Genesis 27:46-28:22; Matthew 9:18-26; Psalms 11:7; Proverbs 5:7-14

OT: “So Isaac summoned Jacob, blessed him, and commanded him, “Do not marry a Canaanite girl. Go at once to Paddan-aram, to the house of Bethuel, your mother’s father. Marry one of the daughters of Laban, your mother’s brother. May God Almighty bless you and make you fruitful and multiply you so that you become an assembly of peoples. May God give you and your offspring the blessing of Abraham so that you may possess the land where you live as a foreigner, the land God gave to Abraham.” …Jacob left Beer-sheba and went toward Haran. He reached a certain place and spent the night there because the sun had set. He took one of the stones from the place, put it there at his head, and lay down in that place… The Lord was standing there beside him, saying, “I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your offspring the land on which you are lying. Your offspring will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out toward the west, the east, the north, and the south. All the peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. Look, I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go. I will bring you back to this land, for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” …Then Jacob made a vow: “If God will be with me and watch over me during this journey I’m making, if he provides me with food to eat and clothing to wear, and if I return safely to my father’s family, then the Lord will be my God. This stone that I have set up as a marker will be God’s house, and I will give to you a tenth of all that you give me.”” (‭‭Genesis‬ ‭28:1-4, 10-11, 13-15, 20-22‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

The name Jacob means “grasps the heel.” Basically it means you grab and pull people down so you can get ahead – and that became Jacob’s nature. He manipulated his brother out of his birthright and conned his way into getting his brother’s blessing. He was used to taking for himself and because he wasn’t trustworthy, he couldn’t trust others – especially a God he couldn’t see. So even after his father Isaac blessed him… and God Himself promised to bless him – Jacob doubted. He didn’t believe God. Basically, Jacob told God, if you prove yourself to me, then I will make you my God – but only after you have proven Your word. Jacob ended up spending more than 14 years away suffering as the victim of his conniving Uncle. I wonder how much better it would have gone for Jacob if he had believed God at His word instead of demanding proof. Are there areas of my life where I refuse to place my faith in God until He proves Himself to me? Are there areas where I am afraid to go because I don’t believe His word and His promise to be with me and watch over me wherever I go?

NT: “As he was telling them these things, suddenly one of the leaders came and knelt down before him, saying, “My daughter just died, but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.” So Jesus and his disciples got up and followed him. Just then, a woman who had suffered from bleeding for twelve years approached from behind and touched the end of his robe… Jesus turned and saw her. “Have courage, daughter,” he said. “Your faith has saved you.” And the woman was made well from that moment. When Jesus came to the leader’s house, he saw the flute players and a crowd lamenting loudly. “Leave,” he said, “because the girl is not dead but asleep.” And they laughed at him. After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl got up.” (‭‭Matthew‬ ‭9:18-20, 22-25‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

Notice the difference between the woman with the issue of blood and the crowd at the girls wake. The woman placed her faith in Jesus without having to see the evidence – and she was immediately healed. The people at the little girls wake had no faith in Jesus. Instead they laughed and ridiculed Jesus. Who ended up being the fools? The woman who placed all her faith of Jesus or the people who had to have Jesus’ claims proven to them. Are there times when we refuse to do what the Lord is calling us to do because we don’t want to be made a fool? Apparently trusting Jesus is never foolish, while not trusting Him is.

Genesis 27:1-45; Matthew 9:9-17; Psalms 11:1-6; Proverbs 5:1-6

NT: “As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the toll booth, and he said to him, “Follow me,” and he got up and followed him. While he was reclining at the table in the house, many tax collectors and sinners came to eat with Jesus and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” Now when he heard this, he said, “It is not those who are well who need a doctor, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means: I desire mercy and not sacrifice. For I didn’t come to call the righteous, but sinners… No one patches an old garment with unshrunk cloth, because the patch pulls away from the garment and makes the tear worse. And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the skins burst, the wine spills out, and the skins are ruined. No, they put new wine into fresh wineskins, and both are preserved.”” (‭‭Matthew‬ ‭9:9-13, 16-17‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

Jesus’ way is not conventional. It is not ordinary. It is not same-old, same-old. When Jesus says, “Follow me,” He isn’t going to lead us down familiar and well-worn paths. He isn’t going to lead us to the comfortable. He isn’t going to cater to our preferences. His way is dynamic and living. His way has purpose and is suited for the times. His way is effective and impactful. Jesus didn’t come to abolish the conventional – He just won’t allow Himself and those who follow Him to be constrained by the conventional. Wherever the Father leads Him, He is going to lead us as we listen to the Holy Spirit. Don’t try to contain what He is doing with your preferences and well-worn patterns. Jesus way isn’t comfortable – but He will comfort us along the way as long as you release your rigidity and trust Him in His dynamism.

