Feeds:
Posts
Comments

Archive for the ‘God Stories’ Category

Crossed Arms

Posted in Bible Study, Genesis, God, God Stories, Jesus Christ, Prayer, Spiritual Growth, The Father, Worship, tagged , , , , , , , on February 24, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Genesis 48-50, Crossed Arms. Throughout Genesis we see the “expected way” to be upended. The Law of primogenitor stated that the inheritance, birthright, and double portion of blessing belong to the firstborn male in the family. It was the accepted rule in the time of the Patriarchs and still exists today in many societies. Yet in Genesis, we see this “law” broken in almost every case. The list of firstborn sons who did NOT receive this place of preeminence is longer than those who do. Cain, Ishmael, Esau, Reuben, and today Manasseh are all passed over and a younger sibling is given the leading role.

Jacob is old and almost blind when he “adopts” Joseph’s two oldest sons – Manasseh and Ephraim. Jacob is a younger brother to his twin Esau. We remember that Jacob used deception to steal his father’s blessing for the oldest son. Today in pronouncing blessing upon the two boys Jacob crosses his arms to intentionally bless Ephraim, the second son, with the blessing reserved for the older.

Two things struck me. First, the LORD has blessed me far greater than I deserve. The relationship He has drawn me into with Himself is truly life-giving and joy-inducing. Yet so many of God’s answers to my prayers have been different from what I expected. My prayers early in my walk included a good bit of instruction to God on how to meet the need I was praying about. God would answer, yet the path to His blessing was completely different than what I expected. And it was always better because of this. Second, the Bible refers to Jesus as our older brother, the firstborn from the dead. We know He truly exists in preeminence. Yet He passes on blessings to us, His younger siblings, in portions far beyond our merit. Grace, God’s unmerited favor, rests upon us because of Jesus’ death, resurrection and life.

Father, thank you for blessing us richly. You are no respecter of persons in the sense of entitlement. But you are the Lover of our souls, and you are at work wooing, training, and surprising us with grace upon grace. May we live to pass on your blessing to the people you bring into our lives… family, friends, and even the stranger we meet as we go through life.

Read Full Post »

The Greater Blesses the Lesser

Posted in Bible Study, Genesis, God, God Stories, Responsibility, Service, tagged , , , , , , on February 24, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Genesis 46-47, The Greater Blesses the Lesser. When Jacob and his family arrive in Egypt, Joseph brings his father in to meet Pharoah. Pharoah is the king of Egypt, the highest office in the land. While he has elevated Joseph to the highest administrative role in all the land, ultimate authority still rests with Pharoah. Yet when Jacob enters into Pharoah’s presence it is Jacob who blesses Pharoah… twice. From our perspective millennia later, we know that the relationship between Israel and Egypt has been a tumultuous one with slavery, genocide, war and general distrust, but in this case honor and blessing are given. It seems incongruous that Jacob is the one doing the blessing in the context of Israel needing deliverance from the famine and Egypt being the place of that rescue.

But in the bigger picture, God is already at work implementing His amazing act of cosmic deliverance. Through the cruel acts of Israel’s sons, Joseph was sent to Egypt to prepare for the famine. Joseph’s interpretation of the dreams and his wise accumulation of resources prior to the famine saved Egypt and Israel. God was working through Jacob’s family to deliver the Pharoah and his people. And God, who had wrestled with Jacob many years prior, spoke to Jacob at Beersheba, He was directing him to settle in Egypt in preparation for His next cosmic move. We know God’s work through Abraham’s descendants was just getting started but already we see worldly powers recognizing and submitting to God’s blessing through His people.

We are called to continue God’s blessing into the world we live in. We are not called to be uninvolved observers, but rather active participants in God’s redeeming work today. And we do that from the place of staying close to the Father and following the leading of the Holy Spirit.

LORD, you have blessed us richly by drawing us into relationship with you. Teach us and lead us into divine conversations where you bless through our words and actions. May your mercy, grace, truth and love flow from our lives in such a way that others come to know you. Jesus, be lifted up. Jesus, be exalted. Jesus, be glorified in us and through us today.  

