Daily Devotional Podcasts

01_Gen 1:1 In the beginning God Genesis 1:1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The Bible begins with these simple but majestic words: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). This opening line is foundational to our understanding of the world and our place in it. It does not attempt to prove God’s existence. Instead, it declares it as self-evident. God is, and everything begins with Him. His existence and creative power are revealed through His works. Psalm 19:1 reminds us, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.” The story is told of a man whose car broke down on the road. He tried everything he could think of to get it running again but in vain. Finally, another man stopped to help. He made a quick but thorough inspection, adjusted something in the car’s innards, and said, “Try it now.” To the owner’s surprise, the car started immediately. Bewildered, he asked, “How did you fix it so fast?” The man replied, “ I built the car. I know how it works.” The creator knows his creation best. The manufacturer's deep understanding of the car he designed mirrors the far greater knowledge God has of all creation. He is also the ultimate authority over all for this very reason. Everything around us and within us begins with God. He is the source of everything. Just as a car owner turns to the manufacturer to understand or repair his car, we too must turn to our Creator for answers, direction, help, and purpose in life. Creation reveals the fingerprints of the Creator. The intricate design of a leaf, the vastness of the stars, the complexity of the human body—all point to a wise and purposeful Designer. True science teaches humility, and leads us to marvel at God’s wisdom in his beautiful and intentional design. Yet, this creation is only a partial revelation of God. Knowing that we need to know him in order to receive his grace and peace, God has lovingly revealed himself to us in the scriptures, the words recorded by holy men led by the Spirit of God. The Bible tells us not just that God is, but also reveals who He is. Through stories, parables, and teaching, God shows us His character, His purposes, and His desire for a relationship with us. The Scriptures are God’s service manual for life, guiding us into right alignment with our Creator. In these last days, God’s revelation has been made complete in his Son Jesus the Anointed. Hebrews 1:1-2 declares, “God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom He also made the world.” In Him, we see God as he truly is. Through his life, death, and resurrection, Christ reveals God’s incredible love for mankind. In him we understand the great destiny God has for us. He forgives and puts away sin

Let Us make mankind in Our image, according to Our likeness… Gen 1:26 Imagine seeing a crumpled bit of paper on the ground. It would probably be dismissed as trash. But if that piece of paper was a high-value currency note, it would be quickly salvaged, regardless of its dirty appearance. Why? Both are paper, yet the currency note bears the guarantee of the government. This transforms it from a coloured bit of paper to very valuable, whatever its setting. Just so, every human being, regardless of outward circumstances, bears the image of God. This bestows inherent worth, the human dignity and value that no amount of degradation can erase. Genesis 1:27 tells us, "God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them." These words establish a profound truth: every man and woman is equally created in the likeness of God. This equality of origin and of worth transcends gender, race, status, or ability. It is rooted not in what we do but in the image we bear. Genesis 9:6 emphasizes this by declaring the taking of human life to be punishable by death, because man was made in the image of God. What does it mean to be created in the image of God? The writer of Hebrews reflects on this mystery in Hebrews 2:6-7: “What is man that You are mindful of him, or the son of man that You care for him? You made him a little lower than the angels; You crowned him with glory and honor and placed everything under his feet.” Humans are unique from all other creatures. We were created just a little lower than angels. We were crowned with glory and honor, and given dominion over creation. This divine image is evident in our ability to reason, our moral sense of right and wrong, our creativity, and our capacity for relationships—with each other and with God. Yet, sin has alienated us from God and caused us to lose the reflection of His glory in us. Our moral compass is corrupted, our relationships fractured, and our purpose clouded. The image remains, but it is corrupted, like a tarnished mirror that no longer functions as it was intended to. However, the story doesn’t end there. Through the life, death and resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ, God has reconciled us to Himself and given us his Spirit. He is restoring His image in us who have come to Christ. Colossians 3:10 tells us that, in Christ, we have “put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.” Ephesians 4:22-24 urges us to “put off the old self, which is corrupted by deceitful desires, and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” This renewal is a process, a daily transformation occurring as we submit to God’s work in our lives. While humanity has not yet been given dominion over all things that they were created for, yet Jesus has received the crown. Verse 9 declares, “We

03_Strive to enter into His rest Gen 2:1 And so the heavens and the earth were completed, and all their heavenly lights. 2 By the seventh day God completed His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because on it He rested from all His work which God had created and made. In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth, and on the sixth day, He made humanity, forming man and woman in His image. Then, on the seventh day, God rested. This wasn’t because God was weary. The Almighty doesn’t tire. God’s rest was not inactivity. The Father is always at work. Rather, his rest was one of contentment. His work was complete, perfect, and beautiful. In creating humanity on the sixth day, God gave man the unique privilege of entering into His rest without any labour. From the very start, humanity was not created for endless toil. Our destiny is to find fulfillment and peace in God’s completed work. Adam stepped into a world where nothing needed improvement. He didn’t wake up to a list of tasks. There was no garden in need of planting. There was no chaos. He opened his eyes on a world already blessed, sanctified, and whole. Everything was finished; all was "very good." Adam and Eve were invited into this rest—a deep satisfaction and contentment, rooted not in what they had done, but in God’s perfect work. Today, our ideas of rest often fall short. For most of us, rest is escaping work. We go to sleep, take a vacation, or seek entertainment. None of these are inherently wrong. Yet they do not give us real peace. The mind, like a roaring sea, remains restless. The prophet Isaiah described the wicked as being like the restless sea, tossing up refuse and rest. They cannot find calm because they are consumed with striving and self-reliance. Unrest is due to unbelief and rebellion against God’s ways. The Israelites who left Egypt with Moses illustrate this truth. They thought leaving Egypt would bring them rest. Instead, their doubt and disobedience forced them to wander in the wilderness for forty years. After the next generation entered Canaan at last, they assumed this would finally bring peace. Yet, even Canaan couldn’t provide true rest. They constantly longed for things that they did not have. They did not have faith to be content with God’s provision and leading. As someone said, “It was easier for God to take Israel out of Egypt than to take Egypt out of Israel.” Rest is not a matter of circumstances. It’s not about our location. Rest is a condition of the heart. It is born of simple faith and obedience. Remember when the Israelites first stood on the border of Canaan, just a year after their miraculous deliverance from Egypt. They sent out twelve spies to survey the land. Ten returned to discourage the people. They saw only the giants. The challenges looked insurmountable to them. Their words caused

04_The two trees Gen 2:9 Out of the ground the Lord God caused every tree to grow that is pleasing to the sight and good for food; the tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Gen 2: 15-17 Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to cultivate it and tend it. 16 The Lord God commanded the man, saying, “From any tree of the garden you may freely eat; 17 but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for on the day that you eat from it you will certainly die.” There is a story of a young boy who was sailing with his father, the captain of a sailing ship. While he was exploring the ship, he came to the huge sails flapping above his head. Intent on getting closer, he began to climb the mast, unseen by anybody. The higher he climbed, the more exhilarated he felt. He felt like a creature of the air rather than the ground. At the very top, he made the mistake of looking down. Instantly he froze in terror. Then he began screaming for help. The crew crowded around below. They shouted instructions and urged him to climb down. The hubbub only frightened him still more. Then his father arrived on the scene. Calmly, he called up to his son, “Look up and tell me what you see!” The boy obeyed, and through his tear-filled eyes, saw the marvelously blue sky. As he described it, his father continued, “Keep looking up. Now, climb down a step and tell me what you see.” The boy obeyed, looking up and following his father’s steady voice. He descended step by step, until he was standing on the deck again. His father knew that his voice would comfort and encourage his son as nothing else could do. He also knew that by looking above, his son would no longer be fearful of falling. The boy could concentrate on directing his feet as he climbed down. For the son was assured that his father’s voice would never lead him into harm. It would guide him safely through fear and danger. This story mirrors the choice presented to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. God had created them fearfully and wonderfully. He had given them a paradise filled with every good and beautiful tree. Especially significant were two trees: the Tree of Life and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. They were free to eat from any tree, including the Tree of Life, but forbidden access to the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. The reason was also made clear. The day they ate that fruit, they would die. The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil wasn’t inherently evil. God declared that all He created was good. The tree symbolized the desire for autonomy, freedom from dependence on God. It offered the ability to know good and

