January 23, Reading 1 – Genesis 29

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

The convolutions of this family with their scheming and manoeuvring makes for interesting reading. Leah and Rachael go from being close sisters to rivals overnight. Leah is the ancestress of David and Jesus. This fact is one of God’s little ironies of life. From beloved Rachael comes Joseph, one of the best loved characters in the Bible.

SJA Notes

* Dear God, You are holy and wise, You are light and love. Thank You for Your word to us today.

“So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed to him but a few days because of the love he had for her.”

There is much sorrow and heartbreak in this passage. Hurtful games and tricks being played. Nobody comes out unscathed.

Yet.

There is something encouraging in Jacob’s love for Rachel. Seven years were nothing in the face of this love!

God’s steadfast love and faithfulness are reflected here, even amidst all the human failing and error.

Praise God that He has loved us with such a love!

* Gracious Lord God,

Please help us to be a faithful people, as You are a faithful God.

Please help us to be a loving people, as You are a loving God.

Please help us to point people to You, to tell people about Jesus and the freedom and joy He brings, the salvation You work, the love You show.

Amen.

January 23, Reading 2 – Job 38, 39

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

Job 38:2 refers to all five men! But Job knows that it refers to him. The Lord is dealing with him face to face! God does not answer Job question as to why this has happened. What God does is reveal His glory, wonder and goodness to Job through the natural creation.

SJA Notes

* Dear God Above, help us to be humble and not self-serving today, help us to serve You without worrying about being seen by others.

“Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me.”

Here we are. We have read through thirty-five chapters of debate, and here God enters the court room!

God doesn’t really enter the debate.

The answer that God provides is so alien to man’s understanding that we can find ourselves not comprehending the gravity of His words.

“Where were you …””

These are deep and lasting truths that God speaks here.

ONE – We see who God is.

TWO – We see who we are.

God has shut in the sea with doors. We have not.

God has commanded the morning since the days began. We have not.

God has determined the measurements of the earth, laid its foundation, sunk it bases and laid its cornerstone. We have not!

These are truths that should drive us to Jesus.

These are truths that should strengthen our trust in our God, striking deep at our pride and arrogance, our selfish desires.

Remember the first chapter of Job. The heavenly council, the realities that sit apart from our perception.

This is a God who rules both heaven and earth! He was there when the morning stars sang together, and He is our God, working for us!

These chapters are a trove of humbling knowledge and insight into who God is, and who we are (and our need for Him).

* Creator God,

Please show us today from Your word what You want us to know.

Please humble us today, in the light of Your magnitude and power.

You are God. We are Your people.

Thank You Lord!

Amen.


January 23, Reading 3 – Matthew 15:29-16:12

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

The Pharisees did not show such compassion on the mob, as they disparagingly called the normal citizen of Palestine. Jesus warns us not to leaven our lives with the leaven of their attitudes. This is a most pertinent warning.

SJA Notes

* Mighty Lord God, please write Your word on our hearts, that we might know You better, and know better how to live with You as King.

“Watch and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

People can seem very religious and pious with spiritual logic, even with their passion and overwhelming sense of right-ness.

Today are we cautious of the teaching of those who are like the Pharisees and Sadducees?

We can quickly get caught up in the trap of being shifted, little by little, away from the gospel – Until like an exponential curve we find ourselves dramatically far from God’s word, from His laws and commands.

Jesus warns us here.

Be careful!

Take care when listening to people. Take care when listening to “important” and “persuasive” people.

As with all situations it is much better to turn to Jesus.

What does God’s word say? (from Genesis through Revelation)

This passage is a good reminder that God’s word is the ONLY thing that will always tell us the truth, the absolute God-given set-in-stone truth.

This is a good thing!

* Father God,

Thank You for Your word, which is truth. Thank You that we can trust in Your absoluteness.

Please help us to find our logic, our thinking, our wisdom from You and Your word.

Please draw us closer to You each day.

Amen.