Read Full Post »

God’s Sovereignty and Changed Lives

Posted in Bible Study, Genesis, God, God Stories, Responsibility, The Father, Trials, tagged , , , , , on February 24, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Genesis 43-45, God’s Sovereignty and Changed Lives. This is one of my favorite stories in the Bible, particularly what this demonstrates about God’s overarching sovereignty and how He changes lives for the good. Joseph says more than once that what his brothers meant for evil, God meant for good. His riches to rags to riches story did an amazing work in his life. I cannot imagine that He could easily see an outcome this good as he served his master Potipher or while he sat in prison. We get a sense that he had a hopeful perspective simply from the fact that his actions stood out even in these dark places such that he was elevated to leading roles. But nothing but the dreams God had given him could have prepared him for the dramatic turn of events that placed his brothers squarely under his control. Yet, after making his brothers squirm for a relatively short period, Joseph rescues them. Forgiveness and rescue by the one who had been wronged. A foreshadowing of Jesus.

But we see a similar transformation in Judah. In Genesis 38 Judah is shown to be less than honorable. And in Genesis 37:26, it was Judah who suggested that they get rid of Joseph and make a profit from him by selling him as a slave. Yet 22 years later, it is Judah who offers himself as a substitute for his little brother, Benjamin. He is willing to face slavery or possibly even death in the place of another. Did guilt and remorse drive him to this? I’m sure they played a part. The real point is that his heart had changed and instead of putting himself first, he was more concerned for the welfare of his father and brother. A drastic change of heart indeed. Judah’s willingness to suffer in the place of another is yet another foreshadowing of the One who offered to suffer in our place on a cross many years later.

Father, whether we experience a dramatic turnaround like Joseph or we simply enjoy your presence in calmer ways, the reality is you are in control and you are at work changing us to be like you. We want this, Lord. Help us to desire it so deeply that the old manner of thinking and living dies away and the new life of living for you and for others becomes totally natural. Blessed be the Name of the LORD who loves us into new life.

Read Full Post »

Dysfunction and the Grace of God

Posted in Bible Study, Genesis, God Stories, Trials, tagged , , , , , on February 21, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Genesis 30-31, It is important to put Jacob’s story in context. He was living in the ancient near east before the Law was given. There were obviously some generally accepted aspects of a moral code, but a written standard of behavior doesn’t seem to exist. Yet even given this context, we see all manner of greed, manipulation, and deceit at work in Jacob’s family. In today’s reading we get some 15 years compressed into 2 chapters, but it’s easy to picture a contentious household based upon the few stories captured here. Into this maelstrom we see God’s plan weaving through to bless Jacob and lead him back to the land of promise.

Stories like this make it essential to remember the inspired Word of God consists of various forms of literature. In the Old Testament in particular it is often DESCRIPTIVE of situations rather than PRESCRIPTIVE. The description of less-than-optimal family dynamics likely mirror dysfunction that can be found in many homes today. Yet, through the 20 years Jacob lived under the yoke of obligation to Laban, God’s grace would show up in little ways.  My mind went back to Jacob’s departure from Isaac and how he referred to “Isaac’s God” rather than “the LORD.” God is working in Jacob’s heart through the years of hard work, dysfunction in his family, pressure from his uncle / father-in-law, and separation from the land God, through Isaac, promised him. In leaving Laban, Jacob is taking a big risk. One, his father-in-law won’t like it and might bring harm to his family. Two, his brother who he cheated 20 years before might still want to kill him. And three, the arduous trip itself would be difficult for his family. This is a very intense situation. We’ll see how Jacob handles this soon.

LORD, life is often tumultuous. Pressure from various sources threaten us and seek to push and pull us away from you. But you are there even when we don’t see you… when we don’t feel you. Thank you for your grace that often comes in small glimpses. Give us eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart to know that you are present at all times. You are so good, so faithful, so amazing, so worthy of all our praise which we give to you today. Be exalted O LORD, our God!

Addendum: As I started to write out this prayer, the flight attendant asked me to put up my laptop for take-off. I folded my computer and then let the prayer just flow for 10 minutes or so as we went down the runway and into the air. During that prayer the LORD made this very personal for me. We have a child who dutifully went to church with us until he went off to college. Since then, he has charted his own course. I can see his approach towards the LORD would be similar to Jacob’s. A personal relationship with the Lord has not been a priority for him. At best, he would refer to God as “my parent’s God”. He is right at 20 years since going off to college. I believe the Lord brought that to mind, not just for me, but for everyone reading this who has a loved one who does not yet have a personal relationship with the LORD. It is His desire and our most blessed relationship to be joined with the Father who loves us more than we can know. God’s message to me and to you is: “Don’t give up. Keep praying. Keep loving. Keep hoping. I am at work and I will bring my children home.”