 05_The two offerings Gen 4:3-5 So it came about in the course of time that Cain brought an offering to the Lord from the fruit of the ground. 4 Abel, on his part also brought an offering, from the firstborn of his flock and from their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering; 5 but for Cain and his offering He had no regard. "And Cain went out from the presence of the Lord." – Genesis 4:16 "Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And why slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous." – I John 3:12 "Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core."– Jude 11 The story of Cain and Abel is one of the earliest in the Bible. It forces us to grapple with the unsettling question: why did God accept Abel's offering but reject Cain's?It explores the heart of the most profound issues that we face as human beings. It uncovers the meaning of worship and faith, and the devastating consequences of sin. The writer of Hebrews reveals, “By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he was attested to be righteous, God testifying about his gifts.” (Hebrews 11:4). The question is, why did the brothers offer different sacrifices? Both Abel and Cain knew and acknowledged God’s being and his right to be worshipped. But Abel’s faith went beyond this. He apparently had something that Cain lacked. This deficit was fundamental to Cain’s rejection. The essence of Abel's offering seems to be twofold. He understood, from his parents’ sad history, the central role of a sacrifice in his relationship with God. He coupled this with faith, and offered an acceptable sacrifice. The essential need for sacrifice is hinted at in the story of how God clothed our first parents with animal skins after they sinned and realized that they were naked. Since death had not yet entered the world, animals must have been sacrificed to provide these skins for Adam and Eve. It is true that these sacrifices were inadequate to allow them to re-enter paradise. Yet they allowed their outer nakedness to be covered. The place of animal sacrifice as a cover for sin was thus established. Abel offered a sacrifice of the firstlings from his flock of sheep. But Cain offered the fruit of his labor from his vegetable garden. Without blood, there is no forgiveness of sins. Secondly, Cain did not do what was good (Gen. 4:6,7; I John 3:12). This implies that he did not have the faith of Abel, for without faith, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). As James writes, “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe—and tremble.” (James 2:19). Cain’s belief was devoid of the obedience and reverence that characterize true faith. Cain's heart was far from God, and his actions reflected that distance. From God’s fatherly words

06_Walking with God Gen 5:21-24 21 When Enoch had lived 65 years, he fathered Methuselah. 22 Enoch walked with God after he fathered Methuselah 300 years and had other sons and daughters. 23 Thus all the days of Enoch were 365 years. 24 Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him. Heb 11:5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. The story of Enoch in Genesis 5:21-24 is a testimony to what it means to walk with God. Among long genealogies of names, years, births, and deaths, Enoch shines like a diamond. His life is different, not just because of its relative brevity, but because he walked with God. Enoch pleased God. Enoch lived in an era that spanned nearly 2,000 years. Generations overlapped and thousands were born. Of all these long-lived patriarchs, only Enoch and Noah are described as those who walked with God. This is no coincidence. It’s a reminder that amidst the routine, mundane existence of millions, God is always on the lookout for those who walk with Him. In a world teeming with spiritual apathy, Enoch’s life challenges us to rise above spiritual lukewarmness and seek God’s company. The average lifespan of Enoch’s contemporaries was an astounding 929 years. Enoch lived only 365 years—a third of their age. Yet it is not how long we live that matters; it is how well we live. Enoch’s brief life left an indelible mark because it was a life that pleased God. What does it mean to walk with God? It signifies oneness of will, and agreement of nature. Amos 3:3 says, “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” Hebrews 11:5-6 emphasizes the foundation of Enoch’s walk with God. Enoch pleased God by his faith, for without faith it is impossible to please God. Faith is described in Hebrews 11:1 as “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Enoch trusted in God’s eternal power and deity from the evidence of the world around him. He walked in faith, believing that God is and that he rewards those who seek him. Enoch recognized and yielded to God’s sovereign authority in faith. He did not wait for God to do what was pleasing to him. He lived for God’s commendation, rather than for possessions, prestige, or power. The fact of Enoch’s walk with God is recorded after the birth of his son, Methuselah. At this pivotal moment in his life, perhaps he gained a deeper understanding of his position and duty towards God. Enoch walked with God for 300 years while living with his family. Walking with God does not require retreating to a monastery or mountain. It is perhaps in the midst of our daily responsibilities that we walk most closely with God.

07_ The Ark of Noah and the Salvation through Christ Gen 6:13-14 And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth. Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch. Gen 6:22 Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he. Heb 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. The story of Noah’s Ark in Scripture has long fascinated its hearers. The account begins in a world that had spiraled into chaos. Genesis tells us that the earth was filled with violence and every thought of humanity was continually evil. God was ready to bring complete judgment upon the race of men who had devastated his earthly creation. The judgment that was coming—the global flood—was unlike anything the world had ever seen until then. However, he first provided a way of righteousness through faith. In His infinite mercy, he told Noah to build the Ark. It was not Noah’s idea or a human invention. The Ark was God’s plan, design and ordinance. Just as God first clothed our sinful parents, Adam and Eve, so he set forth the plan by which those who believed his words could escape the universal judgment. The Ark was built according to God’s precise measurements and pattern. These were not random but purposeful. Even so, every word of God is tried and true. We build on a sure foundation when we hear and obey his word. The Ark was covered inside and out with pitch to make it waterproof. The Hebrew word for pitch is closely related to the word for atonement. As the pitch kept out the waters of judgment that ruined the whole earth, Christ our Lord has made atonement by his blood for those who are in him. There is no condemnation now for those who are in Christ. He is the author and the finisher of our faith, and in him we are secure. Anyone could enter the Ark until the day that it began to rain. Yet only eight escaped the flood because they believed and obeyed God’s call. Noah and his family acted on God’s warning about things not yet seen. They trusted His word over the ridicule of the world around them. Even so, Christ graciously calls all to come to him in repentance and enter freely by their faith into eternal life. Yet only those who believe and obey the call to flee from the wrath to come accept this unmeasurable gift of life in Christ. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Christ reveals God in his fulness so that we may truly worship him, not

08_The two cities Gen 11:1-9 Now the whole earth had one language and the same words. 2 And as people migrated from the east, they found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there. 3 And they said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks, and burn them thoroughly.” And they had brick for stone, and bitumen for mortar. 4 Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth.” 5 And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of man had built. 6 And the Lord said, “Behold, they are one people, and they have all one language, and this is only the beginning of what they will do. And nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them. 7 Come, let us go down and there confuse their language, so that they may not understand one another's speech.” 8 So the Lord dispersed them from there over the face of all the earth, and they left off building the city. 9 Therefore its name was called Babel, because there the Lord confused the language of all the earth. And from there the Lord dispersed them over the face of all the earth. On April 15, 1912, the Titanic, a ship hailed as unsinkable, a marvel of human engineering, sank on its maiden voyage, disappearing into the icy waters of the North Atlantic Ocean. Designed to showcase human mastery, it went down, taking with it over 1,500 lives. This catastrophic event serves as a sobering reminder of the limitations of human effort, even at its peak. Genesis 11:1–9 gives us a far earlier illustration of the sheer scale at which God’s power surpasses the greatest efforts of mankind. In the land of Shinar, a man named Nimrod, described in the Bible as “a mighty hunter before the Lord,” established a kingdom that included Babel. His name in Hebrew suggests rebellion, and the Jewish historian Josephus portrays him as a man defying God’s authority. Josephus writes that Nimrod vowed revenge against God for the flood, planning to build a tower so high that it would withstand any divine act. Though the Bible doesn’t confirm these specific intentions, the narrative in Genesis reveals a striking parallel—a people united in seeking godlike greatness without God. As mankind spread out after the flood, a group journeyed eastward, settling on a plain in Shinar. Their decision to work together and build a city with a high tower that would reach the heavens seems admirable. It might even appear to be an example of collaboration and progress. But a careful reading shows that the tower was motivated by their rebellion. They did not want to be scattered, but to make themselves a name and an identity. They desired to find their own security in their unity. They hoped to take pride and find fame in their achievement. Instead of spreading across the earth and

