming ahead.

CREATING DISTANCE IN ORDER TO AVOID CONFLICT

So Isaac packed up his family and moved to the Gerar Valley, where he had spent his childhood. His servants opened up the wells his father, Abraham, had dug, which the Philistines had filled. With the faith of his father, Isaac renamed the wells according to the names Abraham had given them.

Isaac’s servants also dug in the Gerar Valley and discovered a well of fresh water. But then the shepherds from Gerar came and claimed the spring. “This is our water,” they said, and they argued over it with Isaac’s herdsmen. So Isaac named the well Esek (which means “argument”). — Genesis 26:19-20

Do you ever feel like trouble follows you? I imagine this is how Isaac was feeling by now. He had moved his family, his servants and his possessions to a new area in order to avoid the trouble that was brewing, and here he was facing a new group that wanted to pick a fight.

To avoid an ARGUMENT, Isaac walked away and went on to dig a new well. But soon the bullies were back and disputing the ownership of the well, so Isaac named the well Sitnah, which means hostility. To circumvent HOSTILITY, Isaac moved on and dug a new well. Thankfully trouble did not follow him this time, so Isaac named the well Rehoboth, which means open space.

CREATING OPEN SPACE IN ORDER TO RESTORE PEACE

Isaac gave God the glory for the OPEN SPACE He was providing. He was grateful to find a place to call home, despite those who were trying to make life difficult for him and his family. God was giving him a season of peace in which to rest after a season of running from conflict.

One day King Abimelech came from Gerar with his adviser, Ahuzzath, and also Phicol, his army commander… “We can plainly see that the Lord is with you. So we want to enter into a sworn treaty with you. Let’s make a covenant. Swear that you will not harm us, just as we have never troubled you. We have always treated you well, and we sent you away from us in peace. And now look how the Lord has blessed you!” — Genesis 26:26-29

Isaac could have argued with the king about how he had been unfairly treated; he could have built a case around the injustice and bullying he had experienced. But instead, Isaac prepared a covenant feast to share with the king, and they ate and drank with each other. They promised not to interfere with each other, which resulted in the king and his people leaving in peace.

CREATING A TABLE FOR RESTORATION AND FELLOWSHIP

Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing. — 1 Peter 3:8-9

Father God, help me to remember this example in Isaac’s life when others try to pick a fight with me. Lord, I give to you those who have the desire to bully and those who have the tendency to argue. Give me the strength to walk away from conflict, and to trust you to create OPEN SPACE between me and others — a space where nothing stands between me and another person. I pray this morning for the day when I will feast in peace with those who have hurt me; I pray for the day when I will live in harmony with those I have forgiven or who have forgiven me. May your goodness and unfailing love follow me all the days of my life. Amen.

Does anyone want to live a life
that is long and prosperous?
Then keep your tongue from speaking evil
and your lips from telling lies!
Turn away from evil and do good.
Search for peace, and work to maintain it. – Psalm 34:12-14

Today’s Reading: Genesis 25-27; Psalm 31

Since the beginning of time, there has been a fascination with twins. When a woman is pregnant with multiples, we consider her pregnancy special and we all lean in to see the similarity between her children. Scientists have studied the physiological implications of sharing a womb, and psychoanalysts have built theories around nature versus nurture through their study of twins.

While twins seem to tweak our curiosity, they often bring fear to the woman carrying them. The new mother can easily feel overwhelmed with the thought of carrying, and then caring for, two babies at the same time. For Rebekah, it meant calamity. It meant two siblings struggling with each other before they were even born. After struggling with infertility, the Lord heard Isaac’s prayer and blessed Rebekah, saying to her:

“The sons in your womb will become two nations. From the very beginning, the two nations will be rivals. One nation will be stronger than the other; and your older son will serve your younger son.” – Genesis 25:23

Sure enough, Jacob was born pursuing his brother’s position as firstborn, with his hand grasping Esau’s heel. As they grew up, their differences increased with Esau becoming a skilled hunter of wild animals and Jacob staying closer to home to tend his father’s tamed flocks.

Showing he had little regard for his birthright and that he was driven more by his physical desires, Esau traded his privileges as first-born when Jacob offered his hungry brother a bowl of stew for the precious inheritance. Esau ate the meal, then got up and left (25:27-34), only to eventually be hungry again. He gave up his blessed position for temporary pleasure, the consequences of which changed his life.

