Week 3 Wednesday
Today we watch Abraham's faith tested to the limit on a mountain, hear David move from despair to praise within a few short verses, and sit under Jesus' sermon on the plain - His most searching teaching yet on how His followers are to live.
Genesis 22
📖 What are we reading? God tests Abraham by asking him to sacrifice his son Isaac - the very son of promise. Abraham obeys, right up to the point where God provides a ram in Isaac's place.
✞ What does this passage say about God? He provides. The name Abraham gives that mountain - "The Lord Will Provide" - points forward to the greater provision God would one day make: His own Son, the Lamb, whose sacrifice has taken away the sins of the world.
🛐 How does this passage teach us to live? As you read this famous tale, be thankful for God's provision of the Lamb, Jesus. Abraham's willingness to obey, even when it made no sense and cost him dearly, challenges our own half-hearted obedience.
Looking for some extra info?
➡️ The bigger picture: Genesis, meaning "beginnings", was written by Moses around 1400 BC, and covers the story of creation, the fall, and the origins of God's chosen people, Israel.
🎤 A sermon by Luke on Abraham's test from Genesis 22.
♫ A beautiful song to go with this reading, which pairs so well with Abraham's test on the mountain.
Psalm 13
📖 What are we reading? David pours out his heart to God in a time of stress and feeling forgotten - but by the final two verses, he has turned to trust and praise.
✞ What does this passage say about God? Even when He feels distant, He is unfailingly loving, and worthy of trust. David's confidence doesn't rest on his circumstances changing, but on who God is.
🛐 How does this passage teach us to live? David pours out his heart to God honestly in a time of stress, but remembers to praise and trust God anyway, as you see in the last two verses.
Looking for some extra info?
➡️ The bigger picture: The Psalms is a collection of 150 poems and songs, written by David and others, expressing the full range of human emotion in response to God and to life.
♫ A set of songs to walk you through Psalm 13.
Luke 6:17-49
📖 What are we reading? Jesus teaches the crowds on a level place - blessings and woes, love for enemies, not judging others, and the parable of the two builders.
✞ What does this passage say about God? He blesses the poor, the hungry, and the persecuted - His values turn the world's upside down. He is kind even to the ungrateful and wicked, and calls us to reflect that same mercy.
🛐 How does this passage teach us to live? This is some of Jesus' hardest teaching - love your enemies, turn the other cheek, give without expecting return. The chapter ends with a warning: hearing these words is not enough. We must build our lives on them.
Looking for some extra info?
➡️ The bigger picture: Luke's Gospel was written by Luke, a Greek physician and companion of Paul, around AD 60-62. It is the most detailed account of Jesus' life, and is especially attentive to the poor, to women, and to outcasts.
📝 A devotional by Luke on loving your enemies, from this passage.
📝 A devotional by Luke on Jesus’ words about calling His name but not doing what he says.
A Prayer for the Day
🙏 Lord, thank You that You always provide, even in our most testing moments. Teach us to move from honest lament to real trust, as David did, and give us the grace to love as You love - even our enemies. May we not just hear Your words, but build our lives on them. Amen.
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