Genesis 25-26, Intentional Reminders

“From there he went up to Beer-sheba, and the Lord appeared to him that night and said, 

“I am the God of your father Abraham.  Do not be afraid, for I am with you.  I will bless you and multiply your offspring because of my servant Abraham.” 

So he built an altar there, called on the name of the Lord, and pitched his tent there. Isaac’s servants also dug a well there. ”

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭26‬:‭23‬-‭25‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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I love this little obscure passage where Jacob is just going about life. Doing nothing in particular when God shows up to remind him of truth.  God reminds him of past promises and tells him that He is still working to fulfill them.  

God didn’t need to send that reminder…He could have continued to keep His word, and allow it to become evident over time.  But God chose to show up and provide further confirmation and give Jacob confidence in Him…building his faith.

Lord, thank You for caring for us in just the way we need, using Scripture to hold out Your promises whenever we need them.  Help me to trust You and listen to your promises, especially when they feel far from possible!

Genesis 22-24, Conversions w/ God

 “After these things God tested Abraham  and said to him, “Abraham! ”

 “Here I am,” he answered. 

“Take your son,” he said, “your only son Isaac, whom you love,  go to the land of Moriah,  and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about.” 

So Abraham got up early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took with him two of his young men and his son Isaac. He split wood for a burnt offering and set out to go to the place God had told him about.”

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭22‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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Reading this passage makes me yearn to have conversations with God like this.  What a privilege and blessing to hear directly from Him and know exactly what He is calling you to do!

I would like to believe that this clarity would make obedience easier…maybe that is true…but it feels like having confidence in Gods specific call would be amazing!  

Lord, help me to hear Your instruction to me.  Tune my heart to hear Your voice and my mind to read Your Word with clarity!

Genesis 19-21, Consequence of Sin

 “As soon as the angels got them outside, one of them  said, “Run for your lives! Don’t look back and don’t stop anywhere on the plain! Run to the mountains, or you will be swept away! ”  But Lot’s wife looked back and became a pillar of salt.”

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭19‬:‭17‬, ‭‭26‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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Obeying God seems very straightforward…but that does not mean it always makes sense, nor is it easy.  I know that I am very familiar with what sin is and what God is calling me to do, yet sometimes I treat these commands as recommendations…guidelines or very flexible suggestions.  I occasionally choose sin, choose to ignore what I know is right…just like Lot’s wife.

Lord, I want to follow You in every detail of my life.  I don’t want to pretend your commands are suggestions but want to obey Your every word!  Strengthen me to consider obedience in everything a life or death decision and strengthen my by Your Spirit to choose to follow You!

Thank You also, for Your mercy.  You are so patient and kind and I do not deserve any of it.  Keep my mind and heart filled with thankfulness to You!!!

Genesis 12-15, “Helping” God

 “When he was about to enter Egypt, he said to his wife, Sarai, “Look, I know what a beautiful woman you are. When the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ They will kill me but let you live.  Please say you’re my sister so it will go well for me because of you, and my life will be spared on your account.””

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭12‬:‭11‬-‭13‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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I wish that Abram’s actions to “help” God were less familiar.  I feel like I default to attempting to accomplish “Gods will” in my life…looking for ways to force things to work out in a way that gets me what I want.  It’s sad to look back and see how common this has been for me.

Lord, thank You for helping me to see this pattern of faithlessness.  Thank You for gently correcting me and removing my blinders.  Help me to trust You to accomplish Your will…give me patience to wait for Your perfect timing and Your plan. Build my faith in You, and You alone!

Job 40-42, Sovereign

 “I  know that you can do anything and no plan of yours can be thwarted. ”

‭‭Job‬ ‭42‬:‭2‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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I am so thankful for this truth about God!  All things are within Gods ability to accomplish, and nothing can stop His plans.  This is such an encouraging reminder because oftentimes I look around at the trial I am in and my own worry shouts that I am in trouble, because things look hopeless.  But in this worry and fear I am acting like God is powerless…how foolish!

Lord, build my faith in You and my confidence in Your plan!  Remind me of all the ways you have been faithful in the past!!!

Job 38-39, Purposefully Limited

 “Who is this who obscures my counsel with ignorant words?  Get ready to answer me like a man; when I question  you, you will inform me.”

‭‭Job‬ ‭38‬:‭2‬-‭3‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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Just like the thunderstorm reminds us of our small place, Gods questions to Job remind him of his smallness.  It’s as if God were demonstrating Jobs ignorance…

Lord, the humility of humanity means we are limited.  Help me to embrace who You created me to be, including my limitations, weakness and failures…

Job 35-37, Beauty & Chaos

 “My heart  pounds at this and leaps from my chest.  Just listen to his thunderous voice and the rumbling that comes from his mouth. He lets it loose beneath the entire sky; his lightning to the ends  of the earth. Then there comes a roaring sound; God thunders with his majestic voice. He does not restrain the lightning when his rumbling voice is heard. God thunders wondrously with his voice; he does great things that we cannot comprehend.”

‭‭Job‬ ‭37‬:‭1‬-‭5‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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There is a reason that thunderstorms bring awe from deep within us, it is a display of power, chaos and beauty!  None of which can we control… Gods fingerprints in that storm remind us that we are small and insignificant in comparison to all that God is doing.  Yet, He also cares about every detail of our life…we don’t deserve that level of care, but He gives it graciously!

Lord, help me to live in awe of You!  Allow my heart to remember Your faithfulness when the chaos of life is overwhelming.  Remind me that You are bigger than any problem and more powerful than my circumstances!