09_Let there be no strife between us. Gen 13: 3-11 And he went on his journeys from the Negev as far as Bethel, to the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Ai, 4 to the place of the altar which he had made there previously; and there Abram called on the name of the Lord. 5 Now Lot, who went with Abram, also had flocks, herds, and tents. 6 And the land could not support both of them while living together, for their possessions were so great that they were not able to remain together. 7 And there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock. Now the Canaanites and the Perizzites were living in the land at that time. 8 So Abram said to Lot, “Please let there be no strife between you and me, nor between my herdsmen and your herdsmen, for we are relatives! 9 Is the entire land not before you? Please separate from me; if you choose the left, then I will go to the right; or if you choose the right, then I will go to the left.” 10 Lot raised his eyes and saw all the vicinity of the Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere—this was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah—like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt going toward Zoar. 11 So Lot chose for himself all the vicinity of the Jordan, and Lot journeyed eastward. So they separated from each other. Jim Elliott, the martyred American missionary who gave his life in 1956 while evangelizing among the Auca Indians in the jungles of Ecuador, penned these famous words: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” These words resonate deeply when we consider how to navigate conflicts and disputes in a way that honors God. Conflicts arise whether we want them or not. They occur in families, workplaces, and even within the church. Genesis 13 records a quarrel between the herdsmen of Abraham and Lot over pasture land for their flocks. Both men had prospered and needed more space for their livestock. Abraham, the senior and the heir to the promised land, had every right to claim the best land and dictate terms. Yet his response was marked by humility, grace, and faith in God. When disputes arise, our reactions reveal much about our hearts. Abraham’s response to this conflict shows his anxiety to please God and keep love in his relationship with Lot. First, Abraham recognized an essential truth: they were brothers. He reminded Lot, “We are close relatives; let’s not quarrel.” For Abraham, their relationship was more valuable than his personal rights. How much more are believers united in Christ! We are called to live in peace and love with one another, according to the unity of the one Spirit that we all share. The Apostle Paul wrote, “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3). Peace is not merely the absence of conflict

10_Who is our reward? Gen 14:18-24 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (He was priest of God Most High.) 19 And he blessed him and said, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; 20 and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!” And Abram gave him a tenth of everything. 21 And the king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the persons, but take the goods for yourself.” 22 But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have lifted my hand to the Lord, God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth, 23 that I would not take a thread or a sandal strap or anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’ 24 I will take nothing but what the young men have eaten, and the share of the men who went with me. Let Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre take their share.” Samuel Morrison served God in Africa at the turn of the 19th century. He was returning to the United States after 25 years of service on the same ship as President Teddy Roosevelt, returning after a brief hunting trip in Africa. When the ship docked in New York, Roosevelt was thronged with admirers bearing banners, with cheers, and much fanfare. He was given top security and a smooth passage through the docks, with a fleet of vehicles ready to whisk him away. In stark contrast, Morrison disembarked unnoticed, to head home alone, carrying his own luggage. Frustrated, he told God, “Lord, the President comes home from a few weeks on safari and is received with such honor. What about me? I’ve dedicated my entire life to your work, but nobody recognizes me!” These words came to his mind, “My son, you haven’t come home yet.” Morrison was both relieved and ashamed. Indeed, he had forgotten that his true home was still ahead, where he would receive an abundant welcome and an eternal reward. His thoughts became clear when he held an eternal perspective. Genesis 14:18-24 records a similar difference in viewpoint. The chapter records the first war in Scripture. In the lush Jordan Valley, four kings allied against a coalition of five. The latter, including the king of Sodom, had rebelled against their overlord, who marched against them with his allies and defeated them. He carried off all their people as captives and slaves, including Lot, Abraham’s nephew, who lived in Sodom. Hearing the news, Abraham sprang into action, marching with his 318 trained household servants on a rescue mission. Abraham could have sat still and done nothing. He could have reasoned that Lot had chosen his own path when he moved into the wicked city of Sodom. He could have convinced himself that it would be too dangerous and indeed futile to fight against this powerful alliance. He could have pleaded helplessness. Instead of resentment, self-righteousness, or fear, Abraham burned with zeal to rescue his brother. He held no grudges but trusted God to look after his welfare. “God has not given us the

 11_Abraham our Father in faith Gen 15:5, 6 5 And he brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” 6 And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness. Heb 11: 8-12 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. 11 By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore. Faith is one of the most profound concepts in the Bible. Faith is the foundation upon which our relationship with God is built. Hebrews 11, often referred to as the "Hall of Faith," highlights numerous Old Testament heroes who demonstrated this crucial quality. From Abel to the prophets, each name is a testament to the essence and essentiality of faith. Interestingly, among these, Abraham and Sarah are given an extended mention spanning 11 verses, illustrating the depth of their faith and the lessons it holds for us. Genesis 15 records a crucial moment in Abraham’s life, shortly after his victory over an alliance of four kings. Abraham had risked his life to rescue his nephew Lot who had been taken captive with the people of four kingdoms. Though he succeeded in recovering all the people and the possessions from the enemy, Abraham refused to take anything by way of reward from the godless king of Sodom. By doing so, he showed his unwillingness to be indebted to anyone but the God who had called him. This left him with no tangible gains and, perhaps, powerful enemies among the kings he had defeated, and the king of Sodom whose friendship he had just turned down. In this moment of vulnerability, God appeared to Abraham with a profound promise: "Fear not, Abram: I am your shield and your exceedingly great reward." These words underline the greatest truth on earth. Our security does not come from earthly possessions, alliances, or strength, but from the presence of God Himself. To have God as our shield is to have a defense greater than any army. God is a reward beyond the greatest treasure on earth. However, even as Abraham gladly received this assurance, his heart remained burdened. He had no heir to inherit the promises God had given him. In response, God called him out to view the night sky blazing with innumerable stars. There he reiterated His promise.

12_Add to your faith perseverance Gen 16:1-3 Now Sarai, Abram's wife, had borne him no children. She had a female Egyptian servant whose name was Hagar. 2 And Sarai said to Abram, “Behold now, the Lord has prevented me from bearing children. Go in to my servant; it may be that I shall obtain children by her.” And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai. 3 So, after Abram had lived ten years in the land of Canaan, Sarai, Abram's wife, took Hagar the Egyptian, her servant, and gave her to Abram her husband as a wife. Heb 10:36 You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. The Bible’s honesty about the lives of its characters, with their triumphs and failures, is unmatched. It does not sugarcoat failure, rather laying bare the struggles, mistakes, and lessons of those who came before us. This authenticity is paired with God’s high standards for life and godliness. Thus, the scriptures reflect the very character of God, whose foundation is truth. Truth is not just a moral ideal but the essence of God Himself and the bedrock of love. In Genesis 16:1–5, we witness faith, perseverance, and the dangers of taking matters into our own hands. Abram and Sarai were given an extraordinary promise: their offspring would become a great nation. Abram received this promise at the age of 75, a testament to its miraculous nature. Ten years passed with no sign of a child. The delay tested their faith, and they faltered. Sarai suggested that Abraham go in to Hagar, her maidservant, thus giving Sarai a surrogate child through her. This was culturally acceptable in those times, and seemed a practical thing to do in view of her advanced age. Yet, failure to seek God’s perspective resulted in a bad decision that led to tension, jealousy, and lasting consequences. The truth is that God does not need our help to fulfill His promises. His plans are perfect, and His timing is impeccable. The promises of God are not limited by human capacity or lifespan. They are established in eternity, and their fulfillment is certain, though often beyond our understanding. We must resist the urge to interpret or twist God’s words to fit our limited perspective. Abram and Sarai’s choice reflected a momentary lapse in faith. Yet it was God’s ultimate plan that prevailed. The child of promise was to come through Sarai. In so doing, God affirmed the sanctity of monogamous marriage. Just as importantly, he emphasized the importance of faith in his ability to do exactly what he had promised. We often experience perplexing and painful delays. However, they are never arbitrary. Joseph went from being a favored son to a slave and prisoner through what seemed like a series of misfortunes. Yet each step was divinely planned for his preparation as one who would be in the right place and well equipped to save life. As a slave in the household of Potiphar, captain of the king’s guard, Joseph learned stewardship and leadership while being part of the

