Month: February 2019

February 1, Reading 1 – Genesis 39

Reading

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SAA Notes

Joseph is a most attractive character – he keeps his integrity in situations where most others would have given over and gone with the flow. Potiphar, as captain of the guard, had the charge of the Pharaoh’s prison. He continues to use Joseph, even as he placates his wife. David said: I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. 1 Chronicles 29:17

SJA Notes

* God Above, thank You for this day, and for Your word to us.

“And whatever he did, the LORD made it succeed.”

Sometimes we might imagine that this means some people get an easy ride from God, that anything they do God gives the thumbs up.

But that’s not the case!

Joseph didn’t do whatever he wanted.

Joseph walked obediently before the Lord, that encompassed “whatever he did”.

God has promised to bless His people.

He has blessed us in saving us through the sacrifice He Himself made.

He has blessed us in giving us an inheritance like no other, one we did not deserve or earn, eternal life.

And He blesses us as we go through this life, in small and big ways, in spiritual and in earthly ways.

God giving success to His people does not mean they won’t face persecution (Joseph was in prison!).

But God does give success to the ways of His people (as they follow Him).

This might be a hard word for us, but it is worthy of wrestling.

* Dear God,

Please help us understand what it means that You succeeded whatever Joseph did.

Please teach us a little more today of what it means to be Your people.

Amen.

February 1, Reading 2 – Psalm 17

Reading

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SAA Notes

Knowing David’s history, you might wonder at his words in this psalm. However, in life, not everything bad that happens to you will be the result of your own doing. Many times it will be because of others. Read again verses 6-9. Then too, this is the word of the Messiah! David was to be an example of godliness to all believers. How important it is that God gave us Jesus, who stood the test where David failed!

SJA Notes

* Creator God, please help us to recognise false prophets, ferocious wolves, by their fruit.

“Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings, from the wicked who do me violence, my deadly enemies who surround me.”

David is hard-pressed by human enemies. At times close friends and family, at other times the enemies of God’s people at large.

David says of those who seek him harm,

“He is like a lion eager to tear, as a young lion lurking in ambush.”

For us, regardless of our earthly situation – We all of us have a supernatural enemy.

The apostle Peter exhorts us in 1 Peter 5,

“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”

David knows this, so he calls on the Lord in this psalm as he has previously,

“Arise, O LORD! Confront him, subdue him!”

How good then, for us, that our King Jesus, God in the Person of the Son, has done this!

At the cross Jesus conquered death, crushed the head of the serpent, that great enemy Satan. God won the victory!

* Holy God,

Thank You for Your steadfast love and faithfulness, and Your sovereign power – that we find our trust and hope grounded in.

Thank You that You are intentional to save us, and powerful to enact salvation.

Thank You that You won the victory over sin, the devil and death – at the cross!

Hallelujah Lord, what a Saviour You are!

Amen.

February 1, Reading 3 – Matthew 22:15-46

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

Jesus uses every attack to teach wonderful truths about the Kingdom. Think about one such truth taught in today’s reading. In verses 41-46, Jesus exposes the Pharisees’ unbelief to their own eyes. They know the Christ will be the Son of David. They know Jesus is the Son of David.

SJA Notes

* Mighty God, please refresh our hearts and minds today from Your word.

“Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

Jesus’ words here are profound.

The church leadership were trying to catch Him out with a question about taxes and government authority.

God cannot be tricked!

Jesus’ words here are a hard word to us today.

Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s. Submission to government for the things that a government has authority over. Taxes being one of them.

Render to God the things that are God’s. Submission before the Creator God for the things that He has authority over. Our lives being one of them.

Importantly the principle Jesus gives here cut back inside.

Do not render to God what is Caesar’s.

Don’t think we can buy our way into God’s good graces, or work really hard to obtain the salvation God gives, giving God a tax so He will treat us well or give us good things.

And without doubt today one of the most insidious modes of thought working through the church today.

Do not render to Caesar what is God’s.

Don’t think the government deserves power and authority that are God’s alone, bowing to them so that our true worship is compromised and becomes false religion.

God is sovereign on His throne in heaven.

We humanity are sinners by nature and choice, no matter our position in society. We need a Saviour.

* Father God,

Please save us from our sin. Save us from pride and arrogance, from greed and lust, from complacency and from bad decisions.

You are God. We are Your creation.

Please help us to render to You today and onwards the things that are Yours.

Our lives as living sacrifices.

Amen.