Walking in Faith

Reading: Genesis 37, 39 and 40

Make a note of all the sins committed. In what ways did God use these sinful acts to good purpose?

• Genesis 37:4 — Joseph’s brothers hated him and would not speak peacefully to him
• Genesis 37:5, 8 — They hated him even more after he told them a dream
• Genesis 37:18-28 — His brother’s conspired to kill him but threw him into a pit instead, then they sold him into slavery for silver
• Genesis 37:31-32 — Hid the fact that they sold Joseph into slavery; lied to their father by presenting him with the robe dipped in goats blood
• Genesis 39:7-10 — Potiphar’s wife tried to have sex with Joseph
• Genesis 39:12-18 — She tried to lie with him again but when he fled, she lied and say he tried to lie with her
• Genesis 40:23 — Cupbearer forgot his promise to Joseph once he was comfortable

How was God preparing Joseph for the future?

God was building Joseph’s character. He was making Joseph reliant on Him. Joseph was put into positions where he could not succeed. He was cheated three times in these passages. He didn’t deserve any of them — he was an honest man with integrity. God kept his heart pure while he put him through these trials and tribulations. It was all for the glory of the Lord. To say that this man who went through all of these things would rise to the power that he achieves and the success that he has is only a gift from the Lord.

Jason Worthen Genesis, Quiet Time

Reading: Genesis 32:1-33:20

Reading these chapters, what changes can you detect in Jacob?

Jacob became dedicated to the Lord. When he learned of Esau’s coming, he didn’t try to take the matters entirely into his own hands — he prayer. He was faithful to keep the command the Lord gave him — returning to his kindred. Of course, later on in this passage, he falls again and decides to go his own way. This was not honest to his brother which is not the way of the Lord.

What promises, made at Jacob’s encounter with God at Bethel, had been fulfilled? What does that say about the kind of God we have?

God had promised him land and servants. He had promised that his offspring would be like the sand. All of these things had happened. God keeps His promises. He will never break a promise He makes with us. It is amazing to know that we can fully trust that the Lord’s promises for each of us hold true. If it were a man’s promise, you would never know for certain. With the Lord, there is no question. It is not in the Lord’s character to lie or deceive — He is perfect and sinless.

What can we learn from Jacob’s prayer in 32:9-12 about showing our gratitude to God and persistence in prayer?

Jacob claimed the promises that the Lord have given to him. He knew that God would keep His promises, she he claimed them back to the Lord. He also knew his place — insignificant in the scheme of things. Amazing how the Lord uses a simple, insignificant person and does such an awesome thing. Jacob also knew he didn’t deserve these blessings. He was not worthy for the Lord’s favor. I should remember my place when I am praying to God. He is the Creator and the Heavenly Father. He knows exactly what I really need. I know what I want. There is a huge difference. Luckily, God is the one who calls the shots and not me!

Look again at Abraham’s prayer in 18:16-33. Write down what you notice and see how you can use it in your own prayer time today.

Abraham was bold. He knew his place but also had a very strong relationship with the Lord. He knew that the Lord cared for him. While he showed the Lord respect, he questioned him to try to protect his brother. Again, he prayed boldly. This is a key to me. Not only do I need to improve my prayer time, I need to pray boldly. Instead of praying for the Lord to help me with my witness at work, I should pray that the Lord give me three people to lead to Christ today. I can pray that based on the fact that I know that the Lord God wants me to share the Gospel. He wants me to tell others about His glorious son, Jesus Christ.

Jason Worthen Genesis, Quiet Time

Reading: Genesis 25:19-34, 27:1-28:22

As you look at these chapters, and in the light of your weekend reading, make a note of the ways in which Jacob tried to make things happen his own way and in his own time. What were the consequences of his behavior?

• Jacob made Esau sell his birthright for some stew.
• Jacob betrayed his father and stole Esau’s blessings.

Because Jacob was selfish and relied on himself and his mother for instruction. He did not trust in the Lord to provide for him. God spoke directly to Rebekah yet she did not listen. As such, she influence Jacob and he stumbled in his obedience to the Lord very quickly for his mother. Ultimately, the Lord was still with him but he did things in his own way and in his time instead of trusting in the Lord to provide.

In what ways have you been like Jacob? Have you suffered the consequences?

I am not necessarily patient in waiting for the Lord. I want to do things in the way that I feel I can accomplish best. For example, I am not completely sure of how to be successful at my new job. Instead of trusting in the Lord to give me wisdom on this topic, I look to earthly advice. That advice may or may not be God’s plan for me. I have to stop trying to solve all of my problems and let the Lord help guide me. The Lord has greatly blessed me. While I certainly have my own fair share of challenges in my life, I do not feel that I have had to truly suffer. I look at others and their experiences and feel very blessed every single day.

