Today’s scripture: Genesis 24 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Kirsten Shaw):
In Genesis 24, Abraham sent his right-hand man back to his homeland to find a wife for his son, Isaac. Not exactly a scenario we can relate to in our lives today, right? But when scripture doesn’t immediately resonate with us, we must persist.
For me, this chapter resulted in the most ironic of discoveries, that Genesis 24 can serve as a spiritual testimony for how to respond to the dilemmas we encounter. In other words, in my challenge to understand, I learned to understand challenge:
GENESIS 24: THE 9 SPIRITUAL STEPS TO DEALING WITH DILEMMAS
STEP 1: (24:3-9) Accept the challenge we’re given.
STEP 2: (24:5) Examine our alternatives.
STEP 3: (24:12-14) Make a plan.
STEP 4: (24:12-14) Lift it up to God, and pray for guidance.
STEP 5: (24:12-14) Leave room in our plan for God to operate.
STEP 6: (24:12-21) Wait and watch carefully.
STEP 7: (24:12-26) Accept the answers with gratitude.
STEP 8: (24:12-34-49) Explain the situation to affected parties.
STEP 9: (24: 56) Remain diligent in our commitment to the plan.
Here are six additional passages to help us succeed in our pursuits:
- Philippians 4:6: Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
- Proverbs 3:5: Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
- Phillippians 4:13: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
- Proverbs 3:6: In all your ways acknowledge God, and God will make straight your paths.
- Matthew 7:7: Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
- James 1:5: If any of you lack wisdom, ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given.
Thought for the Day: Gracious God, I invite you into every challenge I face. Please give me the strength and vulnerability to endure with passion and compassion. Let me embrace your will, learn the lessons I need, and serve as a living testimony of your grace and possibilities. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the suggestions on the How to Pray page.