Tag Archives: Genesis

Genesis 22, Psalm 26-28

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In Genesis 22 we read of another great act of faith by Abraham, the almost-sacrifice of Isaac. Even more challenging than leaving Ur or waiting 25 years for a promised seed that was naturally impossible, Abraham simply states to Isaac “God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering”. Abraham had faith that whatever the outcome, God would provide. He even names the place where he found the ram caught in the thicket, “The Lord will provide”.

David also believed that God would provide for his needs. Psalm 28, “Blessed be the LORD! For he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy. The LORD is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him. The LORD is the strength of his people; he is the saving refuge of his anointed.”

God will always provide what we need, whether it be trial or refuge or strength. “Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage”

Genesis 18-19, Psalm 22

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24 years after Abram had first been promised to become a great nation, in Genesis 18 Abram is told that his promised child would finally arrive the next year, when Abram would be 100. Romans 4 tells us that his faith did not waver, but instead he was fully convinced that God was able to do what He had promised.

In stark contrast to this highlight of Abram’s life comes the destruction of Sodom, and the narrow escape of Lot. We see the end result of the choices Abram and Lot made, one choosing to remain in the promised land, the other the well watered Jordan Valley.

Psalm 22 is a Messianic Psalm, describing the results of the choices that Jesus made, the pain and anguish he experienced on the cross, yet still he maintained his trust in God. “For he has not despised or abhorred the affliction of the afflicted, and he has not hidden his face from him, but has heard, when he cried to him.”

It also describes a time we all long for, “All the ends of the earth shall remember
and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you.” A fulfilment of the promise God made to Abram, that we have been invited to share.

Genesis 15, Psalm 18

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Abram’s journey of faith was neither easy nor peaceful. Having battled against Chedorlaomer and rescued Lot, Abram was afraid. God reassured Abram, saying “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great…your very own son shall be your heir” .  Again God reminded Abram of previous promises, “I am the Lord who brought you out from Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land to possess”.

Abram believed God when He said this impossible thing would happen, and that belief was counted as righteousness. Faith is not something developed overnight, it takes time, and God knows this.

Psalm 18 was David’s way of thanking God for reassurance during his trials, a Psalm written for all Israel to sing. “I love you, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.”

God has given us examples like David and Abram to show that He will reassure and encourage us during difficult times, further developing our faith.

Genesis 12, Psalm 14-16

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God told Abram to leave Ur and travel to a land unknown. Abram “went, as the Lord and told him”. Along the way Abram built altars and worshipped God. He showed great faith, yet made mistakes, travelling to Egypt during a time of famine and lying about his wife.

Psalm 14-16 touch on the idea of deceit. “O Lord, who shall sojourn in your test? … He who walks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks truth in his heart”. We all make mistakes, even great men of faith like Abram and David.

Perhaps that is why there are so many Psalms that talk about God’s care and Him being our refuge.  “Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge… I have no good apart from you”. David realised and wrote about his mistakes, and his method for dealing with them, both sobering and comforting. He writes “I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.”

 

Genesis 6, Matthew 5

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Noah walked with God, in a time when the wickedness of man was great in the earth. He found favour in the eyes of God, and was given a hope of salvation. He was faithful to God’s command to build a boat, even when it seemed unusual and unnecessary.

There are a lot of parallels between Noah’s life and our lives. We have a hope, a future, that this world does not. It is up to us to share that hope.  We are “the light of the world”, we must let our “light shine before others” and so give God glory.

We can “rejoice and be glad”, serving God rather than the cares of this life, knowing that there is a future reward for us stored securely, where neither moth nor rust can destroy it.

Genesis 2, Psalms 2, Matthew 1

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At a time of year many call the festive season, all 3 of our daily readings give us something to truly be happy and cheerful about.

In Genesis 2 we read of creation and God’s rest on the seventh day, calling it holy. We are looking forward to entering God’s rest, and resting from our own works.

