So happy you’ve decided to visit daily devos! This is where short reads are added for today’s hungry, and often harried souls! Breeze through quickly if your time is limited. Saunter with solace if you are leisurely browsing. Whether you have only a few minutes or time to linger, be sure to reflect on the thought-provoking questions and challenges included to encourage your spiritual awareness and growth.
But Jacob did not send Benjamin, Joseph’s brother, with the others, because he was afraid that harm might come to him. Genesis 42:4 NIV
Like Jacob feared for the safety of his son Benjamin, as parents we can be fearful and actually hold our children back. So let us learn to hear the voice of our Father and follow His plans even as we watch over those He has entrusted to our care. #faith #warrior #words #fear #Bible #believers #Jesus
A friend once told me: ‘Follow the peace.’ I have often remembered that and found it to be helpful advice. Yet even the best advice must be measured to the truth of God’s Word. Here’s what I found when measuring that word:
For God is not a God of disorder but of peace … 1 Corinthians 14:33 NIV
And Jesus said:
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27 NIV
So what is the conclusion of the matter? Yes, ‘Follow the peace,’ is good advice.
Then Jacob prayed, “O God … I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness you have shown your servant. I had only my staff when I crossed this Jordan, but now I have become two camps. Save me, I pray, from the hand of my brother Esau, for I am afraid he will come and attack me, and also the mothers with their children. “ Genesis 32:9-11 NIV
When we are afraid, let us, like Jacob, pray for God’s intervention.
But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you. 1 Thessalonians 3:6 NIV 1984
Paul and Silas enjoyed the people of the church in Thessalonica. They must have shared a bond of community and connection that ran deep. But for whatever reason, they were unable to do life together. Timothy visited and returned with news about their faith and love – which encouraged Paul and Silas. What news might be shared about our faith and love?
In great fear and distress Jacob divided the people who were with him into two groups, and the flocks and herds and camels as well. Genesis 32:7 NIV
Fear can lead to division
He told us of a recent epiphany he experienced – ‘The lesser of two evils is still evil.’ For such a young man, we were awed by his insight. Then I later read these wise words and wanted to share so that together we may heed this wise instruction:
but test all things, hold fast to what is good, keep away from every kind of evil. 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 TLV