ESAU’S FEAR: Fear of not getting what he wanted when he wanted it caused Esau to jeopardize all that was rightfully his as the firstborn son.

Isaac also allowed fear to jeopardize God’s blessing. There was a time of famine and Isaac moved his family to Gerar. The Lord told him to stay there instead of going on to Egypt. God promised Isaac that He would be with him and bless his family. Just as He told Abraham, God promised to give this land to Isaac and to make his descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky.

Despite this promise, Isaac feared the Philistines would kill him in order to obtain his beautiful wife, so he told everyone that Rebekah was his sister (just like his father had done). Isaac’s fear of death put his wife in danger and God’s blessing in jeopardy. King Abimelech (not to be confused with King Abimelek who was deceived in the same way by Abraham) saw Rebekah in Isaac’s arms one day and confronted his lie. Instead of sending Isaac and his family away, the king declared protection over them. And once more, God blessed His people in spite of their great fear and small faith.

ISAAC’S FEAR: Despite the promise of God’s blessing, Isaac foolishly let fear guide his decisions. He risked God’s plan for the life of his family out of fear for his own.

Although Rebekah remembered the Lord’s prophecy that her older son would serve her younger son, her fear that Esau would receive the blessing of the firstborn from Isaac caused her to intervene and choose deception instead of faith. Jacob willfully followed Rebekah’s plan of deception, pretending to be Esau and tricking Isaac. When Esau learned of this, he grieved his loss, and a hate for his brother began to grow. For his protection, Rebekah sent Jacob away and probably never saw him again.

REBEKAH’S FEAR: Rebekah let her fear get in the way of her faith, causing her to lose what she loved most. If she had trusted God’s provision of His promise, she might have grown old watching Jacob receive God’s blessings. But instead of faith she chose fear, using manipulation and deception to pull God’s plan into place.

BUT GOD’S PLAN NOT GOD’S WAY IS NEVER GOD’S WILL

What areas of my life am I letting fear control? In what ways is my fear getting in the way of my faith? Is my fear of not getting what I want standing between me and God’s perfect plan for my life?

Lord, teach me to trust in you for every provision. May your promises and blessings on my life pour out directly from your hand. Teach me to let go of my attempts to control and manipulate the circumstances around me. Help me to simply open up my hands to receive what you want in my life. Forgive me for the many times I let fear get in the way of my faith. God, I trust you. You are my Provider and my Protector. In you I place my trust, giving you my family and my future. Amen.

I will be glad and rejoice in your unfailing love, for you have seen my troubles, and you care about the anguish of my soul. – Psalm 31:7

But I am trusting you, O Lord, saying, “You are my God!”
My future is in your hands. – Psalm 31:14-15a

So be strong and courageous, all who put your hope in the Lord. – Psalm 31:24

Today’s Reading: Review Genesis 1-24; Psalm 82

As we near the half-way point of our journey through Genesis, we notice a common thread — that God blesses us in order to make us a blessing to other people. He has created us to give life to those around us, allowing Him to bless others through our lives.

GOD COMMANDS US TO BE LIFE-GIVING.

From the first chapter of Genesis, God’s command to mankind is to be fruitful and increase in number. He created plants, trees, animals, and people to be seed-bearing, giving each of them the ability to reproduce and multiply. He created us to be life-giving, not death seeking. But by the fourth chapter of Genesis, the first parents were grieving the murder of their second son.

Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.” — Genesis 4:6-7

With sin comes negative emotions, and when we choose to embrace sin, we give the enemy the opportunity to influence us towards the next sinful decision. Then sin begins to multiply in our lives and in the lives of those around us, until what God created to be life-giving is a world full of wickedness.

The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. The Lord regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled. So the Lord said, “I will wipe from the face of the earth the human race I have created—and with them the animals, the birds and the creatures that move along the ground—for I regret that I have made them.” — Genesis 6:5-7

With God’s big do-over, the world had a fresh start to be fruitful and multiply, and to fill the earth (9:1). God’s command was clear to Noah and his family — they were not to end the life of another human being.

GOD COMMANDS US NOT TO TAKE THE LIFE OF ANOTHER HUMAN.

