I meant to post this a while back, but didn't get around to it. A friend of mine shared this verse with me a few years ago when we were involved in a daily Bible reading. When I came across it a few weeks ago I remembered just how much I enjoy this verse. I think it is so comforting that even though we as humans may deliberately try to do evil to one another God can use that evil for good.
Genesis 50:20
As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.
Showing posts with label Genesis. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Genesis. Show all posts
Monday, February 21, 2011
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Seeking God's Counsel
Today's sermon made me think of our reading this week when Abraham sent his servant to find a wife for Isaac. Before the servant entered the city (Genesis 24:10-21) he spoke to the Lord and asked for him to show love to his master, Abraham so he might choose the right wife. Before he finished speaking Rebekah was approaching the spring and the events following allowed the servant to find a wife for Isaac.
Verse 21 tells us that the servant gazed at her in silence to learn whether the Lord had prospered his journey or not. Even though all of the events that had just happened were identical to his request, he still waited to confirm that this was the wife for Isaac.
Today we learned that the Israelites took the Gibeonites at face value and did not seek counsel from the Lord (Joshua 9:14). As a result, the Israelites were tricked into a covenant that God did not want and they had to live with the consequences.
Abraham's servant sought out God's counsel and he answered his request. Let's remember to include God in our daily decisions.
Verse 21 tells us that the servant gazed at her in silence to learn whether the Lord had prospered his journey or not. Even though all of the events that had just happened were identical to his request, he still waited to confirm that this was the wife for Isaac.
Today we learned that the Israelites took the Gibeonites at face value and did not seek counsel from the Lord (Joshua 9:14). As a result, the Israelites were tricked into a covenant that God did not want and they had to live with the consequences.
Abraham's servant sought out God's counsel and he answered his request. Let's remember to include God in our daily decisions.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Trust and Obey
When God told Noah to build the ark He gave specific instructions. “Make yourself an ark of gopher wood...This is how you are to make it: the length of the ark 300 cubits, its breadth 50 cubits, and its height 30 cubits...Make it with lower, second, and third decks.” Gen 6:14-16
In v22 we see that Noah followed the instructions, “Noah did this; he did all that God commanded him.” That must have taken a tremendous amount of faith and trust in the Lord, because building an ark isn't something you can do in a week or even a month. I'm sure the people around him thought he was crazy and they probably let him know it. Of course Noah was right to trust God as he and his family were the only people saved when the flood came.
As we're living our lives we have the freedom to do anything, but we need to make sure we're paying attention to God's commands for us in the Bible and following His instructions so we, like Noah, can be saved.
In v22 we see that Noah followed the instructions, “Noah did this; he did all that God commanded him.” That must have taken a tremendous amount of faith and trust in the Lord, because building an ark isn't something you can do in a week or even a month. I'm sure the people around him thought he was crazy and they probably let him know it. Of course Noah was right to trust God as he and his family were the only people saved when the flood came.
As we're living our lives we have the freedom to do anything, but we need to make sure we're paying attention to God's commands for us in the Bible and following His instructions so we, like Noah, can be saved.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Land of Nod?
In Genesis 4 Cain kills his brother Abel and becomes a wanderer and a fugitive. "Then Cain went away from the presence of the Lord and settled in the Land of Nod, east of Eden" (v16) where he apparently got married.
Any thoughts on who these people in Nod were?
Any thoughts on who these people in Nod were?
Before the world began, God had a great plan!
A few years back I had the opportunity to teach the baby class with Jennifer at church. For nine weeks our curriculum repeated Genesis 1. We would begin each class singing "Before the world began, God had a great plan...Jesus was the plan for man." From there we would lead into the story of creation and all of the wonderful things God created for man to enjoy. Finishing up with our responsibility to God. I'm not saying that the 1's & 2's comprehended how the story all fits together, but the beauty of seeing young ones making connections to the world around them and God (the creator) was extremely rewarding. This was a good reminder to take the time and appreciate every little thing...even the creepy crawly things...that come from God. God is so good!
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Amazing
The creation account is pretty straight forward. And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. Gen 1:3
It almost sounds simple. I've heard/read the story of creation many times and sometimes I think I gloss over it without appreciating the magnitude. When I stop to think about the complexity of His creation (a gazillion species of wildlife, mountains, oceans, sun, moon, the human body, etc) it's mind boggling. God created everything from nothing in six days and today - thousands of years later - people are still learning new things about His design. Amazing.
It almost sounds simple. I've heard/read the story of creation many times and sometimes I think I gloss over it without appreciating the magnitude. When I stop to think about the complexity of His creation (a gazillion species of wildlife, mountains, oceans, sun, moon, the human body, etc) it's mind boggling. God created everything from nothing in six days and today - thousands of years later - people are still learning new things about His design. Amazing.
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