Read Full Post »

Trickster Becomes the Tricked

Posted in Bible Study, Genesis, God Stories, Trials, tagged , , , , , , on February 21, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Genesis 27-29, We’ll follow Jacob for several chapters and one thing that fascinates me is the arc of Jacob’s life from scheming trickster to the beloved patriarch of twelve sons and one daughter. Jacob’s early life is spent in the shadow of the tribe’s tents. Isaac was wealthy, so there wasn’t a need for the sons to venture far afield for game. Esau couldn’t help himself. It was what he loved. Jacob stayed close to home. As such he was positioned to steal his brother’s rightful blessing. The degree of planning and deceit woven into Jacob’s and Rebekah’s tricking of Jacob is stunning. It seems tremendously important that Jacob refers to God as “Isaac’s God” rather than as the LORD. He doesn’t yet know God personally. We’ll keep our eye on the arc of Jacob’s life to see this change.

That Jacob lands in the perfect location to begin a new life with Laban and his family shows God’s favor despite Jacob’s flaws. But God is not finished with lessons for Jacob. Imagine on the morning after your wedding you find someone other than the woman you thought you had just married lying beside you. For us, it is horror and humor mixed together. For Jacob, it was to feel a little of what his brother Esau must have felt. God’s desire is that we all grow and mature in faith in Him. It is a little less painful if we choose to learn from the Word and the wisdom of others. But in His wisdom, grace, and love, He often gives us experiences that open our eyes to seeing from a whole new perspective… even if it’s a little painful.

Father, thank you for leading and teaching us all our lives. My receptivity to your life lessons is variable at times, but you are always faithful to provide those opportunities, nonetheless. We say yes to your lessons, and we will strive to be open to learning and applying what we learn as we go forward. May our lives reflect your grace as we allow you to transform us. May we live immersed in your Word and intentionally seeking to walk closely with you all our days. To you be the glory, O LORD, our God!

Read Full Post »

Christophany

Posted in God, Jesus Christ, God Stories, worldview, Trials, Bible Study, Genesis, tagged , , , on February 21, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Genesis 22-24, So many deep and rich nuggets embedded in today’s stories. What stood out was the moment when Abraham raised the knife over his son, his only son Isaac, and The Angel of the LORD stayed his hand. Scholars tell us that this phrase “the angel of the LORD” is much more than a messenger angel. They say this is a Christophany, an appearance of the pre-incarnate Christ in human form.

Understanding this I can’t help but think about the Son of God, who will one day hang on a cross as a sacrifice, in this day interceding for Isaac. What He did for Isaac, He will one day do for all humanity. But instead of a ram caught in a thicket it will be Him willingly offering Himself at the behest of His heavenly Father. 

Holy Lord, you did for us what we could not do for ourselves. You are the Holy Lamb of God and we worship you!

Read Full Post »

A Pretty Poor Trade

Posted in Bible Study, Bible Study, Genesis, God Stories, Priorities, tagged , , , , , , on February 21, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Genesis 25-26, I’ve marveled at Esau’s short-sightedness every time I read the story of him selling his birthright to his younger brother Jacob. There’s hungry and really wanting some food, but to give up your birthright as the oldest son is a pretty high price to pay. There are a lot of things in play here. First off, Esau’s mind was in the moment not the long-term ramifications. Second, his value system was skewed. That which was truly important, he valued too lightly while placing undue value on that which was both fleeting and common. Third, God who exists outside of time, knew the outcomes these two brothers would walk in. He had foretold it to Rebekah when she prayed to the Lord about the struggling twins inside her womb. That struggle continued through their birth and into their adulthood.

My takeaways are not necessarily to be like Jacob. He was not “righteous” in all this. But we can learn from Esau. I will not be ruled by my stomach nor by short-term benefit for long-term loss. I will prioritize that which is truly important, even the seemingly lesser things that are truly valuable like morning coffee with my beloved when I am in town. And I will seek the LORD with all that I am, seeking to walk in the path He has laid out for me to bless and serve wherever He takes me.

Lord, help us to keep our eyes on you, trusting you with the big picture. Help us to value things rightly, making the things of God, whether big or small, our priority. And lead us in the way of righteousness, loving and serving from a heart that is daily being shaped more and more to be like yours. Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on us today. Amen.

