The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People.
Read God’s Word:
Genesis 38-40
Act 2: God’s Covenant People
Scene 1: The People: God calls a covenant people
Background Information: Genesis 38-40
These chapters set up a compare and contrast between Judah and his younger brother Joseph. Judah’s children are fools and are killed by the Lord. We aren’t told how, but sometimes the Lord acts very directly and immediately against evil. Judah’s family line is continued in spite of evil and even because of it; Judah sleeps with his own daughter-in-law believing her to be a prostitute. One of the twins born from this sinful encounter becomes part of the lineage of Christ (Matthew 1:3). It is truly amazing how God can use even human evil to bring about his own purposes. Meanwhile, we find that Joseph is successful in all he does because the Lord is with him. Then, unlike Judah, though he is not looking for a chance to be immoral, he is pressured to sleep with the wife of his master. With great courage and self-control, he continually resists and is falsely accused and imprisoned. While in prison (for several years) we read over and over that he is successful even there because the Lord is with him. In Joseph’s life we see the principle the Lord Jesus gave us (Luke 16:10), the one who is faithful in a little will be faithful in much. In the life of Joseph, we also see the beautiful balance of a man making hard faith choices and enjoying God’s grace. Once again, God has larger plans that have necessitated Joseph going to prison and learning for the first time that he has been given the ability to interpret dreams. Be faithful in the small things of your life. This both honors God and prepares you for what he might have in store for you next.
Pray:
Praise God for…
Thank God for…
Confess your sins to God
Ask God to comfort those suffering from the fires in So. California. Ask him to use this suffering to strengthen the church and draw people to faith and confidence in him.
Ask God for… (what else concerns you?)
Reflect:
Write down one passage of scripture that stood out to you today.
Write down why this passage stood out to you.
Engage Community:
Text or call someone now and tell them…
– What you are praying for.
– What stood out from God’s word today.