Growth and Setbacks Along the Path
Genesis 12:7b
So [Abram] built an altar there to the LORD, who had appeared to him.
Pondering Point
In the Old Testament, some altars like the one Abraham builds in Genesis 12 serve as a testimony – a type of standing record for all to see, including the ones involved. Genesis 22 shows Abraham building another altar, this one for sacrifice. Verses 1-19 record quite an experience between Abraham, his son Isaac and this God of covenant life. That experience leads to the subsequent title Abraham gives that place: The Lord will provide.
You may know the story. Abraham is asked by God to sacrifice his beloved son Isaac on a mountain. Abraham consents and takes steps to do just that. In dramatic fashion God stops him, providing a ram caught in a thicket instead. Abraham sacrifices the ram and, upon leaving, names the place The Lord will provide. But did you know that this same mountain is later used by God to sacrifice His own beloved Son? Indeed, the Lord would provide. That’s like our God – a God who covenants with You by sacrificing His beloved Jesus on this same mountain.
This call for sacrifice sets a great tone for the next piece in our discipleship covenant titled, How Discipleship Changes My Life:
Journal Prompt:
Knowing Jesus said “if you love Me you will obey what I command,” I understand some of Jesus’ teachings are in a sense “laws” or “rules” that require personal discipline (sacrifice) in my lifestyle in terms of time, energy, relationships, money, even sleep at times. I also recognize and believe that I am expected to follow not merely out of obligation, but more so out of love for God and moved by His Spirit; As I follow Jesus, I seek to live by the Spirit and keep in step with Him, enabling me to love God well and love my neighbor as myself.
Initial _____
Prayer
Father God, thank You for the sacrifice of Your beloved son provided on that sacred mountain. In response to Your love and moved by Your Spirit, help me live by Your Spirit and keep in step with Him, enabling me to love You well and love my neighbor as myself. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This week’s video comes is about the role of plot in the God’s Word and comes from BP’s How to read the Bible Series. Can ignoring plot sequences lead to distorted interpretations of biblical stories? Learn how to better understand plot in biblical narrative.
https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/plan-biblical-narrative/
Micro-Meditation
Psalm 23:1-6
- The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
- He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
- He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
- Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
- Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
- Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Read the versus of the Psalm.
Mark the words or phrases that catch your attention.
Meditate: talk (or better, write) with God about those words. Ask him to impress things upon your heart and mind; expect responses.
Teaching or Command of God
2 Timothy 2:2
Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
The Promise
Isaiah 42:16
I will lead the blind by ways they have not known; along unfamiliar paths I will guide them, I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.
Pondering Point
How do you distinguish between the righteous and unrighteous paths? Write below some of the righteous and unrighteous paths before you: