Day 1 and 2 of Week 2 are here. Find the devotional guide here.
Readings for this week:
- Genesis 3:1-19
- John 3:16-21
- Genesis 6:1-8
- Genesis 11:1-9, 12:1-3
- Genesis 17:15-19, 26:1-5
- Genesis 28:10-17
- Genesis 49:1-2, 8-12
Week 2 Day 3
The Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth … but Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord – Genesis 6:6a, 8
Apart from God, man’s descent into darkness was swift and sure. Though I believe the Imago Dei is still present in all men, I have to agree with God’s assessment of man – every imagination of the thoughts of his heart [is] only evil continually. We so easily act from selfishness, greed, anger, despair, fear, etc. and the results are abysmal. Even “good” people hurt others and create wounds that distort and destroy relationships.
When we begin to understand God’s love for us, it comes as no surprise to us that people apart from God’s love act as they do.
And yet, even in all the chaos and evil, God sought out the righteous man and made provision to save him from destruction. Yes, the times can be evil, but God never forsakes His own.
Week 2 Day 4
In you all the families of the earth shall be blessed – Genesis 12:3c
In Abram and his descendants, God continued His redemptive promise. Yes, things were messed up and mankind was still far from God, but He continued to hold out hope. Things wouldn’t always be this way. The curse will give way to blessing.
How much more will the families of the earth be blessed through those in whom God dwells. Think about it. The promise of Emanuel – God with us – is fulfilled in us. When we pray “thy kingdom come, thy will be done,” we are making a pledge to see it done in our lives. We can and will be a blessing if we will carry Christ into the world with us each day.
Week 2 Day 5
God said, “Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac. I will establish My covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his offspring after him” – Genesis 17:19
We are rarely good at patience. We often fail to trust. Often we choose to act in our own strength and in our own will. When you do that, how does it work for you?
God has made many promises to us – do we live like we believe Him? Do we continue to do what’s right even when it doesn’t seem to be working? Do we live in faith, believing even when everyone thinks we are fools? Do we live in gratitude and praise when nothing seems to be going our way? Do we patiently wait to see what God will do, simply trusting?
It is so easy to take matters into our own hands and try to make things happen when they don’t happen the way we think they should when we think they should. We forget that Father knows best – even if we don’t understand.
