Devotionals for March 1, 2023
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READ
(Genesis 22:10-14)
10 Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son. 11 But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 12 He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” 13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 So Abraham called the name of that place, “The Lord will provide”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.”
REFLECT
It is no coincidence that the first time God is referred to as a provider (v.14) occurs after God provides a "replacement" for Abraham, saving his son from being sacrificed. The Holy Spirit intended that we immediately correlate this event with the crucifixion. In Abraham's story, the ram symbolizes the coming Christ, who will take everyone's place on a future mountain, being pierced by a future knife, and saving all who believe in Him. Sometimes it is easy to dilute a term like "provider" to purely financial language. But how often do we marvel at the miracle of our own salvation? How often do we look to the cross with genuine amazement at what it cost Jesus to save us? It is likely that we get so caught up with making our way through life that we have become numb to the greatest gift we have received. Perhaps we think God owes us something more. A miracle. Healing. Financial security. You name it. But the truth is, God has never once moved toward us for the purpose of satisfying a debt. Instead, every good and gracious act God has done has stemmed wholly from His love for us, and passion to see us made more like Him. When we consider what awaits us, the home He is preparing, then we can manage the disappointment of unmet longings on earth. But one thing we have now and will always have is His greatest gift of all: Himself.
APPLY
Q: What has God promised to provide us?
Q: How does knowing that God's greatest gift to us is Himself change your outlook on earthly desires?
Q: How does viewing Christ as the ultimate gift impact how we talk/relate to others?
SING
“Promises” by Maverick City Music
PRAY
"Give us today our daily bread."
God, we have many needs. We have goals, dreams, and responsibilities. We ask that you would grant us every wish you please to. We trust that you know what is best for us. We thank you for the cross, where you laid your life down for us. Help us to become more aware of how blessed we are. Help us to thank you, even in trial, confident that nothing we lose in life could be greater than what we have gained in you. Amen.
READ
(Genesis 22:10-14)
10 Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son. 11 But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 12 He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” 13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 So Abraham called the name of that place, “The Lord will provide”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.”
REFLECT
It is no coincidence that the first time God is referred to as a provider (v.14) occurs after God provides a "replacement" for Abraham, saving his son from being sacrificed. The Holy Spirit intended that we immediately correlate this event with the crucifixion. In Abraham's story, the ram symbolizes the coming Christ, who will take everyone's place on a future mountain, being pierced by a future knife, and saving all who believe in Him. Sometimes it is easy to dilute a term like "provider" to purely financial language. But how often do we marvel at the miracle of our own salvation? How often do we look to the cross with genuine amazement at what it cost Jesus to save us? It is likely that we get so caught up with making our way through life that we have become numb to the greatest gift we have received. Perhaps we think God owes us something more. A miracle. Healing. Financial security. You name it. But the truth is, God has never once moved toward us for the purpose of satisfying a debt. Instead, every good and gracious act God has done has stemmed wholly from His love for us, and passion to see us made more like Him. When we consider what awaits us, the home He is preparing, then we can manage the disappointment of unmet longings on earth. But one thing we have now and will always have is His greatest gift of all: Himself.
APPLY
Q: What has God promised to provide us?
Q: How does knowing that God's greatest gift to us is Himself change your outlook on earthly desires?
Q: How does viewing Christ as the ultimate gift impact how we talk/relate to others?
SING
“Promises” by Maverick City Music
PRAY
"Give us today our daily bread."
God, we have many needs. We have goals, dreams, and responsibilities. We ask that you would grant us every wish you please to. We trust that you know what is best for us. We thank you for the cross, where you laid your life down for us. Help us to become more aware of how blessed we are. Help us to thank you, even in trial, confident that nothing we lose in life could be greater than what we have gained in you. Amen.