Quiet Walk

[Judy Harder]

Genesis 12

God establishes a unilateral covenant with Abraham.

INSIGHT

The opposite of obedience is unbelief; the essence of obedience is belief. If you truly believe God is totally good and all powerful, if you truly believe He always acts for His children's benefit, you will obey whatever He asks of you. It is when you doubt these truths that obedience to the Lord becomes difficult.

The New Testament tells us: "Abraham believed God" (James 2:23). Therefore, he obeyed when God said, "Get out of your country" (Genesis 12:1).

Are you struggling with obedience in an area of your life? Perhaps there is something in the Scriptures you do not truly believe. Search your life, and in the tradition of the disciples, ask the Lord to increase your faith (Luke 17:5).

PRAYER

· In faith and obedience, offer to the Lord the praise of your lips:

Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel,
Who only does wondrous things!
And blessed be His glorious name forever!
And let the whole earth be filled with His
glory (Psalm 72:18-19).

· Now pray this confession to the Lord to keep your life free from sin and in fellowship with Him:

All we like sheep have gone astray;
We have turned, every one, to his own way;
And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity
of us all (Isaiah 53:6).

· Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. As you agree with God's will, voice your affirmation of His Word:

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new
(2 Corinthians 5:17).

· As you make your requests known to the Lord, pray for:
· greater love for the lost,
· the work of missions in Africa,
· the concerns of your heart.

· Offer this prayer of worship to the Lord:

Great is our Lord, and mighty in power;
His understanding is infinite.
The Lord lifts up the humble;
He casts the wicked down to the ground
(Psalm 147:5-6).

The Lord will command His lovingkindness
in the daytime,
And in the night His song shall be with me
(Psalm 42:.

[Judy Harder]

January 10
Genesis 15

God confirms His covenant with Abraham.

INSIGHT

"Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness" (James 2:23). Faith is central to the Christian experience. In fact, without faith, there is no Christian experience.

Why is faith so important? Because we cannot make ourselves righteous -- any more than a cracked window can make itself uncracked.

We have sinned and only God can make us righteous. Faith then is the only thing we can do -- and even our faith is a gracious gift of God!

PRAYER

· Celebrate your relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ by offering Him this psalm of praise:

I will bless the Lord at all times;
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul shall make its boast in the Lord;
The humble shall hear of it and be glad.
Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
And let us exalt His name together
(Psalm 34:1-3).

· Now pray this confession to the Lord to keep your life free from sin and in fellowship with Him:

I turn to You, Lord, with all my heart, With fasting, with weeping, and with  mourning. I rend my heart, and not my garments (based on Joel 2:12-13).

· Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. As you agree with God's will, voice your affirmation of His Word:

There is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time (1 Timothy 2:5-6).

· As you make your requests known to the Lord, pray for:
· renewal of your mind,
· needs of your extended family,
· your prayer list.

· Offer this prayer of worship to the Lord:

Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make us complete in every good work to do His will, working in us what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen (based on Hebrews 13:20-21).

[Judy Harder]

Genesis 18

The birth of Isaac is promised.

INSIGHT

Don't you love hospitality? Isn't it a pleasant experience to enter someone's home and feel welcome? Hospitality is the mark of an open and giving heart.

The secret to hospitality is love. If you love your guests and go out of your way to make them feel loved, you will be an exceptional host or hostess.

Hospitality is such an important Christian character trait that elders in the church must be "hospitable" (1 Timothy 3:2).

Abraham was a man given to hospitality. Likewise, hospitality should be a trait in our own lives.

PRAYER

· In full confidence in the character of God, offer your praise to Him through these psalms:

Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous!
For praise from the upright is beautiful
(Psalm 33:1).

But I will hope continually,
And will praise You yet more and more.
My mouth shall tell of Your righteousness
And Your salvation all the day,
For I do not know their limits
(Psalm 71:14-15).

· Now pray this confession to the Lord:

I return to the Lord, my God,
For He is gracious and merciful,
Slow to anger, and of great kindness;
And He relents from doing harm
(based on Joel 2:13).

· Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. As you agree with God's will, voice your affirmation of His Word:

God was manifested in the flesh,
Justified in the Spirit,
Seen by angels,
Preached among the Gentiles,
Believed on in the world,
Received up in glory (1 Timothy 3:16).

· As you make your requests known to the Lord, pray for:

· greater commitment to the Lord,
· the work of specific Christian ministries,
· today's activities.

· Offer this prayer of worship to the Lord:

Let the words of my mouth and the
meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in Your sight,
O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer
(Psalm 19:14).

[Judy Harder]

January 12

Genesis 21

Abraham and Sarah rejoice in the birth of the son of promise.

INSIGHT

Perhaps we do not celebrate enough -- often enough or grandly enough. Perhaps we do not make enough out of the good things God does for us.

