January 17
GENESIS 45:16-47:27
I think we have a secret desire for our lives to be like a dot to dot -- let me explain. In a dot to dot, there is a clear next step for your line. You move from number 1 to number 2 etc. There are no surprises and, from the very beginning, you can get a general sense of where you are headed and what the picture is going to be. Life is not like that. It is filled with twists, turns, unexpected events, and often heart breaking tragedies.
Our reading today is an example of these surprises. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob/Israel had been told that they would have the Promised Land as their inheritance. This promise must have been interpreted at times to mean that they would remain in the land uninterrupted (despite Genesis 15:13-16): thus, God has to tell Jacob that he was allowed to go with his family to Egypt. This was a surprise to Jacob, but not to God. Despite the surprise of moving the whole family down to Egypt, nothing regarding God would change. All of God's promises would remain and would find fulfillment. Nothing in our lives, not our feelings, thoughts, actions, or external circumstances can thwart the guarantees of God. What hope and certainty that brings; knowing that nothing, yes, absolutely nothing can thwart the plans of God.
Father God, thank you that you are the sovereign king of the universe. Thank you that nothing takes you by surprise, so I can trust in you in all of life. Help me to rest in you, rely on you, and trust in you even when life seems out of control. Amen.
Question: In what surprising event in your life have you seen God work for his glory
I think we have a secret desire for our lives to be like a dot to dot -- let me explain. In a dot to dot, there is a clear next step for your line. You move from number 1 to number 2 etc. There are no surprises and, from the very beginning, you can get a general sense of where you are headed and what the picture is going to be. Life is not like that. It is filled with twists, turns, unexpected events, and often heart breaking tragedies.
Our reading today is an example of these surprises. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob/Israel had been told that they would have the Promised Land as their inheritance. This promise must have been interpreted at times to mean that they would remain in the land uninterrupted (despite Genesis 15:13-16): thus, God has to tell Jacob that he was allowed to go with his family to Egypt. This was a surprise to Jacob, but not to God. Despite the surprise of moving the whole family down to Egypt, nothing regarding God would change. All of God's promises would remain and would find fulfillment. Nothing in our lives, not our feelings, thoughts, actions, or external circumstances can thwart the guarantees of God. What hope and certainty that brings; knowing that nothing, yes, absolutely nothing can thwart the plans of God.
Father God, thank you that you are the sovereign king of the universe. Thank you that nothing takes you by surprise, so I can trust in you in all of life. Help me to rest in you, rely on you, and trust in you even when life seems out of control. Amen.
Question: In what surprising event in your life have you seen God work for his glory
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