"I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen." (Luther's Morning Prayer)
Saturday, January 13, 2024 - Day 13 (Through the Bible in a year readings for today: Genesis 31,32; Matt. 10:24-42)
THINGS EVEN OUT
“You know that I have served your father with all my strength, yet your father has cheated me and changed my wages ten times. But God did not permit him to harm me. If he said, ‘The spotted shall be your wages,’ then all the flock bore spotted; and if he said, ‘The striped shall be your wages,’ then all the flock bore striped. Thus God has taken away the livestock of your father and given them to me.” (Genesis 31:6-9 ESV)
Yesterday the devious nature of Laban, Jacob’s father-in-law was highlighted. In today’s reading we see the old adage proven true: What goes around, come around.
Laban seems to be like many people today. He is concerned with “good old number one.” He valued his wealth highly. In dealing with Jacob, he tried to make sure that he came out better than his son-in-law. But God had other ideas. He provided for Jacob and his family in rather spectacular ways. And Jacob became a wealthy man.
While God may not have earthy wealth in mind for you, He does plan for you to be spiritually rich. The devil, the world, and even our flesh may war against us, but God is still on our side with His gifts of forgiveness and reconciliation. One can be as poor as a church mouse and still be as rich as Croesus, spiritually speaking.
Because God has made us His own and guarantees to be with us now and forever, we get to live for Him instead of ourselves. And in living for Him, we get to be His love to others. Now isn’t that something you would like to have come back around to you?
Thank You, dear God, for granting me forgiveness and reconciliation. May this gracious treasure move me to be Your love to others around me. Amen.
Pastor David Paape
Daily Bible Reading Chart covering the entire Bible in one year.
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