Welcome again to this Bible study tool. I am finding this commitment to study God's Word extremely beneficial to me. If others (you) find it helpful too, then praise God! Please always encourage others around you to be disciplined in studying the Word of God. There is life in the Scriptures! Now, to our study.
Read Psalm 30
Quote from Luther: "The 30th psalm is a psalm of thanks in which the psalmist gives thanks that God has redeemed him from the high spiritual afflictions of the devil, which are sadness, depression, terror, despair, doubt, the perils of death, and similar poisonous, fiery darts of the devil. Nevertheless, the psalmist knows he has the comfort that God is only angry for a blink of an eye and neither desires nor wills our death or distress but desires rather to see us live and be joyful." Reading the Psalms with Luther, CPH.
Read Genesis 33
Jacob finally meets Esau, the one he has tricked out of the birthright and the blessing. But amazingly, we see maturity and growth in Esau as well as in Jacob. The two are reconciled. This story brings me great hope as I see siblings or parents or spouses engaged in conflict. God is able to heal those wounds. In this case, he healed the wound of Jacob and Esau by providing abundantly for them so that they were exceedingly content with what they had. Also, he made Jacob repentant so that he desired to pay back Esau with the generous gift.
It is said that "time heals all wounds." However, time can also make them fester and grow worse. No. What is able to heal all wounds is the grace of God. His forgiveness, and his strength.
Then we see Jacob settle in front of the city of Shechem. So far the promised people have owned nothing in the Promised Land except a tomb. Now Jacob buys some land, not for a grave, but for living and dwelling. He names the place in honor of the Lord. The place of the name, "God, the God of Israel," will stand as a reminder to his descendants exactly who it is who blesses them, provides for their needs of body and soul, and shepherds them each day.
How interesting it would be if our houses, subdivisions, and cities were named in honor of the Lord's provision. What a reminder! But even if they are not named in this way, I hope we can always remember that it is the Lord who has been with us, who has blessed us and given us all we have, and promises to protect and provide for us throughout this life. Yes, the God of Israel is my God, and his Anointed Christ shall bring me into my Promised Land.
Ask Yourself:
How can I rely on God's grace more as I seek to mend broken relationships?
How can I remind myself to pray for those in conflict, that God would soften their hearts to repent, forgive, love, and be reconciled?
Do I thank God everyday, recognizing that all I have is from his hand?
Pray:
Pray from your heart today. Pray for the relationships in your life that are strained. Pray that God would help you to forgive. Pray that God would soften the hearts of others that they would forgive you. Pray for those you care about who are suffering from the hurt of another. Pray that God's grace would heal all wounds. Then thank God that he is providing.
Study with me tomorrow,
Pastor Jon
Soli Deo Gloria!
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