Through the Bible in one year - Day 34

•           Psalms 33:9

For he spoke, and it came to be;

he commanded, and it stood firm.

•           Genesis 29:31-35

Today we read of Leah’s children – all four sons and in each, she is glad – but hopes that through them, she will be loved, until finally, she praises the Lord for the gift of the fourth son – and no longer hopes to get love through this child. I don’t know about you, but I can only feel sorrow for this poor women hoping time and again to have the love of her husband. Since she keeps hoping for this same thing we can infer that in each case Jacob continues to love Rachel more than Leah – and so we continue reading.

•           Genesis 30:1-43

And the sad story of these two sisters continues with each vying for first place in her husband’s affection by using whatever means they can to provide sons for Jacob. And as all this is going on Laban and Jacob continue to strive against one another while speaking sweetly to each other’s faces. If there are lessons here – it may very well be how not to behave. And yet, we see glimpses...Jacob asks Rachel – “Am I God?” and each women prays and thanks the Lord for his grace, and even Laban knows that Jacob has been a means of grace and blessing to his own household; yes there are glimpses of the Holy in their lives. Do we, do you think have glimpses that we disregard or overlook for our own purposes? Do we forget or strive without taking into account what the Lord has asked of us? Probably we do. So, I say it is good for us to see ourselves through the lens of their actions, and perhaps we can amend our own actions and bring them in line with the Lord’s purposes.

•           2 Chronicles 7:14

if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

•           Luke 23:40-43

"Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong." And he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." And he said to him, "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise."

Today’s readings: Psalm 33, Genesis 29:31-30:43, 2 Chronicles 7, Luke 23:26-56