Psalms: “I have taken refuge in the Lord. How can you say to me, “Escape to the mountains like a bird!” …The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord —his throne is in heaven. His eyes watch; his gaze examines everyone. The Lord examines the righteous, but he hates the wicked and those who love violence.” (‭‭Psalms‬ ‭11:1, 4-5‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

On several occasions in his life, David’s life was in danger by those who wanted to snuff him out (and the light that his life represented). The temptation during those times was to, instead of trusting in the Lord and following Him, flee to “safety” away from God’s calling – like a skittish bird flees to the mountains. David, however, would do no such thing. Though it seemed foolish to the advisors around him to stay the course, David took his refuge… his hiding place was in the Lord Who is ever watchful. David would rather go against conventional wisdom to be on God’s righteous side than to be considered God’s enemy. By following the Lord, he knew that his enemies were the Lord’s enemies – and his enemies would be dealt with by the Lord.

Proverbs: “My son, pay attention to my wisdom; listen closely to my understanding so that you may maintain discretion and your lips safeguard knowledge.” (‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭5:1-2‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

If we will pay attention to the Fathers wisdom and listen closely to His understanding, He will prevent us from being seduced by the immediate and the comfortable.

Genesis 26:17-35; Matthew 9:1-8; Psalms 10:17-18; Proverbs 4:20-27

OT: “From there he went up to Beer-sheba, and the Lord appeared to him that night and said, “I am the God of your father Abraham. Do not be afraid, for I am with you. I will bless you and multiply your offspring because of my servant Abraham.” So he built an altar there, called on the name of the Lord, and pitched his tent there. Isaac’s servants also dug a well there. Now Abimelech came to him from Gerar with Ahuzzath his adviser and Phicol the commander of his army. Isaac said to them, “Why have you come to me? You hated me and sent me away from you.” They replied, “We have clearly seen how the Lord has been with you. We think there should be an oath between two parties — between us and you. Let us make a covenant with you: You will not harm us, just as we have not harmed you but have done only what was good to you, sending you away in peace. You are now blessed by the Lord.” …On that same day Isaac’s servants came to tell him about the well they had dug, saying to him, “We have found water!”” (‭‭Genesis‬ ‭26:23-29, 32‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

Each time God gives Isaac instructions or when Isaac runs into challenges in following God’s instructions, God reaffirms His commitment to Isaac. But God doesn’t just reaffirm His commitment verbally – He actually follows through. He blesses Isaac and makes his life a sign and a wonder to the pagan people around him. So, not only is Isaac convinced of God’s faithfulness – but Isaac becomes a sign that glorifies God and causes those around him to stand in wonder at God’s greatness and faithfulness. Over the years, I have seen this happen in my life: whenever I am faithful to walk out what God has called me to walk out, even though there are challenges along the way, God is faithful to His word and His work in me and through me becomes a wonder to others.

NT: “Just then some men brought to him a paralytic lying on a stretcher. Seeing their faith, Jesus told the paralytic, “Have courage, son, your sins are forgiven.” At this, some of the scribes said to themselves, “He’s blaspheming!” Perceiving their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why are you thinking evil things in your hearts? For which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins” — then he told the paralytic, “Get up, take your stretcher, and go home.” So he got up and went home. When the crowds saw this, they were awestruck and gave glory to God, who had given such authority to men.” (‭‭Matthew‬ ‭9:2-8‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

Jesus made an unbelievable claim – so unbelievable that the religious leaders accused Him of blasphemy because in His statement, He was actually claiming to be equal with God. In Jesus’ time, maladies like blindness or paralysis were thought to be caused by sin. If someone was paralyzed, it was because they had sin in their life. So Jesus didn’t just end with His claim to be able to forgive sin – He proved His authority by healing the paralytic. Jesus performed a sign that caused everyone to wonder – and then through Jesus’ healing work the once paralytic became an ongoing sign to cause people to wonder. All who have been born again into Christ’s life, made new creations, and continuously live by Christ’s life in us should be ongoing signs that cause people around us to wonder at the greatness of God.

