One Year Bible - January 21

1/21/2021
Post Written by
Daniel Kennedy | The Overwhelming Love of God

‍Scriptures to read:
Luke 16; Genesis 27:46-28:22; Psalm 21

‍
Jacob is born making a selfish power grab (literally grabbing the heel of his brother, Esau). And then he deceptively tricks his father, Isaac, into giving him Esau's blessing - who trades it for a bowl of stew. Yet in spite of Jacob's selfish behavior & his own human frailty, God still earnestly desires to bless him, as we see during Jacob's dream in Genesis 28:13-17:

"And behold, the Lord stood above [the ladder] 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 your offspring. Your offspring shall be the like the dust of the earth...'" (v 13-14)"

God's persistent desire to bless Jacob is so humbling for me, because I so often feel like I have to do everything on my own, too - indeed, that everything rests on my shoulders, and unless I remain constantly productive, the world will collapse around me. I spend far too much time thinking about the future and how to optimize it, and not nearly enough time in direct relationship with God, letting the Holy Spirit speak & transform my heart.

Yet God doesn't abandon Jacob. Instead, every time Jacob tries to do it himself, God doubles down, finally wrestling him into submission. How incredible is our eternal, all-powerful, and all-knowing Creator, who cares about us so much, that He would trouble himself with our human foibles, time and time again? Let us worship our Lord & Savior, who in spite of every crazy thing we do, continues to love us & only wants the best for us.


Memory Verse: Be exalted in your strength, LORD; we will sing and praise your might. - Psalm 21:13

Prayer: Lord, thank you for loving us so much, when we really don't deserve it. We give praise to you for your overwhelming and unconditional love, which you showed us once & for all by sending your son, Jesus, to die for us on a cross - the ultimate act of humility & love. Thank you, Lord, for loving us in spite of ourselves, our sin, & our selfishness.