Week 5 Wednesday
Today we watch Jacob and Esau's tearful reunion turn to horror in the very next chapter, hear the cry of the cross echo through David's darkest psalm, and learn from Jesus Himself how to pray.
Genesis 33-34
📖 What are we reading?: Touching scenes as Jacob and Esau reunite, showing how they had both matured in faith over the years. Then we have one of the most horrifying stories in the Bible in chapter 34.
✞ What does this passage say about God? He is present in reconciliation, softening hearts that once burned with rage. Yet chapter 34 shows how quickly things fall apart when His people take matters into their own hands.
🛐 How does this passage teach us to live? Notice sin's "ripple effect" in this passage - one act of violence spirals into a family's violent revenge. Our sin never stays contained to just ourselves.
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.
Psalm 22:1-11
📖 What are we reading?: An incredible psalm, when we realise that it captures the feelings of Jesus at Golgotha. Hear these first eleven verses as coming from Jesus' lips, as He hangs on the cross, while you read them.
✞ What does this passage say about God? Even in the darkest moment of apparent abandonment, He remains the Holy One - trustworthy, even when He feels distant.
🛐 How does this passage teach us to live? In times of deepest pain and grief, we can call out to God like David did, and like Jesus did.
Looking for some extra info?
🎵 A song about the cross to bring these words to life today.
➡️ 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 11:1-26
📖 What are we reading?: Jesus' disciples ask Him to teach them to pray, so He gives them a model prayer, then teaches on persistence in prayer, before casting out a demon and speaking on spiritual warfare.
✞ What does this passage say about God? He is a generous Father who delights to give good gifts to those who ask Him - and He is more powerful than any darkness that opposes Him.
🛐 How does this passage teach us to live? Jesus shows us a great structure for our prayers, and tells us to pray with shameless audacity! Are we asking, seeking, knocking in prayer? Jesus also reminds us that unity is important for us Christians, and that spiritual warfare must be taken seriously.
Looking for some extra info?
📝 A series of devotions on Jesus' words about praying for others.
➡️ 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 Prayer for the Day
🙏 Lord, thank You that even our darkest cries reach Your ears; keep us from sin's ripple effect in our own families, and teach us, like the disciples, to ask, seek, and knock with shameless audacity. Amen.
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