Proverbs: “My son, pay attention to my words; listen closely to my sayings. Don’t lose sight of them; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and health to one’s whole body. Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life… Carefully consider the path for your feet, and all your ways will be established.” (‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭4:20-23, 26‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

I saw something in this passage that I haven’t seen before. Most people, when they reference this passage, quote only verse 23 about guarding your heart. But if you read that in context, Solomon first says to pay attention to the Father’s words, listen closely to them, and keep them in your heart… Then he says to guard the heart that is full of the Father’s words. When we fail to guard God’s words and God’s ways and allow our hearts to be lifted up, going after things that we shouldn’t go after or involving ourselves in things we shouldn’t involve ourselves in – that leads to trouble. Yet, if we guard our heart and do only what the Father is leading us to do, receiving only what the Father gives us, committing to only what the Father has for us – then we will be established and our lives will become a sign that causes others to stand in awe and wonder of the good, great, and faithful God that we serve.

Genesis 25:29-26:16; Matthew 8:28-34; Psalms 10:16; Proverbs 4:14-19

OT: “Once when Jacob was cooking a stew, Esau came in from the field exhausted. He said to Jacob, “Let me eat some of that red stuff, because I’m exhausted.” That is why he was also named Edom. Jacob replied, “First sell me your birthright.” “Look,” said Esau, “I’m about to die, so what good is a birthright to me?” Jacob said, “Swear to me first.” So he swore to Jacob and sold his birthright to him. Then Jacob gave bread and lentil stew to Esau; he ate, drank, got up, and went away. So Esau despised his birthright… The Lord appeared to him (Isaac) and said, “Do not go down to Egypt. Live in the land that I tell you about; stay in this land as an alien, and I will be with you and bless you. For I will give all these lands to you and your offspring, and I will confirm the oath that I swore to your father Abraham. I will make your offspring as numerous as the stars of the sky, I will give your offspring all these lands, and all the nations of the earth will be blessed by your offspring, because Abraham listened to me and kept my mandate, my commands, my statutes, and my instructions.”” (‭‭Genesis‬ ‭25:29-34; 26:2-5‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

Esau despised his birthright. What does that mean and why is it noteworthy… to the point that it is mentioned in the book of Hebrews? First of all, what was Esau’s birthright? It is to be heir of the blessing that God conferred on Abraham, and then later conferred to Isaac… to be the conduit through whom God would bring salvation and blessing to all the nations of the earth. Esau didn’t value that honor at all. He held it in such cheep esteem that he glibly sold it for the immediate gratification of a bowl of lentil soup. He sold out eternal significance to satisfy a few hunger pangs. On the other hand, Abraham so honored God’s blessing and calling that he set aside the immediate and trusted God for eternal blessing – and for Abraham’s sake, God blessed Isaac with the same blessing. Are we aware of the eternal significance of our lives? How often do we sell out what God is willing to accomplish through us to temporarily satisfy the lust of our flesh, the lust of our eye, or the pride of life?

NT: “When he had come to the other side, to the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men met him as they came out of the tombs. They were so violent that no one could pass that way. Suddenly they shouted, “What do you have to do with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time? …If you drive us out,” the demons begged him, “send us into the herd of pigs.” “Go!” he told them. So when they had come out, they entered the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and perished in the water… At that, the whole town went out to meet Jesus. When they saw him, they begged him to leave their region.” (‭‭Matthew‬ ‭8:28-29, 31-32, 34‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

The Gadarenes were descendants of the Tribe of Gad. During the time of Moses, as the Nation of Israel was preparing to enter the promised land, the Tribe of Gad and the Tribe of Ruben settled for an immediate inheritance instead of trusting the Lord for what was on the other side of the Jordan (see Numbers 32). They sold out the promise for what they could put their hands on immediately. By the time Jesus arrived, they had devalued the call on their lives so much that they had completely forsaken the commandments of God and were raising swine… and when the Son of God Himself arrived in their midst, they wanted nothing to do with Him. After all, He may shake up their status quo and require them to stop gratifying their sinful desires. How much do we miss or how much are we unwilling to receive because we value and enjoy our pleasures more than the will and ways of God?

