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Posts Tagged ‘faith’

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.

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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.  

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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.

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Time and Waiting

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

Genesis 41-42, Time and Waiting. Being a person inclined to activity, I have not always appreciated waiting. In fact, choosing between waiting quietly or finding something TO DO while I am forced to wait is not really a choice. The term “killing time” was invented for people like me. Yet, I recognize that I have not exactly aligned with God’s best in this. While God exists outside of time, He was intentional in placing us into the context of time. Much of what God desires to do in us is framed by time. In fact, much of His most consequential work is a product of His grace experienced over time. In today’s reading we see God’s use of time in the lives of Joseph, his brother’s, and even for the people in the ancient near East in Joseph’s day.

If God had not given the dream to Pharoah, had Joseph interpret the dream, and given seven years of abundance to prepare for the seven years of famine, the entire region would have suffered. As it was, there was grain enough for Egypt and the surrounding areas because the seven years of abundance was wisely used thanks to Joseph. This theme of using time wisely is subtle but important in Joseph’s story.  Joseph had been separated from his birth family for at least 20 years by the time his brothers came seeking to buy grain. In that time God had raised and blessed Joseph to the second highest official in the land of Egypt. We must remember that for 13 years of that time he was either a slave or a prisoner. That would be waiting of a rather mean and challenging sort. But God’s work in the intervening years also did a work in Joseph’s brothers. There seems to be real remorse on their part for what they did to their brother.

As I ponder and pray this morning, my mind goes to many wonderful things God has done in my life over time. Thankfulness flows naturally. Then I consider the things I am still waiting for. Joseph’s story helps me to recognize that God is at work even when I don’t see immediate results. He is there in the midst of my waiting. He is ever present and He is at work. My faith is stretched in waiting. Knowing He has heard my prayers and met my needs before, I know I can trust Him with those that are still to be seen. And for this, I can wait.

Thank you, faithful LORD. We wait on you today.

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The LORD Was With Him

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

Genesis 38-40, The LORD Was With Him. It would have been easy for Joseph to give up and throw the towel in at numerous points along the way. In yesterday’s reading his brothers first sought to kill him but were turned away at the last minute by the oldest brother, Reuben, and they sold him into slavery instead. Today we see him serving as a slave for a decade before he is lied about and thrown into prison. He had taken the high moral ground with his master’s wife only to have her turn on him when he wouldn’t have sex with her. Talk about being punished for doing the right thing. And then in prison, he interprets the dreams of two of the king’s servants only to have them forget him when they have a chance to put in a good word for him. (I guess we can give the baker a pass since the interpretation he got coming true wasn’t exactly memorable in a positive way!)

Jacob / Israel, Joseph’s father, had a number of occasions through the years where the LORD spoke to him to direct his steps. We don’t get that kind of insight into Joseph. Scripture doesn’t describe God speaking to him in the same way. What we do see is the phrase “the LORD was with him” four times in today’s reading and then we see both natural and supernatural gifting that sets Joseph apart from others. Joseph’s actions are primarily on the up and up. We don’t see the deception and manipulation that characterized his father’s life as a young man. Instead, he is the recipient of “harm” because of deception and manipulation. What is beautiful to see, and a character trait to emulate, is that he did not stop trusting in the LORD who was with him. Even in the “unfair” situations he kept finding himself, he continued to rely on the LORD who was with him. And in the readings thus far, God has already used him to bless others. I can’t wait to see what the LORD does next with this kind of faith.

LORD, Joseph’s faith is impressive. I can only imagine the times he was mistreated and the temptation to despair. Yet you remained with him and he continued to put his trust in you. I can picture the head jailer remembering Joseph’s comments about you leading him to bring the cupbearer and baker to Joseph so that you could provide the interpretation of their dreams. LORD, help us to have such faith. A faith that endures adversity.  A faith that paints a picture of you because of how we live and the words we speak. And may others be blessed in coming to know you because we freely shared the LORD who is with us.

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Wisdom to Stay Silent

Posted in Genesis, Holy Spirit, Prayer, tagged , , , , , , on February 24, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Genesis 35-37, The Wisdom to Stay Silent. I have come to realize, through painful lessons of opening my mouth when it would have been best left shut, that there is great wisdom to staying silent and only speaking when it is appropriate. Mark Twain is credited with the saying, “best to be quiet and thought a fool than to open one’s mouth and remove all doubt.” There are a few times when this might have applied for me, but I am speaking of something a bit different. Having walked with the LORD for many years now and having experienced His grace and gifts in some pretty amazing ways, I have not always been as wise in talking and sharing about those gifts as I should. In fact, God’s blessings are wonderful to receive, but they do not all fall on us equally or at the same time. There is common grace which is available to every living being. But God will bless us beyond common grace, and it is often gifting to support our calling. The problem is that God’s gifts are received by us while we are still in the process of being sanctified. I don’t know about everyone else, but I know that I still have areas where pride, impatience, and greed have somewhat of a hold. And like Joseph, sometimes we can talk about things in a way or at a time that is not the wisest choice.

God gives Joseph two prophetic dreams. As the next to youngest son, he is very low in the pecking order of a house full of boys. Yet his dreams suggest superiority over his brothers (and even his parents!) Right there is when the alarm bells of pride should go off, and silence and contemplative prayer would be a good response. Instead, Joseph blurts out his dreams in the middle of the family meal (okay, I added the family meal part, but he makes sure everyone knows how special he is). His dad had already made Joseph a bit of a pariah among the boys by treating him with special affection. By bragging about his dream, Joseph unwittingly sets the stage for a being kidnapped and trafficked by his brothers. God, being sovereign and outside of time, knows all this is going down and He will work through it to bring those prophetic dreams to pass. I can’t help but think that silence and waiting on God’s timing would have resulted in a much less painful ascension for Joseph.

Father, our prayer is simple today. Help us to be silent when that is called for. Help us to speak when that is appropriate. And LORD, give us the wisdom to know the difference between the two.

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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!

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Faith and Faults

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

Genesis 19-21, Abraham’s life is a perfect example that it is not our righteousness that gains God’s favor. While we see Abraham move promptly in response to God’s directions multiple times, he also acts in less than honorable ways when he doesn’t get clear direction from the Lord. Abraham again uses the “she’s my sister” half truth to seemingly protect himself with Abimelech. God intervenes and Abimelech returns Sarah to Abraham which initiates a delicate political dance between Abraham and king Abimelech. 

Abraham’s tendency to protect his own interests in lieu of God’s specific direction hits close to home. I can see this in myself, particularly when I’m not regularly reading the Word and in a healthy, prayerful place. God’s desire, what He is calling us to is intimacy with Him. The closer we are to Him; His heart and His ways become our ways. It is faith that brings us into His family. It is walking with Him that changes us. I’m so thankful the Lord saves and sanctifies.

Father, you are so good. You lead us into faith. You draw us close. You do what we can’t do. You fill in what we lack. And in your grace and in your timing, you mold and shape is into your children of grace. Thank you, Holy Lord. 

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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!

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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.

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