13_A covenant-making God Gen 17:7 I will confirm my covenant as a perpetual covenant between me and you. It will extend to your descendants after you throughout their generations. I will be your God and the God of your descendants after you. It had been 24 years since Abram left Ur of the Chaldeans at God’s call. He had stepped out in faith on a journey to an unknown destination. God had promised him descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky. Thirteen years had passed since the birth of Ishmael, the son of Abram through the Egyptian slave Hagar, his wife Sarai’s maidservant. That shared decision, born out of human reasoning and desperation, fomented strife and jealousy in the household. The passage of time and their bodily experience of aging pushed the fulfilment of the promise into the realm of impossibility. Abram and Sarai were at a point of complete helplessness. And then, God appeared to Abram. This wasn’t his first encounter with God. The God of glory had appeared to Abram in Mesopotamia and commanded him to leave. He had seen visions of God in moments of worship and sacrifice. But this time was different. God appeared to him, revealing Himself personally by a significant name that Abram had never heard before: El Shaddai—God Almighty. This name was a declaration of God’s infinite power, His sufficiency, and His ability to fulfill His promises. To a man who felt powerless, God’s message was clear: “I am the Almighty. Nothing is too hard for Me.” In a season of waiting, facing apparently impossible circumstances, let us remember El Shaddai, God Almighty. God began with a breathtaking declaration: "As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you, and you shall be the father of a multitude of nations. No longer shall your name be Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I will make you the father of a multitude of nations" (Genesis 17:4-5). God’s covenant with Abram was a binding agreement that rested entirely on His faithfulness. Abram’s ability played no part in it, but his faith in God was essential. The repeated words “I will” echoed the divine commitment. God was not offering possibilities; He was making promises. His promises were unchangeable, unbreakable, and irrevocable. His covenant was a display of sovereign grace. It demonstrated for all time that God’s plans and salvation do not depend on or require human strength or effort. Abram’s name was changed. No longer was he the “exalted father”, Abram, but Abraham, “father of a multitude.” This was a prophetic change, declaring God’s purpose through him. Abram was now nearly 100 years old. He had fathered only one son, that too by a woman other than his wife. It needed immense faith to carry the name "father of a multitude". Yet he believed God. He trusted that what seemed impossible to him was entirely possible for the Almighty. The covenant of God gave rich promises to Abraham and his people: Posterity: God promised that Abraham’s descendants would be as numerous as the stars in the sky. Moreover, the covenant would be established

14_Service - the soul of hospitality Gen 18:1-5 And the Lord appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day. 2 He lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing in front of him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth 3 and said, “O Lord, if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by your servant. 4 Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree, 5 while I bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on—since you have come to your servant.” So they said, “Do as you have said.” Abraham was 99 years old when he showed hospitality to angels unawares. This remarkable episode is recorded in Genesis 18:1-5. Abraham at this time was a wealthy man with vast possessions and flocks. He was the head of a household that included at least 318 trained servants. With all this, Abraham remained humble and ready to serve. What stands out in this story is not his wealth or influence. It is his heart—a heart that joyfully embraced the opportunity to serve strangers in need. This underlines the fact that advanced age, high status, or comfortable circumstances need not exclude humility or the most menial service. In the hot desert, it would have been customary to seek shade at noon. Abraham, sitting at the entrance of his tent, could have easily stayed there. But when he noticed three men approaching, he didn’t hesitate or deliberate. Instead, he ran eagerly to meet them. Think about this for a moment: a 99-year-old man, running in the midday heat to greet strangers! Abraham didn’t wait hopefully to see if they would bypass him; he sought the opportunity to serve them. His immediate response demonstrated his readiness to serve. Abraham’s actions embody a principle that echoes throughout Scripture: true hospitality comes from a swift recognition of need and a willingness to meet it. Abraham did not know the men. They appeared to be ordinary travelers. He didn’t need an introduction or an agenda to extend kindness. He simply recognized their need for rest and refreshment and responded. Hospitality, in its truest form, isn’t about giving a good time to those we know and like. It’s about meeting the needs of strangers. Hebrews 13:2 reminds us: “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing so some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.” For Abraham, hospitality was not an occasional impulse but a way of life. This was a characteristic not only of Abraham but also of his nephew Lot. Even while living in the wicked city of Sodom, Lot insisted on sheltering the two visitors who arrived at his city gate. He knew well what dangers they would face in the streets. For both men, service was instinctive. It wasn’t a way to impress or win the liking of

 15_Power of Intercession Gen 18:16-19 When the men got up to leave, they looked out over Sodom. (Now Abraham was walking with them to see them on their way.) 17 Then the Lord said, “Should I hide from Abraham what I am about to do? 18 After all, Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and all the nations on the earth may receive blessing through him. 19 I have chosen him so that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just. Then the Lord will give to Abraham what he promised him.” The power of intercession pervades Scripture. It offers a window into the heart of God, and our need to partner with Him in His purposes. When we pray, it is not just to present our needs. It is to ask for mercy and grace for others who, like us, do not deserve it. Genesis 18:16-19 shows Abraham engaging in an extraordinary dialogue with God. It showcases the power of intercession and how it can transform the one who prays as well as those prayed for. Prayer is listening to and speaking with God. The first time the word “pray” is recorded in scripture, in Genesis 20, is in the context of intercession. There, God tells Abimelech to return Sarah to Abraham, declaring that Abraham was a prophet and would pray for him. Thus, from the beginning, prayer is shown to transcend self-interest. It embraces the needs of others. The same characteristic is seen in Abraham's plea for Sodom and Gomorrah. These wicked cities cried out for judgment. And Abraham did not seek to turn aside God’s justice. He sought mercy to those who feared God, by sparing the cities in which they dwelt. Genesis 18 testifies to the character of God. Though the Lord says that He was on His way to confirm the grievous sin of Sodom and Gomorrah and to execute judgment, He acknowledges that he cannot help sharing His plans with Abraham. Truly, the secret of the Lord is with those who fear him. Amos 3:7 echoes this sentiment, stating, "Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants the prophets." Do we know what it is to have the mind of Christ? Are our hearts so subject to his word that he is completely at home in our hearts? For then we abide with him and he with us. Abraham's response to the revelation of judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah is striking. One might expect that he would instantly agree because of the moral depravity of these cities. But instead he pleads for mercy. He is always aware that his kinsman Lot dwells in Sodom, having departed from him. He is not self-righteous or disdainful towards him. Instead, he is moved by love for Lot to hope that righteousness might yet be found in the city. Humility and love mark the true intercessor rather than judgment and wrath. It is easy to criticize those who faltered in their choices, as

16_A righteous man in the wrong place. 2Pet 2:6-10 “Later, God condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah and turned them into heaps of ashes. He made them an example of what will happen to ungodly people. 7 But God also rescued Lot out of Sodom because he was a righteous man who was sick of the shameful immorality of the wicked people around him. 8 Yes, Lot was a righteous man who was tormented in his soul by the wickedness he saw and heard day after day. 9 So you see, the Lord knows how to rescue godly people from their trials, even while keeping the wicked under punishment until the day of final judgment. 10 He is especially hard on those who follow their own twisted sexual desire, and who despise authority.” Some North African tribes have an ingenious method of catching monkeys. They place peanuts in a container with a narrow opening, after tying it to a tree. When a monkey approaches, lured by the scent of the peanuts, it reaches in for a handful. But now its hand is too large to pull out of the jar. The monkey will not let go. It keeps trying in vain to take its precious handful of nuts out, until it is captured by the trapper. The monkey’s foolishness led it to trade its freedom and life for a handful of peanuts! Sadly, people often make the same foolish choice. Genesis 19 and 2 Peter 2:6–10 reveal the story of a man who pursued fleeting earthly gains and, in doing so, lost far more precious things. Lot’s life cautions us to examine the nature of our heart’s treasure, which determines our choices. Lot, the nephew of Abraham, started his journey with Abraham, the man of promise. He left Ur and followed Abraham into Canaan, trusting in God’s call. When conflict arose between their herdsmen, Abraham generously allowed Lot to choose his land first. Lot lifted his eyes and chose the fertile plains near Sodom, a city notorious for its wickedness. This pivotal decision shaped his future. Over time, he didn’t just camp near Sodom; he moved inside its walls. Yet he remained a righteous man, as Peter says. He feared God and did not give in to the depravity of his neighbours. It seems astonishing that Lot would be called a righteous man, after he made such a disastrous choice. Even as the angels of God urged him to flee, he lingered. Finally, the angels had to pull him out of the city. Neither did his godliness impact his family, unlike Noah’s godly fear. Noah saved his household through the dreadful flood. But Lot’s wife perished as a child of disobedience. His daughters escaped the burning of the city with him. Yet their cynical ungodliness reveals that they were not people of faith. The suitors for his daughters openly mocked him. Why then this label? The answer lies in the difference between God’s perception of righteousness vs our own. God declares those people to be righteous who live by faith. His way is that of faith in his faithfulness.

