January 10th

Genesis 21:1-24:51

Abraham’s wife, Sarah dies. He buys a field and cave from the Hittites to bury her, even though they insisted on giving it to him. Abraham was also getting along in years, and had his chief servant swear by putting his hand under his thigh that he would get a wife for his son, Isaac, from Abraham’s country among his own relatives, instead of from the Canannite people. He didn’t want Isaac to go back to that country, but wanted the girl to come to Isaac. God had given his family that land. Abraham saw the importance of his family staying in the land that God had promised them. If the woman didn’t want to come back with the servant, Abraham said he would be released from the oath, but just couldn’t take Isaac back there.

The servant asked God to help him find this girl, and said that whichever girl he asked for water also offered to water the camels, that would be the girl that God wanted for Isaac. Before he had finished praying, Rebekah came out. She did what the servant as looking for, by giving him and his camels water. When he asked her what family she was from, she said Nahor, descendents of Abraham. He gave her bracelets and a nose ring, I’m assuming to signify that he wanted her to marry Isaac. She ran back and told her family, and they invited him to their house to eat and stay. He wouldn’t eat till he gave them his message and at this time he told them about his mission to find Isaac a wife. He asked her parents, “’Now if you will show kindness and faithfulness to my master, tell me; and if not, tell me, so I may know which way to turn.’ Laban and Bethuel answered, ‘This is from the LORD; we can say nothing to you one way or the other. Here is Rebekah; taker her and go, and let her become the wife of your master’s son, as the Lord has directed.’”

Matthew 8:1-17

Large crowds are following Jesus and a man with leprosy approaches. With great faith he says, “’Lord if you are willing, you can make me clean.’” Jesus touched him, and immediately he was clean.

A centurion approaches Jesus and mentions his servant at home who is paralyzed and suffering. Jesus says he’ll go to the centurion’s house, but the centurion doesn’t feel he deserves for Jesus to come under his roof. He says that if Jesus will say the word, he believes his servant will be healed, without Jesus even being there. Jesus says, “ ‘I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.’ “ He tells the centurion to go and it will be done.

Jesus then healed Peter’s mother-in-law of fever. Evening brought more healing, with some who were demon-possessed being brought to him.

All of this was to, “fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:

He took up our infirmities

And carried our diseases. (Isaiah 53:4)

Psalm 9:13-20

O LORD, see how my enemies persecute me! (who are his enemies in this?)

Have mercy.

Lift me from the gates of death.

Lift me so that I can DECLARE your praises.

“The nations have fallen into the pit they have dug;

Their feet are caught in the net they have hidden.

The LORD is known by his justice; the wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands.”

Man can’t triumph.

Don’t let them us, LORD.

Let them be judged by you, in your presnese.

Arise!

Let them know that they are only men.

YOU are God.

You are LORD.

Proverbs 3:1-6

Don’t forget my teachings.

Keep my commands in your heart.

Don’t ever leave behind love and faithfulness.

Keep them with you at all times.

Around your neck, even, like a necklace.

Close and always with you.

Write them on your heart.

They can’t be taken from you if they’re on your heart.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;

In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”