Proverbs: “Keep off the path of the wicked; don’t proceed on the way of evil ones. Avoid it; don’t travel on it. Turn away from it, and pass it by… The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until midday. But the way of the wicked is like the darkest gloom; they don’t know what makes them stumble.” (‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭4:14-15, 18-19‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

Compare the path of the righteous to the path of the wicked. While the path of the wicked may bring immediate gratification and temporary satisfaction, it is full of darkness and snares. The path of the righteous may be challenging, and it may take longer to get where you are going, the path is full of light and life that grows greater and greater the longer you travel on it.

Genesis 24:52-25:28; Matthew 8:18-27; Psalms 10:7-15; Proverbs 4:11-13

NT: “When Jesus saw a large crowd around him, he gave the order to go to the other side of the sea… As he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. Suddenly, a violent storm arose on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves — but Jesus kept sleeping. So the disciples came and woke him up, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to die!” He said to them, “Why are you afraid, you of little faith?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the sea obey him!”” (‭‭Matthew‬ ‭8:18, 23-27‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

Compare the faith of the Roman Centurion from a few verses before to the faith of the disciples. The Centurion knew that the sickness of his servant was great, but that Jesus’ power and authority was greater. The disciples believed Jesus to be a great man (otherwise they wouldn’t be following Him) but they believed the storm and the waves to be greater. The interesting thing about this story is that the only reason the disciples found themselves in that precarious predicament was because they were following Jesus. Just before Jesus and team launched out in the boat, He had a few people approach Him about becoming disciples, and He responded to them with the cost that would be involved. There is a cost to following Jesus. He will lead you into uncomfortable, challenging, and even dangerous places. To remain following Him requires great faith. It may seem safer to stay put in the familiar – but if your faith is in the one Who is greater than any challenge you may face, you will come to find that you are always safe when you are with Jesus, joining Him in the work that He is doing.

Psalms: “Rise up, Lord God! Lift up your hand. Do not forget the oppressed. Why has the wicked person despised God? He says to himself, “You will not demand an account.” But you yourself have seen trouble and grief, observing it in order to take the matter into your hands. The helpless one entrusts himself to you; you are a helper of the fatherless.” (‭‭Psalms‬ ‭10:12-14‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

Notice how, in the midst of faithless, corrupt, godless and evil people, the psalmist places his faith – not in the circumstances – but on the character of God. That is how you stay in faith: reminding yourself of who God is. When circumstances surround you, turn your gaze upward and see who God is and place your faith in Him.

Proverbs: “I am teaching you the way of wisdom; I am guiding you on straight paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hindered; when you run, you will not stumble. Hold on to instruction; don’t let go. Guard it, for it is your life.” (‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭4:11-13‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

The way of wisdom is the way of faith in the One who is above all, transcends all, sees all, and knows all. While He may lead you to trouble, if you keep your eyes on Him, He will lead you in grace through trouble.

Genesis 24:1-51; Matthew 8:5-17; Psalms 10:1-6; Proverbs 4:7-10

NT: “When he entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, pleading with him, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, in terrible agony.” He said to him, “Am I to come and heal him?” “Lord,” the centurion replied, “I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed… Hearing this, Jesus was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with so great a faith. I tell you that many will come from east and west to share the banquet with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” …Jesus went into Peter’s house and saw his mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever. So he touched her hand, and the fever left her. Then she got up and began to serve him. When evening came, they brought to him many who were demon-possessed. He drove out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick, so that what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: He himself took our weaknesses and carried our diseases.” (‭‭Matthew‬ ‭8:5-8, 10-12, 14-17‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

This is just a snippet in a day of the life of Jesus. First He delivers His epic sermon on the mount, then comes down the mountain and heals a leper… then He encounters a centurion and heals the centurion’s servant with just a word… he enters Peter’s house, finds that his mother-in-law is sick, and heals her… then spends the rest of the evening healing droves of people and casting out demons. In His encounter, He took notice of the centurion’s “great faith” and commended him on it. He also made an interesting comment that was tied to the centurion’s faith. He said that many (with the same faith as the centurion) would come from east and west and would be welcomed at the family dinner table – but those who claimed to be sons would be cast out. Why would Jesus say that? What was so great about the centurion’s faith? True faith is much more than belief. It isn’t something that you just stoke up. Faith has to do with complete trust and assurance on the object that the faith is based on… to the point that it causes you to act in confidence – not in yourself or in your faith, but in the object that your faith is based on. Jesus did all that He did through the faith that He had in His Father. He knew who His Father was, the power and authority that His Father held, so when the Father instructed Him to do something, He did it with complete confidence in the Father. The centurion demonstrated that same faith in Jesus. Many of the Jews of Jesus day had their confidence placed in their genealogy and not in the Words and commands of the Father – which is why they weren’t walking in the ways of the Father – they were just living according to their traditions. Only those with true faith in the Father are sons of the Father, regardless of genealogy. True faith comes from knowing God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit – and that knowledge comes from studying the word of God.