“And I will require the blood of anyone who takes another person’s life. If a wild animal kills a person, it must die. And anyone who murders a fellow human must die. If anyone takes a human life, that person’s life will also be taken by human hands. For God made human beings in his own image. Now be fruitful and multiply, and repopulate the earth.” — Genesis 9:5-7

When God entered into a covenant relationship with Abraham, He promised that he would make Abraham into a great nation. He made a commitment to bless Abraham, but he also declared that Abraham would be a blessing to others (Genesis 12:2).

GOD CREATED US TO MULTIPLY AND GROW LIFE IN OTHER PEOPLE.

God’s plan since the beginning of time has been for us to give life to others, not to take it. He calls us to live a life that multiplies and grows life in other people. In Genesis 14, we see an example of Abraham living out his calling from God.

When Abram heard that his nephew Lot had been captured, he mobilized the 318 trained men who had been born into his household. Then he pursued Kedorlaomer’s army until he caught up with them at Dan. There he divided his men and attacked during the night. Kedorlaomer’s army fled, but Abram chased them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus. Abram recovered all the goods that had been taken, and he brought back his nephew Lot with his possessions and all the women and other captives. — Genesis 14:14-16

GOD CALLS US TO RESCUE OTHERS.

Defend the weak and the fatherless;
uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.
Rescue the weak and the needy;
deliver them from the hand of the wicked. — Psalm 82:3-4

This is what our compassionate God does. He showed grace towards Cain and allowed him to live, even though he had killed his brother. God provided an escape for Noah and his family during the flood. God healed Sarah’s womb and allowed her to give birth to Isaac. God answered the prayer of Abraham’s servant by providing a wife for Isaac. God showed mercy towards Hagar, who had been forced to have sexual relations with her master. God comforted Abraham as he mourned the death of Sarah, providing him with a place to bury his wife. This is the same God who calls us to multiply and grow life in other people.

Today marks 51 years of our nation devaluing the life of the unborn. But just because a courtroom decision says we have the right to do something does not mean we should. In a political battle between pro-life and pro-choice arguments, millions of men and women have been left wounded and grieving an abortion decision. Political agendas have left a trail of pain and mourning, and women have become pawns in a game where political power is the prize.

Surrounded by a society that no longer trusts in the sovereignty of God, we have a choice to make. Today is a good day for us to renew our covenant with God — to stand strong and commit that we will be image-bearers who multiply life in others and rescue the weak and needy. What is God asking of you? What is He calling you to do in response to the pain and woundedness of those around you?

TODAY I WILL BE AN IMAGE-BEARER WHO MULTIPLIES LIFE IN OTHERS. I WILL LOOK FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO RESCUE THE WEAK AND THE NEEDY.

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves;
ensure justice for those being crushed.
Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless,
and see that they get justice. — Proverbs 31:8-9

Today’s Reading: Genesis 24:16-67, Psalm 143

When asked by Abraham to travel back to his homeland to find a wife for Isaac, Abraham’s servant did so with an unwavering, obedient heart. He gathered together everything he needed for the journey and then set out to do as he had been told.

DELAYED OBEDIENCE IS DISOBEDIENCE.

The servant responded not only in quick obedience to Abraham, but also to the God of Abraham. When he arrived at his destination, he took time to pray for success in carrying out the mission to which he had been called. The servant asked God for clarity and God answered his prayer. He asked that the woman God had chosen for Isaac would willingly give him a drink and also generously offer to water his ten camels as well.

Before he had finished praying, he saw a young woman named Rebekah coming out with her water jug on her shoulder…Rebekah was very beautiful and old enough to be married, but she was still a virgin. She went down to the spring, filled her jug, and came up again. Running over to her, the servant said, “Please give me a little drink of water from your jug.”

“Yes, my lord,” she answered, “have a drink.” And she quickly lowered her jug from her shoulder and gave him a drink. When she had given him a drink, she said, “I’ll draw water for your camels, too, until they have had enough to drink.” – Genesis 24:15-19

My study Bible says that ten thirsty camels could drink as much as 250 gallons of water. This generous offer showed Rebekah was hard-working and hospitable. And by remaining a virgin, Rebekah was also AVAILABLE for God’s plan for her life.

The servant waited patiently, watching God be God — taking in the moment when God was answering his prayer and making his journey successful. He then took time to praise God and to give honor to the God who had led him on this journey.

BECAUSE HE OBEYED WITHOUT DELAY WHEN GOD CALLED HIM, THIS SERVANT HAD A FRONT ROW SEAT TO SIMPLY WATCH GOD BE GOD.

