Exodus 4 - 6

Making bricks without straw.
We have all felt this. Maybe not as extreme as being slaves to cruel masters who demand the same work be done with less time and less resources. Then again, parts of  that do sound pretty familiar. The fact is there are times in life that when it rains it pours. What do we do in times like this? I'm pretty sure we all at some point get to vs. 22 of chapter 5. We hold up our hands and beg God to tell us why? Moses doesn't see why God even sent him, he doesn't see this going anywhere. A bad situation is getting worse, and he's ready to quit.

What's the answer?

God reminds Moses who he is dealing with. This is the almighty God who established a covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He provided above and beyond with them and He promises to do the same with the Israelites now.

This same God who heard the cries of the Jews in bondage thousands of years ago is the same God today that sees and hears us. We have abundantly more of God revealed to us. His track record in unmatched, absolutely untouchable.  So when we don't understand and we have to ask why; let's stop and listen. Let God give you an answer like he does here in ch. 6. Look back at his love and provision for His own. It has never wavered, and it never will.

Exodus 1-3

by Paul Ice

Coincidence or Providence?

Three things from today’s passage that struck me.

1. Exodus 1 and 2 gives us the story of Moses.  From the very beginning God worked in special ways to preserve Moses’ life.  Even when Moses blew it and had to flee the country, God used that event in his life to bring about His purpose.  The interesting part is that God tells us he has a plan for each of us from the beginning.  When we get older we also can look back and see the story that God was working in our lives.

2. Since we have learned so much about Egypt in the last 100 years through archeology, it is fascinating to read these accounts in Exodus.  “They built for Pharaoh store cities, Pithom and Raamses . . . So they ruthlessly made the people of Israel work as slaves and made their lives bitter with hard service, in mortar and brick, and in all kinds of work in the field. In all their work they ruthlessly made them work as slaves.“  I wonder how much of what we know about Egypt today was built by God’s people.  And “Raamses,” that rings a bell doesn’t it.

3. And chapter 3: Don’t you sometimes wish God would just speak out loud his plan for you.  This way we would know exactly what he wants, and we would follow him no matter what.  Well, read chapter 3 and see Moses’ reaction.  I’m sure we would probably react the same way.  It has always been a matter of faith.

Genesis 48-50

by Adam Johnson


But Joseph said to them, "Do not be afraid, for am I in God's place?

-Genesis 50:19


Joseph had endured many wrongs and hardships throughout his life beginning with his brothers selling him into slavery. His statement to the brothers who cruelly wronged him was filled with forgiveness and compassion, but more importantly, a recognition of God's control in every aspect of his life.

He understood that God was the Just Judge who would recompense according to the unrighteous deeds of his brothers. Joseph understood from his circumstances that God was totally fair and just in using wrongs to advance and protect the house of Jacob. This faith can only come from a heart that is intimate with His God.

I read today's verses and realized I want this faith -- in every trial, promotion, wrong, etc. to know my God rules and reigns for my good and His glory in every detail (Romans 8:28). That New Testament verse is often misquoted or cliched, but the peace that comes from knowing your God has control in every minute detail should drive us to know and love Him more.

Genesis 46-47

by Rebekah Johnson

"I am God, the God of your father. Do not be afraid..."

- Genesis 46:3

He is God.

He claims to be God.

Jacob was afraid to leave Canaan. He was afraid of the unknown. God in His graciousness was sending him this gentle reminder that all is well, and He is in control. There is no need for fear.

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a
sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV

Genesis 43-45 Redemption and Rescue

by Jill Ice

So the famine that Joseph had interpreted from Pharoah’s dream was upon Egypt.  But because of Joseph’s leadership, Egypt had plenty of grain, not only for the people of their own country, but also for the many people who would come from miles around seeking food. 

Joseph’s brothers were among the latter.  And Joseph rescued them.  He gave them the food they were desperately seeking.  What’s more, Joseph gave them the forgiveness that they needed even more desperately. 

It reminds me of a greater story of redemption and rescue.

"One day, God would send another Prince, a young Prince whose heart would break.  Like Joseph, he would leave his home and his Father.  His brothers would hate him and want him dead.  He would be sold for pieces of silver.  He would be punished even though he had done nothing wrong.  But God would use everything that happened to this young Prince -- even the bad things -- to do something good to forgive the sins of the whole world."

From The JesusStorybook Bible (every family needs this book!)

