WEEK 6, DAY 3 OF CHOOSING GOD INSTEAD OF THE WORLD, A LOVE GOD GREATLY STUDY

Scripture Reading: Genesis 49:1-28; Psalm 139:1-6 and 16 (SOAP – Psalm 139:16)

Your eyes saw me when I was inside the womb.
All the days ordained for me
were recorded in your scroll
before one of them came into existence.  Psalm 139:16  NLT

OBSERVATION:

Today’s Focus Passage:

I love knowing that God is all-knowing (omniscient), all-present (omnipresent), and all-powerful (omnipotent). While we might find ourselves wishing He didn’t see and know every thought, word, deed, or – thing left undone, especially those things that we know He would be less than pleased with – the Bible makes it very clear – nothing escapes Him! He knows when we sit down and get up. He knows our motives and is aware of every word, or as David says, “thoroughly aware”. While the reality of this may be a bit daunting at times, God’s all-knowing power is a blessing beyond our comprehension. It serves as both conviction and warning, but is equally a source of encouragement to know that He has seen us and known us since before we were born. He knows everything about us, everyday of our lives from beginning to end. This is the encouragement we need to live, as Joseph did, dependent on God instead of self or the world. There is something freeing about placing my trust in the One who knows everything and everything about me.

THE GENESIS SAGA:

As Jacob nears the end of his life he calls his sons together to share what he knows about the days ahead of them. His words are both a revelation of how their choices have affected their future and confirmation of which of the twelve will receive his greatest blessing. I think what I love most about the words he spoke to and about Joseph is that they were full of encouragement. Jacob had lived 147 years and was able to assure Joseph that he would succeed because his God, the God of his father, the Powerful One, the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel, would help him. The Sovereign God would richly bless him. The blessings he would know would be greater than any tangible or desirable thing he could hope for.

Other Notable Observations:

• Joseph’s line, through his sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, would multiply greatly

APPLICATION: HOW THEN SHOULD WE LIVE?

Clearly from David’s words in Psalm 139 and the example we have seen in Jacob and Joseph through this journey – we should live dependent on God – the Powerful One, the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel, the Sovereign God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph. We would be wise to live as James taught – not as those who say, today I will do this or that – but If the Lord is willing, then we will live and do this or that ^{James 4:14-15} As we have seen and said many times along the way, we should live by FAITH not by sight – faith not just in Jesus but in God’s omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent power.

Prayer: Response to God’s Word.

Father, You have already plotted the course of my life, You know the beginning from the end. I praise You for this knowledge – it is comfort and peace and strength, as well as – much needed conviction. Help me to live in dependence on You, walking by faith and not by sight, and fully surrendered to Your all-knowing, all-wise, all powerful, and present will. To Your honor and eternal glory – Amen!

YOUR TURN:PERSONAL REFLECTIONS

• What is your reaction to hearing that God knew all of your days before one of them came to be?

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