The man bowed low and worshiped the Lord. “Praise the Lord, the God of my master, Abraham,” he said. The Lord has shown unfailing love and faithfulness to my master, for he has led me straight to my master’s relatives.” – Genesis 24:26-27

Rebekah’s family wanted her to wait 10 days before leaving but the servant did not want to delay the completion of his mission. Rebekah recognized the hand of God on her life and willingly went with the servant right away, rather than taking the time to say goodbye to her family as was traditionally allowed.

DELAYED OBEDIENCE IS DISOBEDIENCE.

Now Isaac had come from Beer Lahai Roi, for he was living in the Negev. He went out to the field one evening to meditate, and as he looked up, he saw camels approaching. Rebekah also looked up and saw Isaac. She got down from her camel and asked the servant, “Who is that man in the field coming to meet us?”
“He is my master,” the servant answered. So she took her veil and covered herself. — Genesis 24:62-65

It was while spending time alone in God’s presence that Isaac looked up and saw Rebekah. I love how our faithful God speaks to us and moves in our lives during our quiet times with Him. I believe there was no doubt in Isaac’s mind and no wavering of Rebekah’s heart that God had chosen to join them together for His purpose and His plan.

Lord, we pause and wait patiently for you. We take time this morning to pray and to praise. We are willing to be used by you today. Lord, prepare and equip us to accomplish your will. Give us wisdom to know where to strategically position ourselves and how to pray specifically. Speak to us and give us an unwavering, obedient heart for you. We love you and we praise you for unfailing love and faithfulness towards us each day. You are the God who provides and we look forward to watching you simply be God today. Lord, we echo the words of the psalmist this morning as we cry out to be heard. Helps us to trust in your unfailing love and walk the path you lay out before us.

Hear my prayer, O Lord;
listen to my plea!
Answer me because you are faithful and righteous. – Psalm 143:1

I lift my hands to you in prayer.
I thirst for you as parched land thirsts for rain. – Psalm 143:6

​​Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning,
for I am trusting you.
Show me where to walk,
for I give myself to you. – Psalm 143:8

Teach me to do your will, for you are my God.
May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing. — Psalm 143:10

Today’s Reading: Genesis 23 – 24:15, Psalm 6 & 17

What if we were able to simply watch God be God today? What if we entered into our day WILLING, PREPARED, EQUIPPED and STRATEGICALLY POSITIONED to allow God to use us for His purposes and His plan? I wonder what kind of success we would experience if we took time to pray specifically for what is ahead.

LET’S CONSIDER WHAT GOD CAN DO WHEN WE ENTER OUR DAY WITH INTENTIONALITY AND THE HEART OF A SERVANT.

Sarah died at age 127. Abraham bought a plot of land surrounding a cave so that he could have a permanent burial place for his family. He, too, was getting up in age and it was time for him to find a wife for Isaac. He did not want Isaac to marry a local Canaanite woman, so he asked his oldest servant, the man in charge of his household, to travel back to his homeland to find Isaac a wife.

When asked to perform this important task for his master, Abraham’s servant was WILLING, he was PREPARED, and he left EQUIPPED to do what he had been asked to do. Next he STRATEGICALLY POSITIONED himself. He was there to find a young woman, so he went to the place where the women were known to go each day and draw water for their families. Then he PRAYED to God for success.

ABRAHAM’S SERVANT WAS WILLING, PREPARED, EQUIPPED AND STRATEGICALLY POSITIONED. MOST OF ALL, HE PRAYED TO GOD FOR SUCCESS IN DOING WHAT HE HAD BEEN CALLED UPON TO DO.

“O Lord, God of my master, Abraham,” he prayed. “Please give me success today, and show unfailing love to my master, Abraham. See, I am standing here beside the spring, and the young women of the town are coming out to draw water. This is my request. I will ask one of them, ‘Please give me a drink from your jug.’ If she says, ‘Yes, have a drink, and I will water your camels, too!’ – let her be the one you have selected as Isaac’s wife. This is how I will know that you have shown unfailing love to my master.” – Genesis 24:12-14

Abraham’s servant had been entrusted with a great responsibility. When it came time for him to carry out Abraham’s request, he asked God to be the one to give him success. His heart was genuine. He did not want success for his own merit but out of love for His master. And the Spirit compelled him to pray specifically.