Abraham made a great feast on the day Isaac was weaned. Certainly that was a cultural event.

It would seem odd to celebrate the same event today. Yet there are other things we could celebrate within our culture, but we don't.

When was the last time you made a big deal out of something important? Perhaps a high school or college graduation. A successful music recital. Climbing a mountain, or running a marathon.

God has created us with emotions that make life a richer experience for us. Perhaps we should celebrate more -- in both quantity and quality.

PRAYER

· Celebrate your personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ by giving Him your praise:

I will go in the strength of the Lord God;
I will make mention of Your righteousness,
of Yours only.
O God, You have taught me from my youth;
And to this day I declare Your wondrous
works (Psalm 71:16-17).

· Now pray this confession to the Lord:

Lord, You are near to those who have a
broken heart,
And save such as have a contrite spirit
(based on Psalm 34:18).

· Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. As you agree with God's will, voice your affirmation of His Word:

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).

· As you make your requests known to the Lord, pray for:
· the Lord's leading in your life,
· opportunities to share your faith,
· the concerns of your heart.

· Offer this prayer of worship to the Lord:

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen (Ephesians 3:20-21).

[Judy Harder]

January 13
Genesis 22

Abraham offers his son, Isaac, as a sacrifice.

INSIGHT

God tests our faith -- not to catch us failing so that He can punish us or merely to determine genuineness -- but to strengthen and increase our faith for the future.

The concept of testing includes refining or purifying. It is the same word used to describe the process of refining gold to purify it and to increase its value. The purpose of testing is to yield spiritual maturity.

We see from Abraham's life that God tests us for our good. We, then, can trust Him, even during times of testing.

PRAYER

· Give praise to God that He always acts in your interest:

You have dealt well with Your servant,
O Lord, according to Your word.
Teach me good judgment and knowledge,
For I believe Your commandments.
Before I was afflicted I went astray,
But now I keep Your word.
You are good, and do good;
Teach me Your statutes (Psalm 119:65-68).

· Now pray this confession to the Lord to keep your life free from sin and in fellowship with Him:

This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief (1 Timothy 1:15).

· As you confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind, voice your affirmation of God's Word:

Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
You will revive me;
You will stretch out Your hand
Against the wrath of my enemies,
And Your right hand will save me
(Psalm 138:7).

· As you make your requests known to the Lord, pray for:
· a greater ability to withstand temptation,
· civil leaders to act in godly ways,
· your prayer list.

· Offer this prayer of worship to the Lord:

I will worship toward Your holy temple,
And praise Your name
For Your lovingkindness and Your truth;
For You have magnified Your word above
all Your name.
In the day when I cried out,
You answered me,
And made me bold with strength in my
soul (Psalm 138:2-3).

[Judy Harder]

January 14

Genesis 24

Isaac takes Rebekah as his wife.

INSIGHT

A steward is one who is commissioned to oversee the welfare and execute the affairs of another. The closer a steward is able to represent the mind of his superior, the better he fulfills his role. Therefore, when a steward is on assignment, ideally he has no personal mind or will; he strives to have the mind and will of his superior.
Eliezer, Abraham's servant, was an excellent example of a faithful steward. His complete mindset was to represent the will of Abraham as faithfully as possible. As Christians, we are stewards of Christ, and as such, we are to strive to have the mind and will of Christ. In addition, we are always on assignment (1 Corinthians 6:20). By studying Eliezer, we can gain insight into how to be a more faithful steward of Christ.

PRAYER

· Thank the Lord and give Him your praise for making you a steward of the precious truth of salvation in Christ:

Remember me, O Lord, with the favor You
have toward Your people;
Oh, visit me with Your salvation,
That I may see the benefit of Your chosen
ones,
That I may rejoice in the gladness of Your
nation,
That I may glory with Your inheritance
(Psalm 106:4-5).

· Now pray this confession to the Lord:

O Lord, do not rebuke me in Your anger,
Nor chasten me in Your hot displeasure.
Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am weak;
O Lord, heal me, for my bones are troubled.
My soul also is greatly troubled;
But You, O Lord -- how long? (Psalm 6:1-3).

· As you confess your sins, voice your affirmation of God's Word: God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble (1 Peter 5:5).

· As you make your requests known to the Lord, pray for:
· greater faithfulness to the steward-ship of sharing the Gospel,
· the work of missions in the former Communist Bloc,
· today's activities.

· Now offer this prayer of worship to the Lord:

Great peace have those who love Your law,
And nothing causes them to stumble.
Lord, I hope for Your salvation,
And I do Your commandments.
My soul keeps Your testimonies,
And I love them exceedingly
(Psalm 119:165-167).

[Judy Harder]

January 15

Genesis 27

Jacob deceives Isaac into blessing him rather than his older brother Esau.

