A Fair God, Humbleness of Heart, and the Lost...

The journey to read through the bible in one year. One thought and one verse from every book and chapter of the bible…

Genesis 31
Genesis 31:53  May the God of Abraham and the God of Nahor, the God of their father, judge between us.”

I love that in this passage we see the fairness of God. As Laban and Jacob get ready to part ways, they both take oaths and use God as the one who will judge them going forward. I can forget how just and fair that God really is. I look around the World and get upset when it seems like those who are evil and those who are cheating, and stealing to get through life are the ones that are rewarded  And I find myself wondering how fair God is. But He IS fair. It is was a good reminder for me today...

Genesis 32
Genesis 32:9-10 Then Jacob prayed, “O God of my father Abraham, God of my father Isaac, Lord, you who said to me, ‘Go back to your country and your relatives, and I will make you prosper,’ ¹⁰ I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness you have shown your servant.

I love seeing the humbleness that Jacob show before the Lord. He is getting ready to meet and see his brother Esau for the the first time since he stole the birthright and blessing from him, and I would imagine that he was filled with a tremendous amount of anxiety and fear. And in that moment of fear he calls out to God...and when he does, he approaches Him with an attitude of humbleness, thankfulness, and trust. What a great reminder of the way that i NEED to approach the throne. It isnt about a long list of things that God could/should do for me, but knowing that HE IS GOD...I cant even guarantee me own next breath without Him. Someone that amazing and powerful needs to be approached with the attitude that Jacob showed. 

Genesis 33
Genesis 33:11 please accept the present that was brought to you, for God has been gracious to me and I have all I need.” And because Jacob insisted, Esau accepted it.

Another example of Jacob giving credit to God for the things that he has. Especially here in America, I think that we have a really really tough time knowing what it means and looks like to rely upon God for all that we need. It is easy to just go and do things on and in our own power. I dont have to worry about food, shelter, clothes...I just go to the cupboard and fridge, or to the closet or dresser. But Jacob recognized that EVERYTHING that he had was from God. I dont want to struggle with pride and in thinking that I am the one that did things, and I think that we need to guard against that...but I think, maybe an even bigger obstacle for me, is in thinking that I can do it on my own. I dont need to rely on God for the things that I need everyday. I want to make sure that I live a life that is devoted...not going just the crumbs and seconds...but the best that I have. I want/need to recognize the abundance that He has blessed me with and NEVER think that I DONT need to rely on Him. 

Matthew 9
Matthew 9:12-13 ¹² On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. ¹³ But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

We far too often brush aside the people that need to hear about Jesus because of how we perceive them to be. In a glance, we just KNOW that they are lost and dont want to have anything to do with us or what we have to say. But that is the people that Jesus spent so much of His time with. It was the people that needed Him the most. I want to see the world that is around me from His eyes. Not my own. 

So far to date...
Books read: 0
Chapters Read: 42
Verses Read: 1254