by Verena Johnson
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This is from the Lord; we can say nothing to you one way or the other (Genesis 24:50b).
Read Genesis 24:28–38,49–51
Hindsight is a wonderful thing. It’s amazing how we can see things with so much more clarity when we look back on them. Then there’s foresight, where we can predict future possibilities and prepare for them.
There’s another ‘sight’ that you may not have heard of. Probably because I just invented it. I wish I had ‘middle-sight’, where I could see what is really going on right in the middle of things and not have to wait until later or try to predict it earlier.
After reading this story again, I am amazed at how everybody seemed to understand exactly what was going on while it was happening. There appears to be no confusion or questioning. No-one doubts that it’s God’s plan and his doing. They can all see God’s hand so clearly as the story unfolds. Laban sums it up by saying, ‘This is from the Lord’. He goes on to add that there is nothing more they can say about it.
So why is it so hard to see God’s hand in our lives at times? Then, when we do, why do we second-guess him, doubt him, question him and have so much to say?
Sometimes we fail to see the hand of God in the midst of things simply because we’re not looking for it or even expecting it. Maybe it’s because we have a set idea of how he should be acting and what he should be doing, and we’re not looking anywhere else. If we can’t see God’s hand, it’s not because he’s not actively working in our lives. He is. He is always at work and blessing us beyond measure.
We can ask God to open our spiritual eyes to see his hand more clearly in our everyday lives and then actively look for him, expecting to see him at work.
Think back over the last few days. Where can you see the hand of God? How has God been active in your everyday life?
Loving Father, thank you that you are active in my life. Thank you for all the blessings you give me each day. Open my spiritual eyes to see your hand more clearly in my life. Help me to look for you and expect you today. Amen.
Verena is a Church Worker Support Officer for the LCA’s Church Worker Support team, through which it is her privilege to support congregations, pastors, lay workers, employees and volunteers of the LCA. In her spare time, she is involved in drama ministry, women’s ministry and prayer ministry. She has three children and nine grandchildren in three different states.
by Verena Johnson
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
As for me, the Lord has led me … (Genesis 24:27b).
Read Genesis 24:1–27
What is the hardest thing you’ve ever been asked to do?
How about: ‘Go to a far country and find a wife for my son, and you can’t take him with you to meet her’?
The interesting thing is that, in response to receiving this fairly daunting task, the servant only asked Abraham one question. I would have had a whole list of them. Abraham did assure his servant that God ‘will send his angel before you’. But I still can’t help wondering what must have been going through this poor man’s mind on his long journey to that strange country. He had plenty of time to think about what he had been asked to do.
The real standout thing about this story is what the servant did when he finally reached his destination. After he found a likely spot near a spring, the first thing he did was pray. He handed the whole daunting task he had been given over to God and asked him to do the heavy lifting.
Before he had even finished praying, God answered his prayer with nothing short of a miracle. God helped the servant to accomplish his task successfully, and he knew it. His immediate response was to worship and praise God and tell Rebekah how the Lord had led him.
In this story, we can see how God is actively involved in the lives of his children. He is keenly interested in our everyday decisions, both big and small. He wants us to turn to him. To hand the things we are asked to do to him. To let him do the heavy lifting when we are carrying the weight of responsibility. To make prayer the first thing we do and not a last act of desperation.
How has God led and guided you in the past?
Take a moment to thank and praise him for those times.
Where is God leading you and guiding you right now?
Take a moment to talk with him about this.
Dear God, I’m sorry for the times when I failed to turn to you and tried to do it all in my own strength and wisdom. Help me to turn to you first when I need guidance. Lead and guide me today in all I do and say. Amen.
Verena is a Church Worker Support Officer for the LCA’s Church Worker Support team, through which it is her privilege to support congregations, pastors, lay workers, employees and volunteers of the LCA. In her spare time, she is involved in drama ministry, women’s ministry and prayer ministry. She has three children and nine grandchildren in three different states.
by Verena Johnson
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45).
Read Mark 10:35–45
Have you ever asked a stupid question and then really wished you’d kept your mouth closed? I can think of a few times when I just wanted the ground to swallow me up.
Today’s reading includes one of the most stupid requests in the Bible. James and John start off with, ‘Do whatever we ask’. Really?! What on earth were they thinking? Then they follow it up with, ‘Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory’. What kind of a request is that?