17_Faith drives out fear Ps 56:3 When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. 1 John 4:18 Perfect love casts out fear Ps 34:4 I sought the Lord and he heard me and delivered me from all my fears. On January 22, 1999, an Australian missionary to India, named Graham Staines, was brutally murdered with his two young sons, Philip and Timothy. Devoted to serving destitute leprosy patients in Orissa, they were burned alive in mistaken religious fanaticism. In the face of such profound loss, Staines' widow, Gladys, stood before the charred remains of her loved ones and sang unshaken faith: "Because He lives, I can face tomorrow, Because He lives, all fear is gone; Because I know He holds the future, And life is worth the living, Just because He lives!" Her faith in the depths of grief gave her courage to move ahead in the Lord’s will for her. She stood in shining contrast to the fear and failure that result from human frailty. Faith and fear are incompatible. This is the central theme of Genesis 20, which highlights the cost of fear and magnifies the faithfulness of God to his faltering people. Scripture calls Abraham a friend of God and the father of all those who believe. Yet it also records his stumbles through fear. Genesis 20 tells us that during his migration into Gerar, he pleaded with his beautiful wife Sarah to pass herself off as his sister and not his wife. He feared that the men of Gerar might lay violent hands on him to carry away Sarah for their king because of her magnificent loveliness. Abraham forgot God and his righteousness because of his fear. He fell into lying and selfishness. He did not believe that God could protect them all. Instead, he bartered his wife’s safety and honor for the sake of his own survival. Just as he feared, Sarah was taken into the harem of Abimelech, the king of Gerar. Yet before anything more could happen, God intervened. He warned Abimelech of the truth and of the serious consequences if he violated Sarah. He also revealed his impartiality, telling the king, “I knew that you did this in the integrity of your heart; therefore I kept you from doing evil.” Truly there is no respect of persons with God, as the scriptures repeat no less than six times. All those who seek righteousness in his ways are called and accepted by him into the grace of Jesus Christ. Confronted with the truth, Abimelech immediately restores Sarah and rebukes Abraham for his deception. The irony is that Abraham, chosen by God to inherit great promises, succumbs to fear, while Abimelech, a pagan and an outsider to God’s covenant, acts with integrity. Yet God does not mock or shame Abraham before Abimelech. This is not because he is partial, for he has recorded Abraham’s failure for all generations to come. Rather, he stands by Abraham to underline his own faithfulness and to reveal the truth of righteousness before him. Through the riches of God’s grace, God honored his covenant, not because of,

18_Children of the promise Gal 4:21-30 21 Tell me, you who want to be under the law, are you not aware of what the law says? 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman. 23 His son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, but his son by the free woman was born as the result of a divine promise. 24 These things are being taken figuratively: The women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children who are to be slaves: This is Hagar. 25 Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother. 27 For it is written: “Be glad, barren woman, you who never bore a child; shout for joy and cry aloud, you who were never in labor; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband.” 28 Now you, brothers and sisters, like Isaac, are children of promise. 29 At that time the son born according to the flesh persecuted the son born by the power of the Spirit. It is the same now. 30 But what does Scripture say? “Get rid of the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman’s son.” 31 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman. During the American Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring freedom for slaves in the Southern states. Many slave owners exploited the illiteracy of their slaves by not letting them know. Though the rumours spread far and wide, legally emancipated slaves continued to be in bondage. This continued until the government officially announced in their hearing that they had been set free. This mirrors the spiritual condition of many today. Though Christ’s gospel proclaims freedom to the enslaved sinner through union with him, people continue to be bound in sin. Ignorance, unbelief, and misplaced priorities often keep the sinner bound, keeping us from the liberty for which Christ has set us free. The story of Abraham, Ishmael, and Isaac in Genesis 21, paired with Paul’s reflection in Galatians 4:21-31, provides a profound picture of this struggle. It is the struggle between the flesh and the Spirit, between human self-salvation effort and divine promise. Ishmael, born of human effort and impatience, represents the life of the flesh. He represents Abraham’s doubt, his fleshly energy to get himself an heir, and his self-reliant strategy to use the slave woman to accomplish his objective. Isaac, the child of promise, embodies the life of the Spirit. Abraham did nothing but cooperate with God who gave Sarah the power to conceive at last. Trusting and dependent wholly on God, Abraham received the miraculous son of promise. These two sons, born in two distinct sets of circumstances, symbolize

19_Marks of true obedience Gen 22:1-14 After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 2 He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” 3 So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac. And he cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. 4 On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place from afar. 5 Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you.” 6 And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. And he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So they went both of them together. 7 And Isaac said to his father Abraham, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” He said, “Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” 8 Abraham said, “God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” So they went both of them together. 9 When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10 Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son. 11 But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 12 He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” 13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 So Abraham called the name of that place, “The Lord will provide”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.” A diamond remains one of the most brilliant and durable gems in the world. However, it begins its journey as an unassuming piece of coal. Under immense pressure, heat, and time, it transforms into the precious stone we admire. Trials and pressures refine and strengthen our faith. Peter writes in 1 Peter 1:6-7: “In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by

0020 Portrait of a faithful servant 20_Portrait of a faithful servant Gen 24:1-9 Now Abraham was old, advanced in age; and the Lord had blessed Abraham in every way. 2 Abraham said to his servant, the oldest of his household who was in charge of all that he owned, “Please place your hand under my thigh, 3 and I will make you swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and the God of earth, that you shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I live; 4 but you will go to my country and to my relatives, and take a wife for my son Isaac.” 5 The servant said to him, “Perhaps the woman may not be willing to follow me to this land. Must I then take your son back to the land from which you came?” 6 Abraham said to him, “See to it that you do not take my son back there. 7 The Lord, the God of heaven, who took me from my father's house and from the land of my kindred, and who spoke to me and swore to me, ‘To your offspring I will give this land,’ he will send his angel before you, and you shall take a wife for my son from there. 8 But if the woman is not willing to follow you, then you will be free from this oath of mine; only you must not take my son back there.” 9 So the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master and swore to him concerning this matter. Jim Elliott was a young man when he, with his companions, attempted to reach out to the hostile Auca Indians in the jungle of Ecuador. Moved by distrust and fear, the Aucas massacred them all. Jim’s young wife Elizabeth was left alone. She passed through her own crucible of faith. With the weight of her loss pressing on her, and a 10-month-old baby to care for, she took time to ask the Lord what she should do. Amazingly, she felt led to continue the task that Jim had begun. She returned to the jungle and efforts continued to reach out to the Aucas. With her child, she eventually lived among them. Many of them came to know and trust God, including those who struck Jim down out of fear. Today, the Aucas live in the light of the gospel, a testimony to God’s forgiveness and power to transform, but also her faithfulness. Faithfulness is a hallmark of servanthood. Genesis 24 presents a vivid portrait of a true servant, the unnamed steward of Abraham. This picture is against the context of a journey to find a wife for Abraham’s son Isaac. When Sarah passed away at 127, Abraham mourned deeply for his wife. Their bond, strengthened over nearly a century, had been filled with God’s promises, trials, and victories. Yet, as a man who trusted God’s purposes, Abraham rose from his grief to continue in the Lord’s will. His first act was to secure a burial place for Sarah,