Psalms: “Lord, why do you stand so far away? Why do you hide in times of trouble? …For the wicked one boasts about his own cravings; the one who is greedy curses and despises the Lord. In all his scheming, the wicked person arrogantly thinks, “There’s no accountability, since there’s no God.” …He says to himself, “I will never be moved — from generation to generation without calamity.”” (‭‭Psalms‬ ‭10:1, 3-4, 6‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

One of the things that I love about the Psalms is how honest and real it is. The writer of this psalm was frustrated with all the injustice he saw in the world. And instead of “ginning up” false faith by ignoring the bad and only focusing on the promises, he got real with God. True faith doesn’t just ignore the evil in the world and confess positive things. True faith acknowledges the evil in the world but knows that God is greater than the evil – and will one day triumph over all evil.

Proverbs: “Wisdom is supreme — so get wisdom. And whatever else you get, get understanding. Cherish her, and she will exalt you; if you embrace her, she will honor you… Listen, my son. Accept my words, and you will live many years.” (‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭4:7-8, 10‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

Faith leads you to seek God above any other. Faith leads you to receive God’s wisdom instead of the wisdom of the world. Faith leads you to God’s understanding of things instead of relying on your own limited understanding. If you want God’s wisdom and God’s understanding, then place your faith in God.

Genesis 23:1-20; Matthew 8:1-4; Psalms 9:19-20; Proverbs 4:1-6

NT: “Right away a man with leprosy came up and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” Reaching out his hand, Jesus touched him, saying, “I am willing; be made clean.” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.” (‭‭Matthew‬ ‭8:2-3‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

In our church, we hear this phrase often: “God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) is both willing and able.” We see that here in this encounter with Jesus. The leper came up to Jesus (something he was not allowed to do) because he believed that Jesus was able to cleanse him of his leprosy and heal him. He didn’t know if Jesus would be willing. Jesus was willing – and he reached out His hand and touched the leper. By doing that, Jesus contracted the leper’s defilement and passed to the leper His purity. Immediately the leprosy vanished and demonstrated that Jesus was both willing and able: willing to associate and save the vilest of offenders, and able to heal diseases and cleanse people of sin. Jesus is always willing and able, but to experience His willingness and ability, we have to first be willing to come to Him and come to Him in faith.

Proverbs: “When I was a son with my father, tender and precious to my mother, he taught me and said: “Your heart must hold on to my words. Keep my commands and live. Get wisdom, get understanding; don’t forget or turn away from the words from my mouth. Don’t abandon wisdom, and she will watch over you; love her, and she will guard you.” (‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭4:3-6‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

These are words that were passed down from King David to his son Solomon – and I am sure these were words that David heard from the Lord as he sought after His heart. “Keep my commands and live.” Our Father is willing to watch over us, lead us, guard us… and He is well able to protect us and provide for us. And He gives us the freedom to follow Him or go our own way. His covering is only extended to those who choose to follow Him – yet He is willing to receive any who repent from their own ways and begin following Him in faith. And as we follow Him, He is both willing and able to give us the grace to stay with Him.

Genesis 21:22-22:24; Matthew 7:24-29; Psalms 9:13-18; Proverbs 3:33-35

OT: “After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he answered. “Take your son,” he said, “your only son Isaac, whom you love, go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about.” So Abraham got up early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took with him two of his young men and his son Isaac. He split wood for a burnt offering and set out to go to the place God had told him about. On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey. The boy and I will go over there to worship; then we’ll come back to you.” …Then Isaac spoke to his father Abraham and said, “My father.” And he replied, “Here I am, my son.” Isaac said, “The fire and the wood are here, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” Then the two of them walked on together. When they arrived at the place that God had told him about, Abraham built the altar there and arranged the wood. He bound his son Isaac and placed him on the altar on top of the wood. Then Abraham reached out and took the knife to slaughter his son. But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” He replied, “Here I am.” Then he said, “Do not lay a hand on the boy or do anything to him. For now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your only son from me.” Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught in the thicket by its horns. So Abraham went and took the ram and offered it as a burnt offering in place of his son. And Abraham named that place The Lord Will Provide, so today it is said: “It will be provided on the Lord’s mountain.”” (‭‭Genesis‬ ‭22:1-5, 7-14‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