James and John were already in Jesus’ inner circle with Peter. Maybe that gave them big heads or an inflated sense of importance. They weren’t even being secretive about this – the other disciples all heard. Again, what were they thinking?! Had they learnt nothing from all their time with Jesus and his teaching and example?
Three times, Jesus had predicted that he would suffer and die in Jerusalem. In Mark 8:31–33, 9:30–32 and just before today’s text in 10:32–34. Somehow, these two disciples made it all about them and completely missed what Jesus was saying.
Of course, Jesus knew what was in their hearts, but he still asked them anyway. If it were me, I’d be rolling my eyes and not even bothering to keep the sarcasm out of my voice. Jesus probably just sighed internally and lovingly prepared to use it as a teaching moment for the whole group.
Teach them he did. Again. Christians have called the way Jesus described his kingdom ‘the great reverse’. Jesus turned everything upside-down or backwards. The last shall be first and the first last. To be great, you’ve got to become a servant or slave of all.
Forget James and John for a moment. What about you and me? We can also struggle with our own sense of importance in wanting recognition, power, position, influence and even glory. We struggle with living the great reverse and being last or being servants. Serving ourselves instead of Jesus or others comes naturally to us.
Thank Jesus that he ‘didn’t come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many’. Thanks to the ransom he paid, we can be forgiven, like James and John, for our ungodly desires and actions, our daily stuff-ups, and even our stupidest questions.
Jesus, thank you that you came to serve and give your life as a ransom for me. Forgive me when I fail to serve you and others and instead serve myself. Help me to live today in service to you and those you send into my life. Amen.
Verena is a Church Worker Support Officer for the LCA’s Church Worker Support team, through which it is her privilege to support congregations, pastors, lay workers, employees and volunteers of the LCA. In her spare time, she is involved in drama ministry, women’s ministry and prayer ministry. She has three children and nine grandchildren in three different states.
by Pastor Peter Bean
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The Lord is your protection; you have made God Most High your place of safety (Psalm 91:9).
Read Psalm 91:9–16
Many people say this is one of their favourite psalms. I can understand why. It is full of promises. If you read the whole psalm, you will see how verses 9 to 16 more or less parallel verses 1 to 8.
It is a psalm of confidence, hope, protection and abundant life. It is a psalm that was obviously spoken or written when the writer was in a good place, life was going well, the psalmist had recovered from a distressing time and the psalmist could look forward to an ongoing, abundant life. Which is terrific. And it would be a wonderful place to be in.
But we are not always in that place. In this world, life has a habit of hitting us in the face and slowing us down. When a relationship goes sour, a business fails, a friend dies suddenly, or illness strikes, life does not seem so good. Abundance can seem to have disappeared. We need to honour those times. They will not be enjoyable. They will take time to get through. They may leave us anxious or distressed. They may leave us frail and in ill health. Where is the protection, then? Where is the place of safety?
Perhaps that is the time to turn to this psalm again. (And perhaps not. Don’t flog yourself trying to feel good. Read the psalm when you are ready!) In her paraphrase, Nan Merrill renders verse 9: ‘I will surrender myself to you, abandoning myself into your hands without reserve.’ Can you do that? Can you turn to the Lord, surrendering life with all its ups and downs to him? Can you put your trust in him?
The reality is that God is your protection – even in the down times, as well as in the good times. Make God Most High your place of safety. And look forward to an abundant life.
God of comfort, protection and safety, please remind me of your presence in my life. Be with me in times of trouble. Be with me in times of abundance. Help us all to live in harmony. Amen.
In early October, Peter enjoyed a family camp with his children and grandchildren at Lake Bonney, South Australia. Then, he returned to weeding, planting, riding, reading and relaxing!
by Pastor Peter Bean
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
I am only a stranger and foreigner here. Sell me some of your land (Genesis 23:4a).
Read Genesis 23:1–20
If you have been reading the story of Abraham carefully this week, you’ll have noticed that among all the horrible bits is a story of hospitality. In fact, hospitality and inhospitality are woven throughout this narrative. The Greek word for hospitality literally means ‘love of strangers'. So, Abraham welcomes the three strangers in Genesis 18, feeds them and gives them a drink. This is taken up in Hebrews 13, where we are told: ‘Remember to welcome strangers, because some who have done this have welcomed angels without knowing it.’ Think back through this week’s readings. Where are examples of hospitality and inhospitality?