Genesis 41-42 Faith unto Salvation

Posted by Mike Durrill


"Jacob had faith, and the ears of faith are always quiet; faith can hear the tread of mercy, though the footfall be as light as that of the angel among the flowers. Though mercy should be a thousand leagues away, and its journey should occupy ten thousand years, yet faith could hear its footsteps, for it is quick of ear and quick of eye. Nay, more, if God should give a promise which should never be fulfilled till the old rolling skies were dissolved, faith would look through all the generations, along the vista of the centuries, and see the spirit of promise afar off, and rejoice therein. Jacob had the ears of faith. He had been at prayer, I doubt not, asking God to deliver his family in the time of famine; and by-and-bye he hears, first of his household, that there is corn in Egypt. Do you see the gathering? The venerable patriarch sits in the tent. his sons come to pay him their morning obeisance; there is despair in their faces, they bring their little children with them. All that the patriarch has he gives; but this morning he adds good news to his benediction, he says to them, "There is corn in Egypt." Can you conceive how their hearts leaped? He scarcely needs to add, "Get you down thither, and buy for us from thence; that we may live and not die." Jacob heard the good news, and communicated it as speedily as possible to his descendants.

Now, we also have heard the good news. Good news has been sent to us in the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. "There is corn in Egypt." We need not die. There is salvation with God. We need not perish—there is mercy in the Most High. We need not think that we must necessarily be lost; there is a way of salvation; there is a hope of escape—do we not receive the tidings in joy? Do not our hearts rejoice within us at the thought that we are not hopelessly condemned, but that the Lord may yet have mercy upon us? Now, we have better news than even Jacob had; although the news is similar, understanding it in a spiritual sense." - Charles Spurgeon

Genesis 38-40

by Diana Durrill

"But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him His steadfast love..." 39:21a

A simple but profound reminder today:  The Lord is with us and He shows us His steadfast love. 

Joseph's circumstances were no surprise to God.  He knew that Joseph was innocent of the crime he was accused of and undeserving of this punishment.  That didn't keep the bad thing from happening to Joseph. 

If we're honest, we all sometimes question the Lord as to why we are being tested or tried in some way.  We might wonder why we are being accused of something we didn't do.  We may be frustrated that others misjudge our motives.   Or we may "undeservedly" suffer the consequences of someone else's sin.

We can rest in the knowledge that God knows.  He knows!!  And He can take care of us.  He can and will use these things for our good and His glory.   (Romans 8:28)

I hope you find comfort today.  I'm sure Joseph found comfort in the care God demonstrated when he allowed Joseph to find favor in the eyes of the jail keeper.  Look around in the midst of your struggle and see where God is demonstrating to you that He knows and He cares.

Gen 32-34

by Paul Ice

"Then Jacob was ygreatly afraid and distressed."

Chapter 32 seems to follow a consistent narrative in the O.T.  God has been faithful in His promises, but circumstances come that cause them to fear and doubt the future.  Jacob calls on God to be faithful to His promises and then comes up with a very detailed backup plan.  

I was thinking it can be hard for us to balance the difference between good preparation and trusting God.  It seems we are pretty hard on the God's people in the O.T. when they lack faith in God’s plan.  We do the same thing, don’t we?  Maybe you could comment on some of the truths that we know to be true but struggle from time to time to live them out.

Genesis 30-31

by Adam Johnson

So Jacob took a stone and set it up as a pillar. Genesis 31:45

Jacob again set up for himself a covenant marker similar to the one he had made at Bethel. These covenant markers served as physical reminders to enable Jacob to recall the powerful defining moments of his life.

This covenant was with another man, but it served as a powerful reminder that this came about because he was afraid and refused to believe God. Jacob tricked Laban and fled to Canaan apart from God's plan. God in his love intervened, and Jacob saw the protection of his God.

I'm so thankful God pursues us when we go our own way, and calls us back to Him. We may not necessarily use physical reminders like Jacob, but it is a great thing to set up reminders in our own hearts of the defining moments that signify His faithfulness to us and His word.

Genesis 27-29 God is there

by Rebekah Johnson

Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, "Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it."

Genesis 28:16

Jacob was outside sleeping under the myriads of stars, and perhaps the thought had occurred to him the God Who created them is out there somewhere way up in heaven. Perhaps.

When God sends him his "wake-up call" he is shaken up by the awesomeness and real presence of God. It's like he's saying, "Whoa, didn't know you were here, God. Thanks for letting me know."

Jacob had been living his life pretty much on his own terms. He had received the blessing, he was getting a wife, he was his mother's favorite... Then, according to Jacob, God showed up. It was like he didn't realize God had been there since the beginning, all the time.

Even though we may not "feel" His presence, He's there. When our circumstances appear bigger than we can handle, He's there. When we're going our own way, He's there. When we're abiding in Him, He's there.