God gave Abraham a directive as a test of his obedience: to offer the son that he was promised as an offering to the Lord. What often gets overlooked in this story are Abrahams statements of faith. God had given Abraham a promise, and Abraham believed Him. So at some level, Abraham had to believe that whatever ended up happening up on that mountain, God would be faithful to His promise. As Abraham left his servants behind and headed up the mountain with his son, he made his first statement of faith: “The boy and I will go over there to worship; then we (the both of us) will come back to you.” Then as they got closer to the top of the mountain and Isaac began to become curious, Abraham made his second statement of faith: “God Himself will proved the lamb for the burnt offering.” God called Abraham to offer his son, and that is what Abraham did – fully obedient and full of faith… and God did provide the lamb for the sacrifice… and the promise lived on. The Father asks us to offer a life on the alter – only this time, the life is ours. He has already provided the Lamb, so we offer our lives as a living sacrifice so that the promised blessing can live on in us and through us.

NT: “Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock… But everyone who hears these words of mine and doesn’t act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.” (‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7:24, 26‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

Hearing and obeying… that is what the Lord is looking for: people who will hear His words and respond… who will obey in faith. Those who both hear and act will be unshakable, and the storms of life will not be able to destroy them – but the promise only comes after obedience. Hearing and agreeing isn’t enough – faith and worship is made alive through obedience.

Psalms: “The nations have fallen into the pit they made; their foot is caught in the net they have concealed. The Lord has made himself known; he has executed justice, snaring the wicked by the work of their hands. Selah” (‭‭Psalms‬ ‭9:15-16‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

When we follow the Lord’s will and ways in loving obedience, He navigates us through the pitfalls of life. Those who go through life in their own understanding… trying to make things happen for themselves (often at the expense of others), will become the victims of their own scheming – if not in this life, then definitely in the life to come.

Proverbs: “The Lord’s curse is on the household of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous; He mocks those who mock, but gives grace to the humble. The wise will inherit honor, but he holds up fools to dishonor.” (‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭3:33-35‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

The word translated as curse speaks of an execration, or denouncement… not a curse that wishes bad things upon someone. Basically, the Lord has described the consequences of not following His will, His word, and His ways – and that denouncement is on those who have chosen wickedness over righteousness. The “curse” is separation from God’s life, wisdom, and blessing. The curse of sin is of our own doing – just like David described in Psalm 9. The consequences come at our own hand… the wicked fall into their own traps. However, God blesses those who obey His will, His word, and His ways.

Genesis 20:1-21:21; Matthew 7:15-23; Psalms 9:9-12; Proverbs 3:27-32

OT: “The Lord came to Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did for Sarah what he had promised. Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the appointed time God had told him. Abraham named his son who was born to him — the one Sarah bore to him — Isaac. When his son Isaac was eight days old, Abraham circumcised him, as God had commanded him. Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him… Early in the morning Abraham got up, took bread and a waterskin, put them on Hagar’s shoulders, and sent her and the boy away. She left and wandered in the Wilderness of Beer-sheba. When the water in the skin was gone, she left the boy under one of the bushes and went and sat at a distance, about a bowshot away, for she said, “I can’t bear to watch the boy die!” While she sat at a distance, she wept loudly. God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What’s wrong, Hagar? Don’t be afraid, for God has heard the boy crying from the place where he is. Get up, help the boy up, and grasp his hand, for I will make him a great nation.”” (‭‭Genesis‬ ‭21:1-5, 14-18‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

God is always faithful to His word, and He is never limited in His faithfulness. God promise Abraham a son through his wife Sarah, and even though both were very old, God remained faithful to His promise, giving Abraham and Sarah a son when Abraham was 100 years old. Even though Isaac was the “son of promise” and would be Abraham’s heir and carrier of God’s covenant, God had also made a promise to Hagar the slave. When she was alone in the wilderness, God saw her situation and promised that if she returned and submitted to Sarah, He would make her son a great nation. Now that Isaac was born, Hagar and her son were now abandoned in the wilderness and left to die. This time God heard and answered her and her son’s cry. He provided water in the desert and reinforced His word. When we trust in the Lord and obey His will, we are never abandoned, and we put ourselves in a place to experience God’s faithfulness.

