| Date | Version | Reading Plan |
|---|---|---|
| February 19, 2025 | ESV (2016) | OT/NT Plan 2025 – 2027 |
Observation
Application
Genesis 50
Joseph’s brothers thought that with their father, Israel, now passed, Joseph would retaliate for all that they had done to him. The brothers claimed that Israel had given a command for Joseph to forgive and spare them, but Joseph told them not to fear, stating by rhetorical question that he was not in the place of God. Joseph recognized that it was God’s plan all along to redeem the evil done to bring about that many people should be kept alive as they certainly were.
So easily we can look on hardship as being without purpose. In the midst of suffering and pain, we become focused on the present and simply want it to end. We forget that our gracious and sovereign God is fully capable and—for His children—does indeed use such things to usher in an greater work. The saints are not think that they are to be spared the trials of this fallen world, but instead are to have an eternal perspective of the unfolding, overarching redemptive plan.
Luke 6
In Jesus’ instruction to love our enemies, we realize both that we are to respond to mistreatment with Christlike love but also the difficulty in its execution. It is far easier to reserve our love for others who love us and to do good for those who do good to us. While we are certainly not to withhold love in such cases, we are called to so much more. Our sonship of Christ and adoption into His kingdom is defined by how we treat others and expect nothing in return. Because everything we need is in Christ, we are freed from the bondage of placing our ultimate value in anything else.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, You are the sovereign Lord over all things. How great is Your faithful to complete every good work You begin. Thank you, Lord, for gathering me to Yourself and giving me eyes to see the treasure that is You.