January 7 readings

Genealogies are dominant today in I Chronicles and Luke. Jesus faces his temptation in the wilderness and is victorious because of his skillful knowledge of the Word of God and the power of the Holy Spirit. What should we do in response to this? We need to seek God's help constantly. Pray, as David did in Psalm 6:4.

4 Turn, O Lord, deliver my life;
save me for the sake of your steadfast love.

Our own devices are no match for the challenges of life, but God offers his present help, strength, and power if we but ask.

January 6 readings

God regrets creating man in Genesis 5. My prayer is that he would not regret creating Dan anytime now or in the future.

In Luke, we see the ministry of John encouraging everyone to demonstrate fruit befitting repentance. Our actions must match our words or our "beliefs" are in vain.

Call out to the Lord

Today's readings bring fresh reminders to pray to God to enjoy his favor. Enoch walked with God and was taken up with Him. David prayed fervently for help and was able to rest with confidence because God was his helper. The leaders of Reuben, Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh, conversely went after other Gods and were defeated because God marshaled other kings to attack. In Luke, we see the prophecies from Simeon and Anna about Jesus. These devout followers of God were given special insight as to the work and glory of God's son. We need to follow these good examples of godliness to enjoy God's delight and power.

January 4 readings

While surveying today's readings in Genesis, I Chronicles, Psalms and Luke, I see the varied response by people to God. On the positive side we have Abel (whose sacrifice was from "the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions"), Jabez (who "was more honorable than his brothers") Mary (who "treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart" upon hearing the shepherd's message) and David's confident prayer despite difficult circumstances.

On the negative side we have Cain whose poor attitude was displayed by his jealous response to God's favor of Abel, his murder of his brother, then his callous and unrepentant response to God when questioned. Abel begets the likes of Lamech who murders a young man for a minor injury and claims God's protection even more secure than what God offered Cain.

To top off these reactions we see the culminating event of the day are two births The first is the third son of Eve who replaces the murdered Abel and the cursed Cain: Seth. Through her seed the serpent will be defeated. Then we go to Luke where 2000 years later Jesus is born of a teenage girl in a stable surrounded by shepherds and animals. This humble origin is the hope of the world. He does not disappoint. he is the hope of Cain and Lamech and their victims. He is the hope of Eve and Adam and David who prayed confidently.

3 But you, O Lord, are a shield about me,
my glory, and the lifter of my head.
4 I cried aloud to the Lord,
and he answered me from his holy hill. Selah

5 I lay down and slept;
I woke again, for the Lord sustained me.
6 I will not be afraid of many thousands of people
who have set themselves against me all around.

7 Arise, O Lord!
Save me, O my God!
For you strike all my enemies on the cheek;
you break the teeth of the wicked.

8 Salvation belongs to the Lord;
your blessing be on your people!
Psalms 3:3-8

He is our hope today as well so we can pray along with David.

Take God's Word Serious

While reading "The Fall" in Genesis 3 today, it was noteworthy how both Adam and Eve so lightly regarded God's command regarding the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. We are to have no such cavalier attitude toward any of his commands. Obedience is the surest sign of true worship and adoration. All other outward signs of praise and worship are empty outside of obedience to God's commands

Choices Make all the DIfference

Psalms 1 sets some clear relationships of cause and effect.

1. Hang out with sinners and do what they do and you will benefit no one and be separated from God forever.
2. Think on God's laws and obey them and you will bring great joy to others and find favor with God now and in eternity.

Choose every day, every hour, every minute which of these paths to follow carefully considering their outcomes.

Thanks God for your wife

In Genesis 2, God provides a woman for Adam as it is not good that he should be alone. The term to describe the wife is helper. In the ESV study notes, it states that this "helper" is someone who fills in where the man lacks. What a great picture of the complimentary nature of a marriage.