Before he had finished praying.
BEFORE HE HAD EVEN FINISHED PRAYING.
Don’t miss this!
Before the words were completely out of his mouth, God specifically answered his prayer!

I will answer them before they even call to me.
While they are still talking about their needs,
I will go ahead and answer their prayers! – Isaiah 65:24

Lord, we come to you this morning with willing hearts. We ask that you prepare us and equip us for what you are calling us to do. Give us wisdom of where you would like to strategically position us today, whether that is in a place, in a moment or in a person’s life. Father God, we pray for success today — not success as the world defines it, but success in doing exactly what you want us to do today. Give us eyes to see and ears to hear. We love you, Lord. Amen.

The Lord has heard my plea;
the Lord will answer my prayer. – Psalm 6:9

I am praying to you because I know you will answer, O God.
Bend down and listen as I pray.
Show me your unfailing love in wonderful ways. – Psalm 17:6-7a

“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.” – Matthew 7:7-8

Today’s Reading: Genesis 22; Psalm 111; Philippians 4:10-20

WE DO NOT NEED TO PROTECT WHAT GOD GAVE US FROM THE GOD WHO GAVE IT TO US.

Abraham understood just how hard a task this is for parents. But Abraham would also have understood how it is the same God who blesses us with children in the first place who asks us to trust Him with what comes next — to do anything God would ask us to do with the blessings He has provided for us.

“Take your son, your only son – yes, Isaac, whom you love so much – and go to the land of Moriah. Go and sacrifice him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you.” The next morning Abraham got up early. He saddled his donkey and took two of his servants with him, along with his son, Isaac. Then he chopped wood for a fire for a burnt offering and set out for the place God had told him about. – Genesis 22:2-3

God promised Abraham that he would have countless descendants. Isaac was the fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham, yet God asked Abraham to sacrifice Isaac. I would have reacted with confusion and a lot of emotion, but that is not how Abraham displayed his faith. He trusted God to provide and faithfully, without hesitation, walked up the mountain with his greatest possession – his son.

Abraham arrived at his destination, but there was still no provision. He built the altar and placed the wood on top, but there was still no lamb for the sacrifice. Abraham lifted up his son and tied him to the wood. I imagine he looked around to see if God had come through for him. Still no sheep within sight. Abraham picked up the knife to kill his son as a sacrifice. It was at that moment that he heard the voice of an angel calling him.

ABRAHAM WAS WILLING TO TAKE WHAT HE HAD BEEN GIVEN HIM AND GIVE IT BACK TO GOD.

“Don’t lay a hand on the boy!” the angel said. “Do not hurt him in any way, for now I know that you truly fear God. You have not withheld from me even your son, your only son.”

Then Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught by its horns in a thicket. So he took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering in place of his son. Abraham named the place Yahweh-Yireh (which means “the Lord will provide”). To this day, people still use that name as a proverb: “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.” – Genesis 22:12-14

The Lord provided. These words hold such power over our current situations. To know with confidence that God keeps His promises, and to know that He provides for the fulfillment of those promises – this is the knowledge that keeps us going when it seems like life is moving too fast. This is what helps us cling to the Lord instead of embracing all the blessings He has bestowed on us.

And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:19

GOD SEES OUR SITUATION AND HEARS OUR CRIES. DO NOT BE AFRAID! THE LORD WILL PROVIDE!

Here I am, Lord. Show me this morning that what I am clinging to has never been mine to begin with. Help me to trust you with my marriage, my family, my job, my finances, my health, my friends and my future. Remind me of your provisions and give me the strength to trust you with what comes next. I thank you for the abundant blessings you so generously extend to me every day. I place EVERYTHING on the altar and I choose to listen to your voice. I choose to trust you whether I have plenty or little. You are Yahweh-Yireh, and I choose to surrender everything to you this morning. Amen.

I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. – Philippians 4:12-13

All he does is just and good, and all his commandments are trustworthy.
They are forever true, to be obeyed faithfully and with integrity.
He has paid a full ransom for his people.
He has guaranteed his covenant with them forever.
What a holy, awe-inspiring name he has!
Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom.
All who obey his commandments will grow in wisdom.
Praise him forever! — Psalm 111:7-10

Today’s Reading: Genesis 21:27-34; Psalm 84

So Abraham brought sheep and cattle and gave them to Abimelek, and the two men made a treaty. Abraham set apart seven ewe lambs from the flock, and Abimelek asked Abraham, “What is the meaning of these seven ewe lambs you have set apart by themselves?” – Genesis 21:17-29

WHY SEVEN LAMBS?