Genesis 25-26 We See Plainly

by Jill Ice

Genesis 26:28 “We see plainly that the Lord has been with you…”

We continue the narrative of Abraham’s faith and obedience to God by following the family line to Abraham’s son Isaac.  Isaac was clearly blessed because of his father’s covenant with God – he was given land to dwell in and offspring that would number as the stars of heaven.

But Isaac did not rest upon his father’s laurels. Isaac showed faith of his own – when God commanded him to stay in a land wracked with famine, Isaac obeyed.  Isaac planted crops and in the same year reaped a hundredfold.  Others around him began to notice.

Soon Isaac’s enemies came to him to make a covenant of peace with him.  Isaac, knowing these people hated him, questioned their motives.  Isaac’s enemies replied:

“We see plainly that the Lord has been with you… You are now the blessed of the Lord.” 

Prosperity was clearly upon Isaac – everyone could see it.  But it was also clear that it was a result of God’s blessing. 

We know that physical prosperity is not the hallmark of God’s blessing upon His people.  So how can others “plainly see” that God is with us?

In John 13:35, Jesus gives his disciples a new command: “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Most of the time, the world will not see God’s love apart from His people, who are the visible representation of Christ on earth.  We need to actively seek out ways to show God’s love towards others. And when God interrupts our insignificant, mundane plans with opportunities to live out God’s love, we need to joyfully embrace God’s plans and let His love shine through us.

"Help me to walk as Jesus walked,

My only Savior and perfect model,

His mind my inward guest,

His meekness my covering garb."

-Valley of Vision

“Christlikeness”

Genesis 22-24 Faith that Works.

By Pastor Mike Durrill

 Wow. Certainly a wealth of reading today! My mind is drawn swiftly to Abraham's faith in God.


[17] So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. - James 2:17 ESV



[17] By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, [18] of whom it was said, "Through Isaac shall your offspring be named." [19] He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back. - Hebrews 11:17-19 ESV



Faith that works is faith that. then. works. Faith in God results in action. I believe! Therefore I act.

Redundant, I know...but yet shallow faith may need the repetition.

Where is your faith placed today? For whatever or whoever your faith is in will be your master. As Abraham aged, he trusted in himself less and believed God more.

Oh that I would daily believe!

Genesis 19-21

by Diana Durrill

As I read our passage for today I struggled with which direction to go....it all seemed so heavy!  I could light into Lot and his disgusting and shameful offer extended to the perverted men of his city.  Or I could travel down the road of his daughter's behavior and their lack of faith in God.  Or...there is chapter 20 where we find Abraham still lying about Sarah being his sister.  I was relieved to come upon chapter 21 and find that after 25 years of waiting, Sarah is finally going to see the fulfillment of God's promise to her with the birth of Isaac, and that is definitely cause for rejoicing.  But the narrative quickly shifts to the banishment of Hagar and Ishmael and I am faced with another difficult topic.  Goodness!

But then.....as the day's reading is drawing to a close...I read these words in 21:33,

"and [Abraham] called there on the name of the Lord, the Everlasting God."

I found this to be the most refreshing verse of the entire assignment today.  These are words we can all take comfort in.  It is a beautiful reminder that while we all will all make poor choices, sin, and lose faith in God -  the name of our God is Everlasting.

• We don't have to sin or compromise (19:8) because God can protect us and our families.
• We don't have to take matters into our own hands (19:31, 20:2)) because God has not lost control.
• We can be assured that God keeps His promises (21:1, 21:17).

Why?  Because our God is Everlasting.  He cannot be taken by surprise or have His plans thwarted.  We can find strength and protection in His name.  We can find rest in His love.  We can be confident in His word.  He is Everlasting.

Genesis 16-18

What can we learn about God's character from this quick hitting, historical narrative? Most of Genesis is like this, and it's not very similar to modern writing. However, this is what God has preserved for us and it gives us all the details we really need. Everything we need to understand God's redemption of man and His nature. That's why we are reading this. So what do you see here about God?  First, God started with only a glimpse of the His plan. The covenant from chapter 15 sounded amazing, but the only problem was Abram and Sarai had no children. God had a plan. God knew the details. He just determined Abram did not need to know it all fully. And you know what? God still works that same way with us. He may give us a glimpse and let us know what we need to know, but there's always questions. All those questions are never completely answered. We can look back in hindsight at Abraham's life and see where God was leading and what God was doing, but Abraham didn't know. He had to trust. What we can also see here is that when man tries to intervene apart from God's leading it never solves anything. When we get our own ideas (like ch. 16: 2-4 "Abram just take Hagar our servant and have a baby with her.") it only complicates things.