NT: “Be on your guard against false prophets who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravaging wolves. You’ll recognize them by their fruit. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes or figs from thistles? In the same way, every good tree produces good fruit, but a bad tree produces bad fruit. A good tree can’t produce bad fruit; neither can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So you’ll recognize them by their fruit. “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.” (‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7:15-21‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

Right after Jesus taught against hypocritical judging, He explains how we are to judge. He teaches us that we are to judge true followers of the Lord by their fruit… and ultimately, this is how the Father will judge people. The Father won’t receive everyone who claims to be His follower into His kingdom. He will only receive those who have trusted in Him and obeyed His will… and born the fruit of someone who truly follows Him. And fruit is how we determine if a person is trustworthy or not. For all the promises of the Lord to be yes and amen in your life, you must obey the will of the Father and thus produce good fruit through His grace. The wonderful thing about God is that He isn’t a respecter of persons – anyone can be made new and begin bearing good fruit by placing their faith in Him and receiving His salvation.

Psalms: “The Lord is a refuge for the persecuted, a refuge in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you because you have not abandoned those who seek you, Lord.” (‭‭Psalms‬ ‭9:9-10‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

Those who truly know the Lord, trust in Him, and seek Him – they will not be abandoned, regardless of who they are.

Genesis 19:27-38; Matthew 7:7-14; Psalms 9:1-8; Proverbs 3:21-26

OT: “So it was, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, he remembered Abraham and brought Lot out of the middle of the upheaval when he demolished the cities where Lot had lived. Lot departed from Zoar and lived in the mountains along with his two daughters, because he was afraid to live in Zoar. Instead, he and his two daughters lived in a cave. Then the firstborn said to the younger, “Our father is old, and there is no man in the land to sleep with us as is the custom of all the land. Come, let’s get our father to drink wine so that we can sleep with him and preserve our father’s line.” …So both of Lot’s daughters became pregnant by their father.” (‭‭Genesis‬ ‭19:29-32, 36‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

Back in Genesis 13, Lot was given a choice, and he decided to follow his own wisdom and “take” the land that looked to be the most profitable to him. This is where his decision to follow his own wisdom brought him: everything he owned was destroyed, he was homeless and fearfully living in a cave, and his two daughters out of desperation decided to sleep with him so that they could have sons.

NT: “Ask, and it will be given to you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Who among you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him. Therefore, whatever you want others to do for you, do also the same for them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. “Enter through the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who go through it. How narrow is the gate and difficult the road that leads to life, and few find it.” (‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7:7-14‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

The narrow way that leads to life involves asking, seeking, and knocking. All of those are actions of humility and are counter to self-reliance. One who is proud and self-reliant will not ask, he will take… instead of seeking for wisdom, he will ignore the proven voice of wisdom and go his one way… instead of knocking first, he will barge into areas and opportunities that are not his. The truth to remember is that God is a good Father, and He only wants good for His children – so with God, there is safety in asking, seeking, and knocking. If we ask for something that is not good for us, our good and loving Father will say no. If we seek His wisdom on something, He will share it with us. If we knock, asking if this opportunity is good and open to us, and it is not, then He will keep the door closed and save us hardship and embarrassment. And in our asking, seeking, and knocking – treat others respectfully and come to serve them instead of demanding to be served. If we humble ourselves in this way and honor the Lord, we make ourselves bless-able – for God gives grace to the humble, but the proud, He resists. This way is challenging because it involves dying to our immediate desires and preferences, and few people choose to go this way… but it leads to life.

Proverbs: “Maintain sound wisdom and discretion. My son, don’t lose sight of them. They will be life for you and adornment for your neck. Then you will go safely on your way; your foot will not stumble. When you lie down, you will not be afraid; you will lie down, and your sleep will be pleasant. Don’t fear sudden danger or the ruin of the wicked when it comes, for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from a snare.” (‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭3:21-26‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

Again, seek the Lord’s wisdom and walk in His discretion. By doing that, you choose life, peace, and rest; and walk away from angst, turmoil, and destruction.