Look at 28:10-22 and in your own words describe Jacob’s response to the Lord.

Jacob was putting limits on his God. He starts off by saying that the LORD was in this place but he did not know it. Obviously, Jacob didn’t realize that the God we worship is everywhere all of the time. He didn’t realize that God walked with him and was influencing and shaping his life. The Scriptures also tell us that he was afraid. It only mentions this so I am a bit curious as to what drove his fear. I am not sure he was fearful of the Lord in a good way but more fearful for himself. Fear of the Lord because we don’t want to experience pain or discipline is not true fear of the Lord — it is selfish fear. True fear of the Lord can be seen in the person that despises their sin and wants to be walking with the Lord so that they do not experience the wrath of the Almighty Father. Finally, I noticed that Jacob puts conditions on God. He says that God will be his God if God will be with him and keep him. We shouldn’t put conditions on our Lord. When we do, we put ourselves in control and not Him. He is truly in control of every situation, however. Instead, Jacob should have dropped to the ground and worshipped the Lord asking for to forgive him for his sins. Instead of putting conditions on his faith, he should have promised to be obedient to the Lord knowing that God would bless him abundantly as He promised.

Jason Worthen Genesis, Quiet Time

Reading: Genesis 22:1-19

Read through this passage a couple of times, seeing it first of all from Abraham’s point of view and then from God’s angle. In what ways was Abraham’s faith strengthened through this testing?

Abraham knew that the Lord God was a loving, caring God that was going to keep His commitments. Originally, I think that Abraham would have been petrified. He wouldn’t have understood why the Lord would have asked Him to sacrifice the only son that He has given to Abraham. When Abraham was about to slay his own son, the Lord interjected and provided for Abraham based on his faith.

Can you think of times when your own faith or that of your church or even the wider Christian fellowship has been tested, yet through it all blessing has resulted?

My faith is tested as I question my own faith. I don’t have anything that proves that I am saved. It is faith that tells me I am saved. I can see by the fruit but there is no proof. I live my life daily knowing that I am saved by faith. However, there are times — especially those times when I am sinning the most and away from the Lord — that I really question myself. Luckily, the Word has made it pretty clear how to be saved. It isn’t by works but by the grace of the Lord. Praise God!

Make a list of all the things and people which are precious to you. Is God more important to you than each of them?

• My wife, Larissa
• My oldest daugther, Elisabeth
• My middle child, Sarah
• My youngest daughter, Rebekah
• My mother, Stephanie
• My in-laws, Barb and Nick
• My Church
• My friends
• My house
• My job

All of these things are very important to me. However, none of them are as important as the Lord. Unfortunately, it is easy for me to say that but I don’t always act like it. If He was truly the most important thing in my life, I would spend more time with Him than I do. I should spend more time focusing on His plan and not my own plans.

Jason Worthen Genesis, Quiet Time

Reading: Genesis 21-25

As you read these chapters, watch out for evidence that God is in control of every situation — be it the timing of the birth of Isaac or Isaac’s marriage with Rebekah. Note down the evidence that you collect.

• Lord gave Abraham and Sarah a child when they were 100 years old
• Lord provided for Hagar and her child when they were dying in the desert
• Abimelech was able to see the blessings the Lord had provided to Abraham
• Lord provided a ram in the thicket so Abraham did not have to sacrifice his only son Isaac
• The Hittites were able to see the blessings the Lord had provided to Abraham
• Lord providing Rebekah for Isaac to wed
• Lord blessed Rebekah so that she could have children

Abraham may sometimes have wondered if God’s power could really bring about the impossible. Sometimes we too are fearful and forget that God is in control.

Even now, as we are trying to prepare our house to sell so that we can buy a new house in the Hutto area where we plan to help plant the new church, I can see God at work. If I trust in my own capabilities, there is no way this is going to happen. We won’t get the house on the market in time, even if we put a contingency offer up, someone else will buy the house, etc. However, if the Lord truly wants us to move to that area into that specific house, doors will remain open — they will not be closed. The Lord will provide in every situation as long as we let Him be in control.

Write down your own fears alongside the evidence that God is all-powerful. What happens to your fears as you look at the God who is in command?

My fears quickly go away. The only thing I have to fear in this world is God Himself. He is all powerful, all mighty, all seeing, all knowing. There is nothing that happens without Him knowing and allowing. That is incredibly humbling. He cares enough about me to allow me to deal with good and bad situations. Obviously, the bad are for my own growth and discipline. He is perfect in all ways. I only have to give things over to Him and trust that He will guide me. Praise the Lord for His love, His mercy and His grace!

Jason Worthen Genesis, Quiet Time