Day 16 Bible Readings – Genesis 32: 24-25 (ESV)

Genesis 32 & 33, Matthew 12: 22-45, Psalm 12

Genesis 32: 24-25 (ESV)

“And Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day. When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he touched his hip socket, and Jacob's hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him.”

I love verses 24 and 25 from Genesis 32. God appeared to Jacob as a man and wrestled with him. Many Bible commentaries on this verse have said that God wrestled with Jacob to take his self-reliance and his scheming. I have never had the physical experience of wrestling with God, but I think sometimes God does wrestle with me in my mind when he wants me to behave better. And like Jacob I fight with God. I hate being told what to do and I know that God is often trying to get me to give up my self-reliance. I don’t scheme like Jacob, but I constantly have doubts about my faith. I know when God does win my life turns out so much better. I am improving, but the wrestling with God still goes on, and thankfully they are now short and God always wins.

Day 15 Bible Readings – Matthew 12: 11-12 (ESV)

Genesis 31, Matthew 12: 1-21, Psalm 11

Matthew 12: 11-12 (ESV)

“He said to them, “Which one of you who has a sheep, if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not take hold of it and lift it out? Of how much more value is a man than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.”

Verses 11 and 12 from Matthew is a lesson from Jesus on putting rules first before compassion. The religious leaders in the synagogue asked Jesus if it was lawful to heal on the Sabbath, and Jesus countered by asking them if they would not help their own sheep if an accident happened on the Sabbath. Jesus knew the answer would be “yes”, so he told them that the people who worship with them are more valuable than the sheep and it was not wrong to heal during the Sabbath. I see this sometimes with myself where I don’t want to break rules to help someone out. In cases like this I know now the best thing I can do is pray to God for advice and listen for his words. If you are unsure of which direction you need to go when it comes to breaking your own rules and/or private codes, pray to God for help and he will answer you.

Day 14 Bible Readings – Matthew 11: 28-30 (ESV)

Genesis 29 & 30, Matthew 11, Psalm 10: 12-18

Matthew 11: 28-30 (ESV)

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

In verses 28 through 30 from Matthew 11, we read about Jesus inviting us to come to him and become his followers. We will learn from Jesus and find rest for our souls. Then Jesus says his “yoke is easy” and his burden is light. Jesus tells us that his yoke is easy and his burden is light because he will bear the burden with us. It doesn’t mean that being a follower of Jesus will be easy, but Jesus will bear it with us and we can rely on him to care for us as a shepherd cares for his sheep. I think that the best part of being a follower of Jesus is the rest for our souls that he promises. Whenever I’ve had burdens in my life, Jesus was always there to comfort me. In midst of sometimes great pain and sadness, I felt that Jesus was holding me in the palm of his hand so I wouldn’t fall apart. I felt safe and protected, and able to bear my troubles and sorrow because they had been made lighter by Jesus.

Day 13 Bible Readings – Matthew 10: 34-36 (ESV)

Genesis 27 & 28, Matthew 10: 32-42, Psalm 10: 1-11

Matthew 10: 34-36 (ESV)

“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person's enemies will be those of his own household.”

Verses 34 through 36 from Matthew 10 shows Jesus talking about what it means to be his follower. If a person makes a commitment to follow Christ, they may find that they will come into conflict with their parents, other relatives, and even their friends. Loved ones and friends may not understand a believer’s commitment to Christ and may try to sabotage the relationship with God. I think that is why Jesus told his disciples he did come to earth to bring, but to bring a sword. Faith in Christ may cause division, and Jesus wanted to forewarn his followers of what was to come. Faith may become like a sword that cuts through the relationships that families have with each other, especially I think when it comes to following God’s laws. The “sword of faith in Jesus Christ” is even more relevant today when people who follow Christ and Biblical principles are mocked and ridiculed in movies and in mainstream media. But the rewards that come from being a believer in Christ are so great, that a Christ follower must stand their ground and not be ashamed to have a committed relationship to Jesus Christ. If we are faithful to Christ and Biblical laws, we are guaranteed to have a miracle filled life from now and into eternity.