On that day, Abraham made a covenant with King Abimelek — a promise that he would show kindness and deal honestly with the people of Gerar. You see, the king had generously allowed Abraham and his large family to set up tents and live wherever they wanted to in his country, but now he was asking for reciprocity. Now he was securing a covenant relationship that would protect his family and country from this growing group of foreigners. Abimelek was making his hospitality official, recognizing that Abraham’s family could stay and live in peace, if they would indeed promise to live peacefully with the people of Gerar.

Abraham gave King Abimelek sheep and cattle to signify his commitment to this treaty. I guess you could say he was putting some “skin in the game” — he was making both a verbal commitment and a sacrificial transaction. That made sense to the king, but the additional seven ewe lambs did not. So the king inquired about the significance of this extra gift.

He replied, “Accept these seven lambs from my hand as a witness that I dug this well.”
So that place was called Beersheba, because the two men swore an oath there. – Genesis 21:30-31

To protect their relationship and take away the opportunity for future conflict, Abraham purchased the well he had dug by giving the king seven female lambs. These lambs would continue to reproduce and be a blessing to the king. The intentionality of Abraham’s gift gave clarity to the ownership of the well, which would hopefully prevent future conflict between the king’s servants and Abraham’s family. Abraham in essence got out in front of the potential problem in order to protect their relationship and stay true to his word.

After the treaty had been made at Beersheba, Abimelek and Phicol the commander of his forces returned to the land of the Philistines. Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba, and there he called on the name of the Lord, the Eternal God. And Abraham stayed in the land of the Philistines for a long time. – Genesis 21:32-34

WHY A TAMARISK TREE?

Earlier in this chapter, we read of a grieving mother who laid down her son under a shrub to die. She trusted the shrub to provide the boy with a comfortable place to rest from the heat of the sun while he took his last breaths. God opened Hagar’s eyes to show her a nearby well of water. God provided sustenance at just the right moment, and He continued to be with Ishmael as he grew up (21:20). Today we consider Ismael’s father and the significance of a new planting — a new moment with beautiful significance.

The tamarisk tree is known for its ability to cool and provide shade for desert travelers. During the hottest part of the day, the tamarisk tree secretes salt. At night, the salt absorbs the moisture in the night air. As the day begins, that water evaporates in such a way that a cooling effect is created, similar to air conditioning. The tree produces beautiful pink or white flowers, and is known to live up to 100 years. With roots growing as deep as 30 feet below the surface, the tamarisk tree draws from the deep water tables to survive even in the heat of the desert. There is a sense of endurance and perseverance with this desert tree. [https://ww2.odu.edu/~lmusselm/plant/bible/tamarix.php]

When I question the significance of planting a tamarisk tree, I consider this moment in Abraham’s life when he was finally able to put in deep roots. God was providing a place for him to stay and live in peace with the Philistines. After years of nomadic life, this must have felt like a cool breeze on a hot summer day to Abraham.

It was also common to plant a tree in honor of a great man, so perhaps the significance of this tree was to honor the God who had provided Abraham with a son, land, water and now a season of peace. The credit would not go to the hospitality of the king or the shrewd business contract made by Abraham, but rather the glory would go to God. Instead of letting the significance of this moment pass, Abraham took time to worship God at Beersheba, and to plant a tree in remembrance of God’s beautiful provision.

How lovely is your dwelling place,
O Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
I long, yes, I faint with longing
to enter the courts of the Lord.
With my whole being, body and soul,
I will shout joyfully to the living God.
Even the sparrow finds a home,
and the swallow builds her nest and raises her young
at a place near your altar,
O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, my King and my God!
What joy for those who can live in your house,
always singing your praises. – Psalm 84:1-4

Let’s take a moment this morning to recognize the Lord’s provision in our own life. In what ways has he blessed us, and in what ways has he equipped us for success? Let’s recognize those moments when resting in God’s presence is like reclining in the shade of a tamarisk tree in the middle of our desert.

A single day in your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else!
I would rather be a gatekeeper in the house of my God than live the good life in the homes of the wicked.
For the Lord God is our sun and our shield.
He gives us grace and glory.
The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right.
O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, what joy for those who trust in you. — Psalm 84:10-12