God gave the law through Moses so that we would find life by living according to His word (Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20). We are called to contemplate the beauty of God’s creation and meditate on his words (Psalm 19). God has provided salvation for us in spite of our unfaithfulness (Psalm 80:7-15). In response, we are called to live in faith, knowing that our righteousness is only found in Christ (Philippians 3:4b-14). He is the only sure foundation for a fruitful life (Matthew 21:33-46).
Transgression, Humility, and the Faithfulness of Jesus
Cry out to God and remember what he has done. Listen to his promises, trust him, and live according to his ways (Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16). God is gracious to provide for our needs, even when we complain and are undeserving (Exodus 17:1-17). In gratitude, we turn from our own concerns to consider others better than ourselves (Philippians 2:1-13). Through faith and trust, we bow in humility to take Jesus at his word, accepting his authority and divinity (Matthew 21:23-32).
God is more holy than we can imagine or comprehend (Exodus 3:1-15). He has graciously revealed himself and called us to trust him. We respond in gratitude by choosing to walk in truth and love (Psalm 26). Remembering God’s faithfulness and promises (Psalm 105 & Jeremiah 15:15-21), we pursue love, joy, and patience in the midst of our adversaries. Like Jesus, we are to take up our cross and overcome evil with good (Romans 12:9-21). Jesus’ rebuke of Peter reminds us that God’s ways are often counterintuitive to our ways. We follow Jesus by turning from evil and choosing to love God (Matthew 16:21-28).
Jacob suffered wrong and sacrificed much to win Rachel’s hand in marriage (Genesis 29:15-28). Wisdom and fulfillment are often the fruit of patient waiting and righteous pursuits (Psalm 128 and 1 Kings 3:5-12). These things may seem out of grasp, but we can still trust God to fulfill his covenant and bring about his purposes in the end (Psalm 105:1-11 and Romans 8:26-39), even in spite of human oppression and unfulfilled desires (Psalm 119:129-136). Followers of Christ are called to wholeheartedly seek God’s kingdom, wisely pursuing that which will last (Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52).
Jacob experienced a glimpse of God’s glory and a reminder that God keeps his promises (Genesis 28:10-19a). God eradicates all darkness and knows us better than we know ourselves (Psalm 139). Do not fear (Isaiah 44:6-8)! God’s steadfast love offers mercy and favor (Psalm 86). The Holy Spirit bears witness that we are God’s children through Christ (Romans 8:12-25). All creation patiently waits for evil to be defeated at the end of the age (Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43).
Unrestrained appetites can cause God’s people to turn away from the things that are most important (Genesis 25:19-34). Those who are in Christ Jesus have been set free from the law of sin and death and called to walk, not according to the flesh, but according to the desires of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:1-11). God’s Word illumines a righteous path (Psalm 119:105-112) and waters a seed of everlasting hope (Isaiah 55:10-13). We must acknowledge our need for His forgiveness and blessing (Psalm 65:1-13), for a seed planted in fertile soil produces good fruit (Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23).
God raises up those who are humble (Psalm 145:8-14) and surprises his loved ones with companionship (Song of Solomon 2:8-13) and the promise of future blessings (Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67 and Psalm 45:10-17). In the context of God’s care, we struggle to be released from the burdens that we place on ourselves and are prone to do the things that we shouldn’t do (Romans 7:15-25a). In the midst of this struggle, Christ still invites us to serve him in humility. He is the King of Peace (Zechariah 9:9-12), and in his service, we will find rest and strength for the journey (Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30).
Abraham demonstrated complete faith in God’s promises and God provided redemption and life (Genesis 22:1-14). Like the saints who came before us, we may bear pain in our souls and question how long we will have to endure trials, but we will remember God’s faithfulness and confess his steadfast love (Psalm 13 and Psalm 89). Even in exile, God sends a word of peace that he will fulfill in time (Jeremiah 28:5-9). Remember that through Christ we have been freed from sin and we live under grace. Therefore, present your whole life and body to God (Romans 6:12-23) by fleeing from sin and offering hospitality in Christ’s name to others (Matthew 10:40-42).
God cares for those who are treated unjustly. They are offered living water and assurance of God’s grace (Genesis 21:8-21). Call to God in the day of trouble. He rules the world and all nations shall bow before him (Psalm 86:1-10, 16-17). Violence, destruction, and terror may surround God’s people, but evildoers will not prevail (Jeremiah 20:7-13). Cry out to God, and at the acceptable time, he will answer in accord with his steadfast love (Psalm 69:7-18). Those who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into his death. Since he has been raised from the dead death no longer holds authority for those who have been found in him (Romans 6:1b-11). Jesus’ followers need not fear anything, for they are precious to God and freed to follow him, even when it requires sacrifice (Matthew 10: 24-39).
God’s promises are often fulfilled in mysterious and unexpected ways. Like Abraham and Sarah, we walk in faith, patiently waiting on God and trusting in his word (Genesis 18:1-15, 21:1-7). He leads his children out of bondage and makes them his treasured possession (Exodus 19:2-8a). Sing praise to God (Psalm 100) and actively commit yourself to the Lord, acknowledging his good gifts (Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19) and the grace he has provided through Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1-8). The disciples of Jesus are sent to courageously proclaim the good news in the midst of persecution and danger (Matthew 9:35-10:8).