READING:
One-year plan: Genesis 33-36
Two-year plan: 2 Chronicles 34:14-35:19, Acts 9:26-35
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I fear that we sometimes fail to realize just how gracious God has been to us. We might occasionally use the right language of “blessing,” but I’m not sure many of us pause long enough to genuinely consider all God has done on our behalf. These things come to mind for me today as I read more of Jacob’s encounters with his brother, Esau. Within that story line are Jacob’s summaries of God’s goodness in his life:
- “God has been gracious to me, and I have everything I need” (Gen 33:11)
- “I will build an altar there to the God who answered me in my day of distress. He has been with me everywhere I have gone.” (Gen 35:3)
God had been good to Jacob. In fact, He had provided everything Jacob needed, had been there for him in tough days, and had been with him wherever Jacob had gone. Not a single one of those reminders was insignificant, of course. God’s ongoing presence and provision made a difference for Jacob.
I suspect that you and I could say the same things, too, about God. He’s granted us grace. He’s given us everything we need. In our most difficult days, He’s heard our cries. And, we can look back to see that He’s been with us wherever we’ve been. We could say the same things—but we often don’t because we take God’s goodness for granted. May the Lord forgive us!
PERSONAL REFLECTION: Do you ever take God’s grace and provision for granted?
DAILY PRAYER: “Forgive me, God, when I don’t pay enough attention to all You’ve done for me.”
TOMORROW’S READINGS:
One-year plan: Genesis 37-40
Two-year plan: 2 Chronicles 35:20-36:23, Acts 9:36-10:8
MEMORIZATION VERSE (JAN 1-15):
“A son was born to Seth also, and he named him Enosh. At that time people began to call on the name of the Lord.” (Gen 4:26)