One other thing is see about the nature of God is his mercy. In ch. 18 God's mercy was so strong and so long-suffering that he waited until there were less than 10 righteous to judge Sodom. For more thoughts on this take a look at this video from the 1 minute Apologist:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvV3l_dVvFc&feature=player_embedded

Genesis 12-14

by Paul Ice

18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (He was priest of God Most High.) 19 And he blessed him. . . 

Probably one of my favorite parts of today’s reading is the introduction of Melchizedek.  (King of Salem and Priest of God Most High) I remember spending a significant portion of time in seminary discussing all the theories of who he was and what was his significance. 

It is very interesting the limited information about him and yet the prominent mention of him in other passages. (Ps 110, Heb 5,6,7)  Then we learn the significance of the limited information.  The writer of Hebrews goes way back to this passage to explain how Jesus is their new High Priest.  The only logical way for Jesus, who was not a Levite, to be a priest would be for Jesus to become the priest according to a different priesthood.  

So not to ruin the story too much for you, but the lack of information about Melchizedek is actually a significant part of the story.   It’s here that we see an important aspect of his priesthood. It is not passed on through descent like the Levitical priesthood. Without any record of his birth and death (stated in Hebrews), he becomes a picture of Christ. This priesthood, unlike the Levitical priesthood, will never come to an end. (ok, so I ruined the ending)  See, the lack of information about him actually becomes the most important thing about him.

Job 40-42

by Adam Johnson

"And the LORD restored the fortunes of Job, when he had prayed for his friends..." Job 42:10

This verse really jumped out at me because I often focus on the first part of Job's response to God - his confession - and overlook the responsibility he still had to forgive. It's often easy to respond in faith when God confronts us with our depravity, but it is a totally different story when we are confronted with the wrongs of others. This to me is the final test of Job.

His friends had wronged him; they had falsely accused him. God left him with the responsibility to forgive and intercede for them.

God's blessing came after Job forgave and prayed for his friends. "If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened." Psalm 66:14

Job 38-39 Humble Faith

by Rebekah Johnson

"Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding." Job 38:4

God reminds Job of just who He isn't with this question.

Where was Job when all of these things took place?

Where was I?

Like Job, I am just a minuscule part of the world God made. I don't know. I cannot comprehend the magnificent intricacies of God's designs. He is all-knowing. He is all-powerful.

As I read through God's descriptive rebuke to Job, I was amazed at how much detail God concerns Himself with. He provides food for the wild animals, He directs the lightning, He channels the rain...and He loves and cares for me.

Humble faith -- that is my response.

"Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!"

Romans 11:33

Job 35-37 Song in the Night

by Jill Ice

Job 35:10 But none says, ‘Where is God my Maker, who gives songs in the night, 

I have always loved the phrase “songs in the night”.  Back in college, I accompanied for one of the traveling choirs.  We had the privilege of touring the country in the spring semester, giving concerts to churches and schools. 

My junior year, our choir director introduced a song called “My Song in the Night”.  While the words aren’t new, his beautiful arrangement of it was new.  The words are as follows:

O Jesus my Savior, my song in the night,
Come to us with Thy tender love,
my soul’s delight.
Unto Thee, O Lord, in affliction I call,
My comfort by day, and my song in the night.

O why should I wander, an alien from Thee,
Or cry in the desert Thy face to see?
My comfort and joy, my soul’s delight,
O Jesus my Savior, my song in the night.

O Jesus my Savior, my song in the night.
Come to us with Thy tender love,
my soul’s delight.
My comfort and joy, my soul’s delight,
O Jesus my Savior, my song in the night.

We learned the song and took it on the road during tour.  The first night of that tour stands out as a vivid memory to me.  Our choir director introduced the song to the audience by telling why he arranged it.  A family in his church had gone through a very difficult time – the father had recently died from complications from surgery.  Then our choir director shocked us all when he said the son was standing in the top row of our choir.  I never knew his story.

As our choir director told the story, tears began to flow – not only down his face, but down the faces of the choir members, and also throughout the audience that night.  As tour went on, this song became so precious to our group.  Our choir director retold that story in other churches, and the tears continued to flow. 

But the first night of tour was when it struck me in full force that we really don’t know the struggles that those around us are going through.  We don’t know where others have been. 

But we do know that God’s strength and steadfast love is available for all of us.  Psalm 42:8 says “By day the LORD commands his steadfast love, and at night his song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life.”

In the deepest, darkest hours, God is there.  His song is with me and with you.  It was with Job in his darkest days. 

We are not alone.