Read Full Post »

From One Family

Posted in Bible Study, Bible Study, Genesis, God, God Stories, Prayer, Worship, tagged , , , , , on February 21, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Genesis 12-15, Today’s reading is bookended with God speaking great and mighty promises to Abram. The first is that through Abram’s family, a great nation will come that will bless all the families of the earth. In chapter 15 the LORD repeats the promise that it will be through Abram’s very own son that a great nation will be brought forth who will be the blessing to all nations. This is an amazing promise in its own right but considering that Abram was75 years old when we first meet him and the second promise comes some time later as he and his family sojourn in the land of Canaan, it will require a miracle to occur. Fortunately, no promise of God will go unfulfilled AND God is in the miracle business. Being the Creator and Sustainer of all life, it is no big deal for God to create life through Abram and Sarai. It is the timing that often trips us up.

We are four thousand years later, and we know how true these promises are and how they have been, and are being, fulfilled. First came the nation of Israel which still exists today. Second came Jesus, the Messiah for all mankind. God’s promises to Abram fulfilled. But God hasn’t stopped making promises and He is still fulfilling promises. You and I are recipients of so many promises from God. A foundational promise for me is a universal promise to everyone who bends the knee in surrender to Jesus as Lord. He says, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” I can bank on that because He is faithful and true. He was to Abram. He is to you and He is to me.

O Lord God Almighty, you are faithful and your promises are true. We give you all the faith we can muster knowing that you are able to take our offerings and do what we can’t with it. You are building and shaping us into a nation of priests to minister to all nations. Lord, we say yes. Use our words, our actions, our giving to further your kingdom. May the Good News of Jesus transform us in such a way that it flows to everyone we meet and everywhere we go. Be glorified O LORD our God. Be glorified!

Read Full Post »

Mis-taking God’s Promise

Posted in Prayer, God Stories, Marriage, Bible Study, Genesis, tagged , , , , on February 21, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Genesis 16-18, Today’s reading is full of God showing up and making promises. When God shows up in visible form it’s called a theophany. God had Abraham and Sarah in the center of His grand plan. Changing their names was a major event that creates a bonding and a sense of ownership that demonstrates God’s Lordship in their lives.

My conscience was pricked as I read Sarai’s attempt to fulfill God’s promise on her own. How many times have I taken a clear promise or prompting of the Lord and ran with it without waiting upon the Lord. Too many. But this is the beautiful thing, God still fulfilled His promise to Sarai, in His timing. While it would be better to obey perfectly, the Lord still works with us through our mistakes to bring about a maturing of our faith and obedience. Which is just another reason He is worthy of our worship.

Father, thank you that you play the long game in training us in faith. That you continue to work with us through our mistakes and impatience is so wonderful. Your grace is truly amazing. We submit to your loving correction anew today. We desire to live faithful and we know you are bringing this about day by day. To you be the glory.

Read Full Post »

God Plays the Long Game

Posted in Bible Study, God, God Stories, heaven, job, Trials, tagged , , , , , , , , on January 12, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Job 32-34, God Plays the Long Game. A young man shows up in today’s reading, Elihu, and he initially seems to bring some much-needed wisdom to the conversation with Job. Unfortunately, he heads down the same path as the three friends telling Job what a rebellious sinner he must be for God to punish him so. Before he starts accusing Job without truly knowing the background, he says some things about God that are true as he describes God as merciful. In Job 33:29-30 Elihu points out that God will allow pain and suffering to get a person’s attention and to turn them away from sin and back to Him. This is a true statement, and it speaks to God’s mercy. But it is not the reason for all pain and suffering as Job’s story shows us.  There are times when the brokenness of this world impacts us and we suffer independent of our relationship with the Father. And perhaps an even more paradoxical reason is that in some cases the suffering of a righteous person might be to reach an unrighteous neighbor, friend, or family member.

The martyred missionary, Jim Elliot comes to mind. Jim felt called to reach a cannibalistic tribe in the upper Amazon region of Ecuador. After months of preparation and repeated attempts to find ways to communicate with the tribe, the missionaries found an area on a river in the jungle where they could land their plane. Within a few days they were killed. While this could easily be the end of the story; a thwarted attempt to reach a remote, violent tribe in some distant jungle, it was not. Jim’s widow, Elizabeth, shared his passion. Not long after Jim’s death, Elizabeth was able to reach the Waodani tribe that had killed her husband. She befriended them. She moved in to live with them with her and Jim’s young daughter. And through her the tribe was converted and the Bible translated into their language. Jim’s words written shortly before his death are a powerful reminder that God plays the long game, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”

Father, help us to keep in mind the long game. Remind us that our words echo through time if they are your words spoken in truth and love. Teach us to number our days with eternity in mind, that we might live lightly in this world and fully with you. In Jesus’ Name we pray.

Read Full Post »

Older Posts »