21_Selling your birthright Gen 25:27-34 When the boys grew up, Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field, while Jacob was a quiet man, dwelling in tents. 28 Isaac loved Esau because he ate of his game, but Rebekah loved Jacob. 29 Once when Jacob was cooking stew, Esau came in from the field, and he was exhausted. 30 And Esau said to Jacob, “Let me eat some of that red stew, for I am exhausted!” (Therefore his name was called Edom.) 31 Jacob said, “Sell me your birthright now.” 32 Esau said, “I am about to die; of what use is a birthright to me?” 33 Jacob said, “Swear to me now.” So he swore to him and sold his birthright to Jacob. 34 Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew, and he ate and drank and rose and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright. Heb 12: 15-17 See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; 16 that there be no sexually immoral or godless person like Esau, who sold his own birthright for a single meal. 17 For you know that even afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought for it with tears. Into a bustling marketplace a man came, hardened by years of reckless living. He hoped for a few coins from the sale of the dusty old violin he held under his arm. Once cherished by his father, it had long since been neglected. Its strings were loose, its body dusty. Nobody was interested in buying it from him. Just then a passerby walked by. He examined the violin, and agreed to buy it. The man hurried away, glad to have got a little money in exchange for the useless old thing. The new owner dusted it off and began to tune its strings. Soon, splendid music filled the air, drawing a crowd. Suddenly, the violin was recognized for the rare treasure it had always been. Like the man with the violin, Esau failed to recognize the value of what he possessed. His birthright as Isaac’s eldest son symbolized a double share of the inheritance. As Isaac was the heir of God’s covenant and promise to Abraham, this was no small gain. Yet Esau considered it a paltry thing and exchanged it for a bellyfull of food. Isaac was born to Abraham and Sarah as the fulfilment of promise. His life was a testament to God’s faithfulness. This legacy was carried forward when he married Rebekah. They endured 20 years of childlessness. Then the Lord answered Isaac’s prayer for his wife and she conceived twins. These boys, Esau and Jacob, were indeed privileged. Abraham, their grandfather, was alive and with them for 15 years after their birth. He was a man who walked by faith and knew to the full the value of God's promises. Esau, the firstborn, had every opportunity to grasp the depth of his

22_Pandering to the flesh Gen 26: 1-5 Now there was a famine in the land, besides the former famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went to Gerar to Abimelech king of the Philistines. 2 And the Lord appeared to him and said, “Do not go down to Egypt; dwell in the land of which I shall tell you. 3 Sojourn in this land, and I will be with you and will bless you, for to you and to your offspring I will give all these lands, and I will establish the oath that I swore to Abraham your father. 4 I will multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and will give to your offspring all these lands. And in your offspring all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, 5 because Abraham obeyed my voice and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.” President Abraham Lincoln once remarked, “True discipline is choosing between what we want now and what we need most.” These words resonate through the life of Isaac, Abraham’s son. Isaac was a man who lived in the shadow of an extraordinary father, and had an extraordinary son, Jacob. His life teaches us the cost of indulging the desires of the flesh even while living in the light of God’s covenant. Isaac’s life began in fulfilment of a miraculous promise. He was the son born to Abraham and Sarah in their old age. He was a child of laughter and fulfillment after 25 years of waiting on God’s promise. As the beloved son of a man who walked with God, Isaac grew up hearing stories of God’s grace, and of faith, obedience, and the divine covenant. His father’s life experiences became Isaac’s treasury. He could never have forgotten the day when he was at Mount Moriah. It was a time of both terror and trust. Isaac was no longer a baby or a young child. He must have willingly allowed himself to be bound and placed on the altar. He, as well as Abraham, demonstrated his faith in God through his obedient submission to his father. This deep reverence for God led Jacob, Isaac’s son, to later refer to Him as “the fear of Isaac.” As Isaac matured, he demonstrated a heart inclined toward God. After his mother Sarah passed away, we see him walking in the fields, meditating. When Rebekah was brought to him as a bride, it marked the end of his mourning and the beginning of a new chapter. He prayed earnestly for Rebekah through 20 years of barrenness, showing faith in the same God who had miraculously given Sarah a son in her old age. His prayer was answered with the birth of twins, Esau and Jacob. Isaac was also a peacemaker. When in Philistine country, the inhabitants disputed his right to the well that his servants had dug. He chose not to quarrel and instead, he moved away and dug another well. He did this four times, until finally they let him be. He named this well Rehoboth, declaring, “For now the Lord

23_Pursuing the right thing the wrong way Gen 27:5-10 5 Now Rebekah was listening when Isaac spoke to his son Esau. So when Esau went to the field to hunt for game and bring it, 6 Rebekah said to her son Jacob, “I heard your father speak to your brother Esau, 7 ‘Bring me game and prepare for me delicious food, that I may eat it and bless you before the Lord before I die.’ 8 Now therefore, my son, obey my voice as I command you. 9 Go to the flock and bring me two good young goats, so that I may prepare from them delicious food for your father, such as he loves. 10 And you shall bring it to your father to eat, so that he may bless you before he dies.” A traveler walking through difficult terrain found a shortcut that promised to save him time and effort. Overjoyed at this discovery, he eagerly took the path. Halfway through, he realized that the shortcut was riddled with hidden dangers and obstacles. Instead of saving time, the path cost him far more in time, effort, and resources than the longer, safer route. This story illustrates a profound truth: pursuing the right thing the wrong way takes us nowhere. Jacob's life, particularly in the events of Genesis 27:1–5, underscores this truth with startling clarity. Jacob likely grew up hearing from Abraham, Isaac and Rebekah about the promises of God to their household. The blessing of being chosen by God, inheriting the promised land, and being a blessing to all nations was no small matter. Jacob’s father, Isaac, was the son of promise, born miraculously to Abraham and Sarah in their old age. Jacob understood that the blessing was something to be greatly desired. However, as the younger of twin sons, Jacob was not in line for the birthright. Esau, Jacob’s twin, was a man of the field. He spent most of his time outdoors, and was probably robust, and full of vitality. His father, Isaac, loved him for the savory meat he hunted and brought to him. Esau’s personality appears to be warm, open, and generous, making him naturally appealing. However, Esau did not think much of God. He undervalued the blessings of God. This flippant attitude is reflected in his decisions. He married Canaanite women, disregarding the covenant heritage. He bartered his birthright to Jacob for a mere bowl of stew, willing to lose eternal blessings to satisfy his immediate appetite. Esau regretted losing both his birthright and his father’s blessing but failed to take responsibility for the choices that led up to this loss. Instead, he put all the blame on Jacob. He never understood that his casual indifference to God had cost him the lasting blessing of God. Jacob, in contrast, felt the value of God’s promises. He believed they were worth possessing. But his faith was not strong enough to teach him to pray and wait on God for his blessing. Impatience often leads to disastrous outcomes. Jacob and his mother Rebekah must have known and remembered God’s promise that the elder would serve

24_Being known by God Gen 28:10-17 Jacob left Beersheba and went toward Haran. 11 And he came to a certain place and stayed there that night, because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones of the place, he put it under his head and lay down in that place to sleep. 12 And he dreamed, and behold, there was a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven. And behold, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it! 13 And behold, the Lord stood above it and said, “I am the Lord, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac. The land on which you lie I will give to you and to your offspring. 14 Your offspring shall be like the dust of the earth, and you shall spread abroad to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south, and in you and your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed. 15 Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” 16 Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it.” 17 And he was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.” Let us look at a passionate gardener who knows every plant in his garden. He has nurtured each one day by day. Every plant has received careful tending and the right balance of sun, water, and soil to bring it into fullest bloom. Now, contrast this with a visitor to the garden. The visitor marvels at the beauty, takes pictures, and perhaps even comments on the fragrance of the flowers. Yet, the interaction is short-lived. It lacks a real understanding of the care, effort, and connection with the plants that resulted in the vibrant garden. The gardener represents a true relationship, attained by invested effort. The visitor represents a passing acquaintance. Are we part of the garden of God, where he is the gardener? Or are we just visitors to his garden? The Lord revealed that he was the true vine into which we were to be grafted and in whom we were to live. His Father was the gardener, tending and pruning us. Rather than shallow familiarity, he wants us to recognize his deep and personal care for us. Knowing about him, and even knowing about his work, is not at all the same thing as knowing him. It’s possible to learn facts about Him, yet miss the wonder of His presence. When God knows and acknowledges us, as Paul says, it transforms our lives. Jacob’s story in Genesis 28:10-17 shows us the first steps in Jacob’s experience of this knowing. Jacob grew up in a wealthy family. He was surrounded by stories of God’s promises to his grandfather

