Day 7
Genesis 14:1-16:16; Matthew 5:43-6:24; Psalm 6:1-10
Our story continues with Abraham (or Abram as he still is at this point). One thing that we didn’t mention yesterday was the fact that Abraham set up an altar to the Lord almost everywhere he stops, his devotion to God is that great, and that deep that he wants to worship everywhere he stops, so he sets himself a little church to do business with God.
Back to today, just as an aside, take notice of one of the names from today. Melchizedek (v18), a pries of the most high. This is one of the names that the letter of the Hebrews links with Jesus as high priest. Part of the joy of reading the whole Bible in a year is that we get the bigger picture, it can be useful to try and remember when you first met these names.
Then there us Abraham’s rather dubious domestic arrangements with a child by his wife’s maid. This is also the setup for one of the huge Old Testament stories with Ishmael, Isaac and the families that follow. Also important today is Abraham’s relationship with the King at Sodom and Gomorrah. We know something of the story that will follow with these towns and for some reason Abraham decides that he does not want to be in debt to this king.
We also see something of God’s nature in this passage, The heading for chapter 15 is “God’s covenant with Abram” and that is the God we believe in. A God who makes promises and keeps them. The promises that he makes with Abram - “I am your shield” is one that reigns true for us too. First week back at school, could be a bit of a hassle and a challenge, and yet we know that God is our shield. Just rest in that promise right now if you need it.
The Psalms are often overlooked but offer us some absolutely amazing poetry. Turn to verses 6 and 7. Have you ever felt this rubbish, well just as the Lord heard the psalmist so he hears you. As we journey through the Psalms you will probably find a lot of stuff that you can really identify with, when the psalmist have been through the lowest of times. So embrace the Psalms, you might find yourself in there, and more importantly you’ll find God too.
Our story continues with Abraham (or Abram as he still is at this point). One thing that we didn’t mention yesterday was the fact that Abraham set up an altar to the Lord almost everywhere he stops, his devotion to God is that great, and that deep that he wants to worship everywhere he stops, so he sets himself a little church to do business with God.
Back to today, just as an aside, take notice of one of the names from today. Melchizedek (v18), a pries of the most high. This is one of the names that the letter of the Hebrews links with Jesus as high priest. Part of the joy of reading the whole Bible in a year is that we get the bigger picture, it can be useful to try and remember when you first met these names.
Then there us Abraham’s rather dubious domestic arrangements with a child by his wife’s maid. This is also the setup for one of the huge Old Testament stories with Ishmael, Isaac and the families that follow. Also important today is Abraham’s relationship with the King at Sodom and Gomorrah. We know something of the story that will follow with these towns and for some reason Abraham decides that he does not want to be in debt to this king.
We also see something of God’s nature in this passage, The heading for chapter 15 is “God’s covenant with Abram” and that is the God we believe in. A God who makes promises and keeps them. The promises that he makes with Abram - “I am your shield” is one that reigns true for us too. First week back at school, could be a bit of a hassle and a challenge, and yet we know that God is our shield. Just rest in that promise right now if you need it.
The Psalms are often overlooked but offer us some absolutely amazing poetry. Turn to verses 6 and 7. Have you ever felt this rubbish, well just as the Lord heard the psalmist so he hears you. As we journey through the Psalms you will probably find a lot of stuff that you can really identify with, when the psalmist have been through the lowest of times. So embrace the Psalms, you might find yourself in there, and more importantly you’ll find God too.
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