Week 5 Thursday
Today we watch Jacob return to Bethel to worship the God who has kept every promise, hear David's darkest psalm turn to triumphant praise, and hear Jesus speak some of His harshest words to the religious leaders of His day.
Genesis 35
📖 What are we reading?: Jacob returns to Bethel where he builds an altar and worships God. Jacob's new name is repeated by God, and God reaffirms the covenant between them.
✞ What does this passage say about God? He is faithful to reaffirm His promises, even to a man as flawed as Jacob. What He says once, He does not need to be reminded to keep.
🛐 How does this passage teach us to live? Jacob's return to Bethel is a return to the place where it all began for him. It's worth asking - what is our own "Bethel", the place we need to return to in worship and gratitude?
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 series of devotions on Jacob's return to Bethel.
Psalm 22:12-31
📖 What are we reading?: We continue with these powerful prophetic words which were literally fulfilled at Christ's death. Note the change in atmosphere from verse 19, and consider how these words represent Christ's coming again.
✞ What does this passage say about God? He hears the cry of the afflicted and does not hide His face from them. What begins in anguish ends in worship that stretches to every nation.
🛐 How does this passage teach us to live? Even in our times of deepest pain, we can praise God for being good.
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.
Luke 11:27-54
📖 What are we reading?: Jesus responds to a woman's blessing on His mother, uses light as a lesson, warns the crowds about seeking signs, and then pronounces a series of "woes" against the Pharisees and experts in the law.
✞ What does this passage say about God? Jesus is greater than the Old Testament kings and prophets. He is not fooled by outward religious performance. He sees straight through to the heart, and calls out hypocrisy wherever it hides.
🛐 How does this passage teach us to live? Jesus’ simple words on obedience are worth keeping in mind today. Let's look within and be sure that we are shining our light for God, and not getting caught in things Jesus judges the Pharisees and Scribes for.
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 series of devotions on Jesus' harsh words to the Pharisees and scribes.
A Prayer for the Day
🙏 Lord, thank You that You keep every promise You have made; help us to return to You in worship as Jacob did, and to examine our own hearts honestly rather than hiding behind religious performance. Amen.
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