Job 32-34

By Mike Durrill

Elihu goes off! Wow. Job has been pummeled by his "friends" and now Elihu just hauls off and lets him have it. Again. And yet, we find truth in the discourse -


[6] Behold, I am toward God as you are; I too was pinched off from a piece of clay. - Job 33:6 ESV


How true. This truth certainly brings all of us back down to where we really are -

I am just a pinch of clay molded by the Creator. 

This brings perspective to that relationship you are struggling with today...

Job 24-31

by Diana Durrill


"For he looks to the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens."  Job 28:24


I cannot know why suddenly the storm
Should rage so fiercely round me in its wrath;
But this I know - God watches all my path, 
And I can trust.


I may not draw aside the mystic veil
That hides the unknown future from my sight,
Nor know if for me waits the dark or light;
But I can trust.


I have no power to look across the tide,
To see while here the land beyond the river;
But this I know - I shall be God's forever; 
So I can trust.


- Author Unknown

Job 17-20

by Mike Durrill


"For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth." Job 19:25



With no light at the end of the tunnel of circumstance and no one around him who could or would understand, Job has God-given hope. He has a confident expectation in the One who will set him free.

By God's grace, Job has eternal perspective...

Job 21-23

By Mike Durrill

But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold. - Job 23:10


Motives. Human nature tends to judge the heart.

As outsiders looking in, Job's friends are certain that Job has sinned against God and incurred His wrath as a result. Job declares that God knows his heart and that his motives for living are pure.

There will come a day when all will be made known...

Job 14-16

By Mike Durrill

Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? There is not one. - Job 14:4 ESV

What is man, that he can be pure? Or he who is born of a woman, that he can be righteous? - Job 15:14 ESV

These short verses seemed to lift off the page as I was reading today. It certainly makes sense that “clean” cannot come from “unclean”, doesn’t it? Yet, don’t often we hear of people whose hope of pleasing God is to make themselves clean?

Before answering that question in the affirmative, don’t we as Christians attempt to do the same at times? It is prayers like this: Oh Lord, I will do better. Or, God, give me another chance and I will show you that I’m serious. Or, Lord, next time You can count on me! These expressions to God are sincere, but not Biblically sound.

The good news that God has for all men and women is that truly we are made clean and remain clean by His works, not ours. 

Have faith in God. His grace is enough. 

Job 10-13

by Diana Durrill

Job's friend, Zophar, gives Job some really good advice in verses 12-13 -

1.  Prepare your heart (devotion to God).
2.  Stretch out your hands toward Him (demonstrating repentance and forgiveness).
3.  Put iniquity far away.
4.  Let not injustice dwell in your tent (don't let sin dwell in your tent).

All of this is good advice and things we should surely be striving to do in our walk with the Lord.  But Zophar errs when he continues in verse 14 -


"Surely then you will lift up your face without blemish; you will be secure and will not fear.  You will forget your misery; you will remember it as waters that have passed away.  And your life will be brighter than the noonday; its darkness will be like the morning.  And you will feel secure, because there is hope; you will look around and take your rest in security."

Did you catch it?  It's a small, seemingly irrelevant phrase in this passage....surely then.  It's as if Job has to conform to an "if...then" relationship with God.  IF you do all these things, then surely all the rest will fall into place.

The problem is, Zophar didn't have the mind of God and didn't understand God's ways (Isaiah 55:9).  Zophar had no idea that these trials were part of a much bigger picture.  There were elements at work that no one on earth could fathom.  As we continue to read through the book we will see more of God's perspective revealed, but the one thing you can take away today is this:

Life is not so easily judged by mankind....we have limited perspective.  

Job 6-9

by Mike Durrill


"For he crushes me with a tempest and multiplies my wounds without cause;" - Job 9:17 ESV

This man Job, lived as a contemporary of Abraham thousands of years ago. That fact alone brings a unique perspective to his story. My initial thought is, "Wow, human nature hasn't changed in 5,000 years!" Trying to insert myself into Job's situation is difficult in the sense that God has definitely not allowed Satan to "touch" my life in this horrific way. Yet, when the smallest of challenges arise in my life, I tend to have a similar reaction toward God as Job does in verse 17. They come in the form of silent questions, such as: Why? What have I done to deserve this? I am trying to serve you with my whole heart and this is what I get?

Do Christians face these "Job type" tests in 2012? From my spoiled American perspective it seems difficult to answer that question in the affirmative. Yet, I wonder, how would Christians who don't have the freedom, ease and life of comfort that I have, or those who might face Job-type trials would answer that question?

And then my thoughts go beyond to, "I wonder if they respond like me?"