in the word | week of Feb. 21

Posted by acgosser on February 21, 2010

Day 1: Read Genesis 12:1-7 and Genesis 15.
Can it be said that God had a vision for Abram (later renamed Abraham) and his descendants? If so, describe in your journal what that vision looked like. If your Bible includes maps, locate the land described in Genesis 15:18-21. You may wish to search maps on the internet.

Day 2: Read Exodus 1.
As the nation of Israel multiplies greatly, other nations are threatened by its size. As he always does, Satan seeks to thwart God’s plans. In what way(s) is Satan active in Exodus 1? Why is Satan opposed to the growth of the nation of Israel? In your prayer time today ask God to teach you about His vision for the nation of Israel.

Day 3: Read Exodus 12:31-42, Deuteronomy 34:1-5; Joshua 1:1-6.
In your journal write down the ways that God was at work in these passages to fulfill the promises He made hundreds of years earlier to Abraham. What have you learned about God’s involvement in His vision for Abraham’s descendants? What have you learned about Satan’s involvement in God’s visions? Ask God to guide you as you meditate on these questions.

Day 4: Read Esther 1-5.
Again, the nation of Israel is threatened by one who hates the Jews. Will God allow the destruction of the nation of Israel? Invest some extra time today in reading the first five chapters of the Book of Esther in light of your knowledge of God’s vision for Abraham’s descendants. In your journal write your thoughts about Mordecai and Esther. What was the foundation of their faith? How did their faith impact their behavior?

Day 5: Read Esther 6-10.
What an exciting story of God’s faithfulness to His people! It is eerily similar to the events found in today’s news about the nation of Israel. Find some articles in the newspaper or on the internet about the threats against the nation of Israel today. Satan is still bent on destroying Israel, but Almighty God is still in control! In your prayer time today, thank God for His sovereign authority over all things and all beings.

Day 6: Read Revelation 7:1-8.
In John’s Revelation we read of God’s provisions for Abraham’s descendants. Never has God or will God forget His children. Review your journal for this week and recall those you read about who were faithful to God: Abraham, Moses, Joshua, Mordecai, Esther. You too can be counted among the ranks of the faithful – those who take action based upon faith in God’s sovereignty!