Sunday Reading: Genesis 49 22-25
Key Verse: Genesis 49 24
24 But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob (from the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel);
Devotion:
When we look back at men from the old testament, we may often think that there were great men who stood out, who stood over and above all others. But each one of them that are listed as a great man without God behind them, fell from grace and did not have the life that we may have expected. But those that trusted in God and continually obeyed Him shone like stars. It is that sort of belief and trust that we need in God today.
Key Verse: Genesis 49 24
24 But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob (from the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel);
Devotion:
When we look back at men from the old testament, we may often think that there were great men who stood out, who stood over and above all others. But each one of them that are listed as a great man without God behind them, fell from grace and did not have the life that we may have expected. But those that trusted in God and continually obeyed Him shone like stars. It is that sort of belief and trust that we need in God today.
Far too many distractions take us away from God and from His Word. We are surrounded by fiery darts. Just as Joseph had to face them, so do we have to face the temptations and distractions. Just like archers using a tree for target practice will leave marks on the tree, so do those distractions and temptations leave marks in our lives. No matter how much we try to put them behind us, they will always be there. What we need is protection from them in the beginning so that they will not strike us to start with!
We have that strength and protection in God. But in order to gain from it, we have to wear that protection. What if we have a suit of armour but did not put it on? What if we went into battle but left our bulletproof jacket at home because we thought it was a bit cumbersome? Leaving the protection at home is as good as not having any. Wearing it once a week as just as bad, especially when we wear it on a day where we do not face so many of those temptations!
If we want to be able to stand out like great men of the bible, then we have to be willing to show that our strength comes not from within, but from God Himself. We have to be willing to take Him with us wherever we go. We have to be willing to allow His light to shine through us so that others will see that we do have that protection!
Points to Ponder:
How often do you wear clothes to protect you from the elements?
Why should we not be wearing God's Word all the time?
How often do you wear clothes to protect you from the elements?
Why should we not be wearing God's Word all the time?