25_Providing for my own household Gen 30:25-30 As soon as Rachel had borne Joseph, Jacob said to Laban, “Send me away, that I may go to my own home and country. 26 Give me my wives and my children for whom I have served you, that I may go, for you know the service that I have given you.” 27 But Laban said to him, “If I have found favor in your sight, I have learned by divination that the Lord has blessed me because of you. 28 Name your wages, and I will give it.” 29 Jacob said to him, “You yourself know how I have served you, and how your livestock has fared with me. 30 For you had little before I came, and it has increased abundantly, and the Lord has blessed you wherever I turned. But now when shall I provide for my own household also?” A young family from the south settled in the north where they worked. Soon after their first baby was born, they traveled home to celebrate the holidays. The days were filled with joy, catching up, and togetherness. On the day they left, the entire family gathered at the small railway station to bid them farewell. The train arrived. They parted with hugs and goodbyes and rushed to get on board with all their bags, laden with gifts, delicacies, and fruits. It was only when the whistle blew and the train was about to move that they realized they had forgotten the most important thing: their baby, still at the station with their relatives. This story illustrates how easy it is to forget what matters most. We can become so engrossed in the busyness of life that we overlook the only things that really matter - the things of eternal importance. In Genesis 30:25-30, Jacob asks a question that echoes through the centuries: “But now, when shall I provide for my own household also?” This question is not merely about material provision; it is a call to examine our priorities and refocus on what truly matters. Jacob’s story unfolds far from home, in Padan-Aram, 600 kilometers from his family in Canaan. Fourteen long years had passed since he fled his home after deceiving his brother Esau. During this time, Jacob worked tirelessly for his father-in-law, Laban, to win the hand of both Leah and Rachel. He had first served seven years for Rachel, but Laban deceived him by substituting his elder daughter Leah for Rachel at the time of the wedding. Unwilling to give up Rachel, Jacob agreed to serve another seven years for her. Jacob’s own deception of his father Isaac seemed to echo back to him through Laban’s schemes. It was a poignant reminder of the principle, “Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Galatians 6:7). Despite the hardships and the trickery he endured, Jacob remained steadfast. He didn’t discard Leah, though their union was not his choice, nor did he abandon his responsibilities. Instead, he did what was right. Thus, without overt religiosity, his actions demonstrated that he feared God. Indeed, God demonstrated his wisdom, bringing

26_Following God’s guidance Gen 31:1-3 Now Jacob heard the words of Laban’s sons, saying, “Jacob has taken away all that was our father’s, and from what belonged to our father he has made all this wealth.” 2 And Jacob saw the attitude of Laban, and behold, it was not friendly toward him as it had been before. 3 Then the Lord said to Jacob, “Return to the land of your fathers and to your relatives, and I will be with you.” In a small coastal town, there was a lighthouse keeper whose responsibility it was to keep the light shining. This light was essential to guide sailors safely to shore. One stormy night, an exhausted sailor fought to keep his boat off the rocks. He knew he was somewhere near the harbour. But he could see nothing in the wind and darkness. In desperation, he prayed for help. What was his joy when he saw a steady beam of light piercing the torrential rain and thick darkness ahead of him! Now he knew where he was and what he had to do. With newfound hope, he followed the golden glow of the lighthouse lamp and reached the harbor safely. Like that lighthouse, the people of God are chosen to be the light of the world. We are called to reflect the light of God's holiness into the turbulent world around. Genesis 30 continues the story of Jacob, a man like us. Despite trials and uncertainties, he heeded God’s call and experienced His faithfulness. Jacob’s life in Padan-Aram with his uncle Laban was marked by hard labor and constant attempts to cheat him out of his wages. But it was above all marked by divine blessing. It served as a season of discipline and refining. Though he endured the consequences of his deceitful actions, he also experienced God’s grace in abundance. Over two decades, Jacob endured grueling work as he cared for Laban’s flocks. He described it, saying, “By day the heat consumed me, and the frost by night, and my sleep fled from my eyes.” However, these 20 years saw Jacob’s marriage to Leah and Rachel. He fathered eleven children, and accumulated considerable wealth in livestock through the blessing of God. However, this roused the envy of Laban’s sons. They accused Jacob of gaining riches at their father’s expense. The animosity turned Jacob’s thoughts towards leaving Padanaram for his homeland. In this tense and hostile environment, God spoke again. God clearly instructed him to return, and reaffirmed that he would be with him. Jacob now knew from experience that God was not the God of Canaan or of Bethel only, but the God of the whole earth. Further confirmation of this direction came from the ready agreement of his wives with his plan, even though it meant leaving the place of their nativity for ever. Jacob prepared to leave, obedient to the command. Following God’s guidance often means making uncomfortable decisions despite our fears. Jacob’s journey was not without challenges. Leaving Padan-Aram required immense courage. He faced fears that resonate with many of us in similar situations. There was the

 27_Wrestling with God Gen 32:24-32 So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. 25 When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. 26 Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.” But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” 27 The man asked him, “What is your name?” “Jacob,” he answered. 28 Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.” 29 Jacob said, “Please tell me your name.” But he replied, “Why do you ask my name?” Then he blessed him there. 30 So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared.” 31 The sun rose above him as he passed Peniel, and he was limping because of his hip. 32 Therefore to this day the Israelites do not eat the tendon attached to the socket of the hip, because the socket of Jacob’s hip was touched near the tendon. Hos 12:3,4 In the womb he took his brother by the heel, And in his mature strength he contended with God. 4 Yes, he wrestled with the angel and prevailed; He wept and implored His favor. Corrie ten Boom was a Dutch Christian who sheltered Jews during Hitler’s reign of terror. Betrayed, she and her sister endured the horrors of Nazi concentration camp life during World War II. Despite numerous trials and miseries, they shared the good news of Christ with others in the camps. Many found God’s forgiveness and love in that setting of horror. After her release, she traveled the world, sharing her testimony of God’s grace and forgiveness. At one meeting, as she stood to receive people after her message, she recognized the man in front of her as a particularly brutal guard in one of the camps. This man had even beaten up her frail sister Betsie for not being able to work as hard as the others. Betsie died just before Corrie was released. Now the ex-guard smiled as he joyfully repeated what she had just spoken about - that God’s love could overcome any sin, no matter how great. But as he held his hand out for her to shake, her heart was in a wild tumult of anger, pain, and bitterness. How dare he smile at her after doing such evil? How could she forgive such a man? In that moment of inner turmoil, she clung to just one thought. She promised God that she would hold out her hand even though she felt only hatred for him. God would have to do the rest. As she took his hand, the miracle happened. She was filled to overflowing with love and forgiveness for her former enemy. She experienced the power of Christ to forgive his enemies in that moment. This striking story reminds us of what it means