So, we come to Genesis 23. Sarah dies. Abraham seeks to bury her. He goes to the Hittites, the adversaries of the Israelites and their (our) God. And as you read the chapter, you will see hospitality played out, back and forth, until there is an agreement all are happy with.
No bickering over whose land this is, no slandering of each other, no questioning each other’s motives. Rather, acceptance of who they are and their place in the world. Peace in their time!
Can we follow their example? Can we accept God’s statement to us through Paul in Ephesians 2:19? ‘So now you are no longer strangers and aliens. Rather, you are fellow citizens with God’s people, and you belong to God’s household.’ And then apply it to our lives?
God accepts all. You, me, your neighbours, the first inhabitants of Australia, those who come from different lands. In our world of social disharmony that we seem to live in, we do well to remember God’s words: ‘You belong to God’s household.’ Then, living in grace and forgiveness, extend that hospitality to all we encounter, all humanity, remembering each person is made in God’s image and is also extended grace.
God of hospitality, who loves humanity in all its various expressions, let me live in your love. Help me to reflect that grace and forgiveness to everyone I meet. Amen.
In early October, Peter enjoyed a family camp with his children and grandchildren at Lake Bonney, South Australia. Then, he returned to weeding, planting, riding, reading and relaxing!
by Pastor Peter Bean
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
Sarah said: God has made me laugh. Everyone who hears about this will laugh with me (Genesis 21:6).
Read Genesis 21:1–7; 22:1–18
No wonder Sarah was laughing. Ninety years old! A newborn son! She had laughed at God when he said she would have a son. But God kept to his promise. And, at a ripe old age, she had borne new life. A blessing from God. A peal of laughter in her life. So, now, she could laugh with God.
And everyone who heard about it could laugh with her. Perhaps, at first, in disbelief. But then, with joy and marvelling at this miracle. Recognising that God keeps his promises and can do all things!
Have you ever laughed at God? Have you ever perhaps said – or at least thought: ‘Come on, God, you’ve got to be joking. This ain’t gonna happen.’ And yet it does, leaving humans shaking their heads in disbelief. Stories abound in the Bible and throughout history of those who questioned – even challenged – God and then had their lives turned around through the miraculous workings of the Holy Spirit.
Perhaps you have a story like that in your life. If so, why not share it and get people laughing with you? Maybe you are in a situation in your life now where the last thing you want to do is laugh. Those times can be hard – distressing and even soul-destroying. If so, find someone you trust to confide in and share with. After all, a burden shared is often a burden lightened.
Or, if you have to, tell God what you think. Laugh at God! God won’t strike you down. But he will keep the promise made to all of us: to be with you. He will be present in your distress, hear your complaints, and accept your disbelief and your laughter (that’s what the psalms teach us to do). And, in time, God will move you to a place where you can laugh with him and invite others to laugh with you.
My favourite verse in the Bible is Ephesians 3:19: God can do far more than you can imagine! It worked for Sarah. It works for me. It can work for you. Allow God’s imagination to run riot in your life. And allow God to make you laugh.
God of laughter, God who knows distress, be with us in our glad times and our sad times. Please help us to trust in you and to look forward to times of shared laughter. Amen.
In early October, Peter enjoyed a family camp with his children and grandchildren at Lake Bonney, South Australia. Then, he returned to weeding, planting, riding, reading and relaxing!
by Pastor Peter Bean
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
So the Lord was merciful to Lot and his family (Genesis 19:16b).
Read Genesis 19:1–17,24–29
What to make of these verses? Not the most wonderful reading in the Bible. It started off well with hospitality shown by Lot. But it quickly degenerated into all sorts of terrible things: sexual immorality, betrayal of family, disbelief, tardiness, warnings ignored, ingratitude. And, as we read on, there is more.
What do we do with all of this? Of course, it’s easy to jump to conclusions and become judgemental of actions and inactions, groups and individuals. And don’t we do that? Sorry, I’ll let you answer that for yourself. For myself, yes, I do jump to conclusions. I do make judgements. I do look down on people. Lord, have mercy.
And the Lord does. Even when we think we have more time to prepare. Even when we joke about what God might do. Even when we are inhospitable. Even when we condemn!
I guess, here, in these verses, we have a good description of human nature. Thoughts and actions are described that can lead us away from God. Even when God is present – in our face, if you like – even when God is clear, and we can hear the voice of the Spirit guiding us. (Did you know that, in the Hebrew Scriptures, to hear is the same as to obey?)