In Psalms 2 we read “The Lord said to me, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you… Blessed are all who take refuge in him””. We need a place of refuge from the influence of sin, and God has provided us a refuge in the hope of the gospel.

In Matthew 1 we read that Jesus “will save his people from their sins”. He is described as a ruler, who will shepherd God’s people. This is our salvation, the gospel message.

 

Genesis 39-40, Psalm 44

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Genesis 39-40 records Joseph’s continued faith and reliance on God, even in the distant foreign country of Egypt. Four times we read the phrase “the Lord was with Joseph“. He was successful in all that he did, and Potiphar’s household was blessed because of the presence of Joseph.  When faced with temptation, his thoughts were focused on God.

Similarly, God was with his people Israel. The psalmist writes “for not by their own sword did they win the land, nor did their own arm save them, but your right hand and your arm, and the light of your face, for you delighted in them…you have saved us from our foes and have put to shame those who hate us”. God’s support was not unconditional though, when they turned from Him they suffered at the hands of the surrounding nations.

Let us aim to be like Joseph, to ensure people around us can see our relationship with God, as Potiphar could see Joseph’s relationship with God, remaining faithful despite the difficulties of life.

 

Genesis 26, Psalm 31

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In Genesis 26, Isaac is reminded 3 times that God is with him. Even after repeating his father’s mistake of describing his wife as his sister for fear of death, God appears to Isaac and reminds him  that the blessings of Abraham also applied to Isaac.

David in Psalm 31 describes the comfort and refuge he feels as a result of God being with him.  In contrast to Isaac ‘s lie about his wife, David puts his trust in God. “In you, O Lord, do I take refuge… incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily… into your hand I commit my spirit“. During his time of distress, David recognises God would care for him, even when everyone else has forsaken him. “He has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me when I was in a besieged city… you heard the voice of my pleas for mercy when I cried to you for help.”

We are encouraged to follow David’s example. “Love the Lord, all you his saints! The Lord preserves the faithful…be strong, and let your heart take courage.“

Genesis 39-40, Psalms 40, Matthew 26

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The fact that God was with Joseph is emphasised numerous times in these chapters of Gensis. Yet that didn’t mean Joseph had an easy life. Even in a foreign country, Joseph doesn’t abandon his beliefs in order to fit in. He flees temptation when it appears, and even though Joseph seems to be punished for doing so, by being jailed, he doesn’t abandon his beliefs in God.

David similarly maintained his reliance on God in times of trouble. Even while he felt that God had “made us a byword among the nations, a laughingstock among the peoples. All day long my disgrace is before me, and shame has covered my face”, David could also say “For not in my bow do I trust, nor can my sword save me. But you have saved us from our foes and have put to shame those who hate us.”

Finally, in Matt 26 we have the example of Jesus, who relied on God so perfectly that he was willing to sacrifice himself at God’s command, completely trusting that he would be raised again. He endured such agony and suffering, ““My soul is very sorrowful, even to death”, yet remained perfectly obedient.

So today we have 3 amazing examples of faithful people, who struggled in their own ways to serve God, yet remained faithful. We can be encouraged by knowing that, despite their struggles, they were faithful, and it is possible for us to be faithful to our God in the face of trials and hardships. We can all look forward to that day when we will be able to drink wine with our Lord Jesus Christ, knowing that God is ready and willing to help us in our lives.

Genesis 38, Psalms 41-43

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What a contrast between Judah and David! Judah left his brothers, turned aside, had children so wicked they were put to death by God. David’s “soul thirsts for God”, even when he was mourning and suffering at the hands of his enemies. Even though David repeatedly refers to his soul being cast down, his hope remains sure, “Hope in God, for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God”.

God can be our rock too, a source of strength in this life of uncertainty, so that when Christ returns we can hear those words “Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world”.  Jesus describes the faithful as being blessed by God, and this is also a great comfort.