28_Picture of a carnal Christian Gen 33:1-3 Then Jacob raised his eyes and looked, and behold, Esau was coming, and four hundred men with him. So he divided the children among Leah and Rachel, and the two slave women. 2 He put the slave women and their children in front, and Leah and her children next, and Rachel and Joseph last. 3 But he himself passed on ahead of them and bowed down to the ground seven times until he came near to his brother. Heb 12 1 Therefore, since we also have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let’s rid ourselves of every obstacle and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking only at Jesus, the originator, and perfecter of the faith, who for the joy set before He endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Imagine a garden hose lying in a mass of tangled loops. It is designed to carry water and nourish plants. Yet it lies dry and ineffective. Its purpose is clear. Yet, without being untangled, it is useless and cannot fulfill its potential use. Every believer who lives in the flesh, entangled in worldly pursuits, does not fulfill God’s purpose. The potential for spiritual growth is there, but it is choked by self-reliance and distractions. Only with the removal of the “kinks” can the living water of God flow freely through such people. Only then can they experience and share his life and be fruitful. Jacob often provides a vivid picture of a carnal believer, even though he was a man of faith. Genesis 33 demonstrates one of the struggles between his faith and his flesh. in this chapter. This man had just wrestled with the angel of the Lord. In his helplessness, after the angel disabled him, he clung to him until his supplication for blessing was granted. He came face to face with his weakness, but he also saw God face to face. Crippled, he could no longer flee nor fight. He was weaker than ever before, just as he was about to meet Esau - a confrontation he had dreaded for years. Now Jacob could rely only on God for protection. Yet, transformation is not instant, but a lifelong journey. Despite the Lord’s blessing and despite his new name of Israel, Jacob quickly reverted to old patterns of fear and self-reliance. He still schemed to protect himself and his family, dividing his household into groups so that if one was attacked, the others might escape. God had promised to be with him. He had proven his faithfulness in protecting him from Laban. But Jacob’s faith faltered. Instead of resting in God’s promises, he clung to his human strategies. This tension between faith and fear mirrors the struggles many Christians face today. Many times we, like Jacob, forget God’s past faithfulness when faced with a new crisis. The God who delivered us before is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Yet, when challenges arise,

 29_The price of broken vows Gen 33:18-34:2 Now Jacob came safely to the city of Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan, when he came from Paddan-Aram, and camped before the city. 19 He bought the plot of land where he had pitched his tent from the hand of the sons of Hamor, Shechem’s father, for a hundred pieces of money. 20 Then he erected there an altar and called it El-Elohe-Israel. Now Dinah the daughter of Leah, whom she had borne to Jacob, went out to visit the daughters of the land. 2 When Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, the prince of the land, saw her, he took her and lay with her and raped her. In the days of king Ahab, there was a severe famine in Israel that lasted three and a half years. During this time, God spoke to the prophet Elijah, saying, “Go from here and turn eastward and hide yourself by the brook Kerith, east of the Jordan. You shall drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there.” Imagine if Elijah had ignored God’s command. The ravens would still have brought bread and meat, morning and evening, but there would have been no one by the brook to receive the provision. This example highlights an important truth: God’s blessings require our obedience to his express instruction. He will not compromise with other places and paths that He has not commanded, for his plans are eternally fine-tuned to the moment and the place. When we stray from His will, we risk forfeiting the blessings He has prepared for us. Jacob’s story tells us so. This was a man who, despite experiencing God’s faithfulness, chose to deviate from the path God had marked for him—and the consequences were devastating. Jacob had finally returned to Canaan, the land of promise, after years of hardship and separation. He had vowed to God that he would return to Bethel, the place where he first encountered God in a dream, and worship Him there. Bethel represented Jacob’s spiritual homecoming—a place of gratitude, fulfillment and renewed commitment. But instead of continuing to Bethel, Jacob settled near the city of Shechem, in Canaan. He purchased land, pitched his tent, and even built an altar there. Outwardly, this may have seemed like a pious act, but it was rooted in disobedience and a lack of trust. Jacob chose convenience and comfort over obedience to God’s call. His justification for buying land might have sounded reasonable—after all, wasn’t it for the purpose of worshiping God? But this rationalization could not erase the underlying disobedience. Jacob’s forefathers had wandered as pilgrims in the land without buying property, building altars on land they did not own. Jacob’s decision was a compromise, one that opened the door to unforeseen consequences. The consequences of Jacob’s compromise began to unfold with his daughter Dinah. Dinah, curious about the culture of the people around her, ventured out to visit the women of the land. This seemingly innocent act exposed her to danger. She was taken and violated by Shechem, the

 30_Coming back to God Gen 35:1-4 Then God said to Jacob, “Arise, go up to Bethel and live there, and make an altar there to God, who appeared to you when you fled from your brother Esau.” 2 So Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, “Remove the foreign gods which are among you, and purify yourselves and change your garments; 3 and let’s arise and go up to Bethel, and I will make an altar there to God, who answered me on the day of my distress and has been with me wherever I have gone.” 4 So they gave Jacob all the foreign gods which they had and the rings which were in their ears, and Jacob hid them under the oak which was near Shechem. In a small village nestled in the Swiss Alps, a centuries-old church stands as the heart of the community. Within this church stood a famous pipe organ, its tones so enchanting that people from far and wide would come to hear it. But as years passed, the organ began to falter. Its rich melodies gave way to jarring notes. Nobody knew how to repair it. The organ was deemed beyond restoration. Frustration slowly turned into resignation. One day, an old man visited the village. Entering the church, he looked around for the organ. Noticing that it was no longer in use, he asked, “Why don’t you play the organ anymore?” “It has broken down, it cannot be repaired any longer,” came the reply. “Let me try,” the man said confidently. For the next two months, he worked over it in silence. He had many tools and materials brought in. His days were spent in delicately adjusting and repairing the organ. When he finally announced that it was ready, the church was filled with music even more beautiful than they remembered. The astonished crowd asked how he had achieved this. With a gentle smile, the man replied, “Fifty years ago, this organ was designed and crafted in my workshop. I know it in and out, and I’ve now restored it.” This story reflects our relationship with God. He is our Creator, the one who knows us down to our smallest details. When our lives fall into disrepair—when sin, regret, or sorrow creates discord—only God can restore us fully. Genesis 35:1-4 tells such a story, as God calls Jacob back to Himself. Jacob’s life up to this point had been a rollercoaster of highs and lows. Known for his cunning, Jacob relied on deceit and self-reliance to get ahead. Within a few years of living near Shechem, his family was marked by tragedy and chaos. His daughter Dinah was violated by the prince of the city, and his sons retaliated by a massacre and sack of the town. Jacob feared greatly that this act of revenge had put himself and his family in grave danger from neighboring tribes. He found himself at an impasse, overwhelmed by the consequences of his choices and inaction. It was at this low point that God spoke to Jacob. He was to complete

31_A dysfunctional family Gen 37:Jacob lived in the land of his father's sojournings, in the land of Canaan. 2 These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was pasturing the flock with his brothers. He was a boy with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father's wives. And Joseph brought a bad report of them to their father. 3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his sons, because he was the son of his old age. And he made him a robe of many colors. 4 But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peacefully to him. 23 So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe, the robe of many colors that he wore. 24 And they took him and threw him into a pit. The pit was empty; there was no water in it. 25 Then they sat down to eat. And looking up they saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead, with their camels bearing gum, balm, and myrrh, on their way to carry it down to Egypt. 26 Then Judah said to his brothers, “What profit is it if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? 27 Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him, for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And his brothers listened to him. 28 Then Midianite traders passed by. And they drew Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. They took Joseph to Egypt. Gen 42:21 Then they said to one another, “Truly we are guilty concerning our brother, because we saw the distress of his soul when he pleaded with us, yet we would not listen; for that reason, this distress has happened to us.” In the heart of a quiet forest, a tribal chief named Seattle once stood before settlers who sought to buy the land his people had cherished for centuries. His words echoed with wisdom: "How can you buy or sell the sky, the earth? This idea is strange to us. If we do not own the purity of the air or the sparkle of the water, how can you buy them?" This is the right way to view our enjoyment of God’s free gifts. The Creator gives rain and sun and air and earth to the righteous and the wicked alike. Yet, human beings often manipulate the right to enjoy these blessings. They use them to buy or show favor and fuel selfish ambition, and to divide people into classes and sects. This tendency doesn’t just corrupt our societies. It can reach deep into the innermost spaces of our lives—our families. Jacob’s family was no exception. His deep love for Joseph, the first son born to his beloved wife Rachel, became the root of division and despair. It led to jealousy among Joseph’s brothers and to tragedy. To be fair, the seeds of dysfunction had been sown