But we also have a good description of God’s nature: to be merciful, to restore those who lack trust or think they can make it on their own. Can each of us examine our lives? Look for those times when you didn’t trust God’s promises and thought you could make it alone. Look for those times when God’s mercy re-appeared: in a word of forgiveness, in a restoration of relationships, in a comforting hug, in the quiet breath of the Spirit breathing new life into you.
And give thanks for the Lord’s mercy.
Lord God, Heavenly Dad, gracious Saviour, life-giving Spirit, thank you for your mercy, shown to me in so many ways. Thank you. Amen.
In early October, Peter enjoyed a family camp with his children and grandchildren at Lake Bonney, South Australia. Then, he returned to weeding, planting, riding, reading and relaxing.
by Pastor Peter Bean
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
I, the Lord, will give Abraham what I promised him (Genesis 18:19c).
Read Genesis 18:16–33
What had the Lord promised Abraham? If you read his whole story, which begins in Genesis 12, you’ll see that God had promised Abraham many things of various kinds! Land, fame, many children, a great nation, protection, blessings and now, in his old age (as we read yesterday), way past childbearing, a son.
Perhaps that is why Abraham thought he could bargain really hard with God! He had been blessed. He knew God was on his side.
Think over your life. How have you been blessed? Share those blessings with someone today. I have no doubt that many of you (if not all) can also recall difficult times when it seemed like God was not present. Don’t hide or deny them. But for today, think about the blessings you have received. Your list might include any of the following: food to eat, a house to live in, health, overseas trips, tours of the outback, friendships, abilities of various kinds, a church family or recognition.
Some of you may recall many blessings; others may struggle to recall too many. That’s okay. Whatever blessings you have received, also consider what you have done with them. None of us is perfect, so this is not meant to be a guilt trip. Rather, I hope it might be an encouragement: to see that what you have been blessed with has blessed others, too.
That is a common theme in Abraham’s story. Yes, I – God – will give what I have promised, but all of it is to bring blessings to other people. ‘The people on earth will be blessed through you’ (Genesis 12:3b); ‘… all nations on earth will be blessed through him’ (Genesis 18:18b).
You may not have been blessed as Abraham was. But you have been blessed – in big or small ways. Have you recalled those blessings yet? As you do, think about how you have – or can – use these blessings to bless other people. That way, you join the long line of Abraham’s descendants who bring blessings to all on earth.
Thank you, God of Abraham, that you are also the living and present God of my life. Thank you for the blessings you have given me. [Say them out loud.] May I use these blessings to bring blessings to those around me. Amen.
In early October, Peter enjoyed a family camp with his children and grandchildren at Lake Bonney, South Australia. Then, he returned to weeding, planting, riding, reading and relaxing!
by Pastor Peter Bean
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
Is anything too hard for the Lord? (Genesis 18:14a)
Read Genesis 18:1–16
A woman too old, far too old to have a baby! Peace in our time! A coming together of rich and poor, rather than the ongoing widening expanse! Justice, integrity, mercy! Perhaps we might laugh along with Sarah when considering these possibilities and promises.
Is anything too hard for the Lord? Honestly, right now, it seems so. Will justice and mercy prevail in the Middle East and other conflict zones? Will the homeless receive a roof over their heads anytime soon? Is there any chance of recognition of the humanity of refugees in our country? Are we better off just laughing and getting on with our lives?
BUT! And it is a big but! These promises of God are not the promises made by politicians before an election. God is not trying to win our favour or our vote! Instead, God is speaking into our situations – your sadness or despair and your longing for justice and new life.
God’s core promise? Do not be afraid! Three hundred and sixty-five times in the Bible! Yep, that’s right. One for each day. We can take our fears, anxieties and cries for help to our loving God each day and be reassured. Do not be afraid! I, God, can see you; I can hear you. As my son Jesus promised, I am with you always.
Amid unbelief, despair, crisis, injustice and unfairness, God is present, and Jesus is with us always. The Holy Spirit floats over the chaos of our lives, restoring order and bringing hope.
Laugh if you will, but it is better to laugh with the Presence of God rather than laugh at unbelievable promises.
God of laughter, replace our tears and fears with joy and happiness in your presence. Amen.
In early October, Peter enjoyed a family camp with his children and grandchildren at Lake Bonney, South Australia. Then, he returned to weeding, planting, riding, reading and relaxing!