INSIGHT

This chapter is a low point in the life of a chosen family. It is difficult to justify the behavior of anyone. Perhaps the deepest, most helpful lesson we can learn from this chapter is that since God was able to make a saint out of someone like Jacob, God can take our lives -- with all of their sin and failure -- and make something out of them for His glory.

Jacob lied; we lie. Jacob failed to trust God; we fail to trust God. Jacob became a man of God; we can become men and women of God. Jacob was used by the Lord; the Lord can use us, too.

For a child of God, there is always a future; and that future can bear fruit. If God can use Jacob, God can use us.

PRAYER

· We praise the Lord with joy because He never gives up on us, His children:

Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands!
Serve the Lord with gladness;
Come before His presence with singing.
Know that the Lord, He is God;
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture (Psalm 100:1-3).

· Now pray this confession to the Lord in response to His revelation:
O Lord, I have heard your speech and was afraid;
O Lord, revive Your work in the midst of the years!
In the midst of the years make it known;
In wrath remember mercy (Habakkuk 3:2).

· As you confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind, voice your affirmation of God's Word:

For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21).

· As you make your requests known to the Lord, pray for:
· faithfulness with your finances,
· revival among Christians in America,
· the concerns of your heart.

· Now offer this prayer of worship to the Lord:

The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in
From this time forth, and even forevermore (Psalm 121:. 

[Judy Harder]

January 16

Genesis 28

Jacob dreams of angels and heaven.

INSIGHT

Jacob's dream -- in which he sees the angels ascending and descending the ladder to heaven -- seems to be a turning point in his life. It appears to be the point at which he receives a personal relationship with the Lord. Jacob's life after this encounter was not flawless. But God was able to use him in a central role to fulfill ancient promises.

So, too, we must have a personal relationship with God through Jesus, His Son, and our Savior, before we can experience the work of God in us and through us. Do you know Jesus personally? If not, why not receive Him as your Savior and Lord now?

PRAYER

· Offer praise to your Savior in the words of this psalm:

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
For the Lord is good;
His mercy is everlasting,
And His truth endures to all generations (Psalm 100:4-5).

· Now pray this confession to the Lord:

Unto You I lift up my eyes,
O You who dwell in the heavens.
Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters,
As the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress,
So my eyes look to You, the Lord my God,
Until You have mercy on me
(based on Psalm 123:1-2).

· As you confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind, voice your affirmation of God's Word:

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich (2 Corinthians 8:9).

· As you make your requests known to the Lord, pray for:
· greater love for your family,
· the work of missions in North and South America,
· today's activities.

· Now offer this prayer of worship to the Lord:

Now may the God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing, that we may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit
(based on Romans 15:13). 

[Judy Harder]

Genesis 37

Jacob's son, Joseph, is sold by his brothers.

INSIGHT

Feeling loved is one of life's greatest needs. When we do not feel loved, we often will go to great lengths to try to earn love or retaliate against those who keep us from being loved.

Joseph's brothers contemplated murder but instead kidnapped Joseph to get rid of him. His brothers thought of him as a threat -- all because Jacob displayed his preference for Joseph.

Jacob's preferential treatment of Joseph in no way condones the actions of the brothers, but it points out to us as Christians that we should love all men as Christ would. When individuals feel that love, it makes it easier for them to love others in return.

PRAYER

· Praise our Lord that He can enable us to avoid showing partiality, so that we can love as He loves (James 2:1):

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good;
Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!
Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints!
There is no want to those who fear Him
(Psalm 34:8-9).

· Now pray this confession to the Lord to keep your life free from sin and in fellowship with Him:

Against You, You only, have I sinned,
And done this evil in Your sight --
That You may be found just when You speak,
And blameless when You judge (Psalm 51:4).

· Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. As you agree with God's will, voice your affirmation of His Word:

Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him (1 Corinthians 2:9).

· As you make your requests known to the Lord, pray for:
· wisdom in decision making,
· the needs of your friends,
· your prayer list.

· Now offer this prayer of worship to the Lord:

The Lord bless us and keep us;
The Lord make His face shine upon us,
And be gracious to us;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon us,
And give us peace
(based on Numbers 6:24-26). 

[Judy Harder]

January 18
Genesis 39

Joseph resists the advances of Potiphar's wife.

INSIGHT

Mark Twain once wrote: "Always do right. It will gratify some and astonish the rest." While we smile at that, there are greater reasons for doing right.

Joseph is a good example. When he resisted the advances of Potiphar's wife, Joseph set himself on the road to the throne of Egypt. Had he given in, Joseph would have set himself on the road to ruin.

Always do right. There is more at stake than you might think.

PRAYER

· We praise Christ Jesus for His wonderful works:

O Lord, You have searched me and known me. . .
I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well. . .
How precious also are Your thoughts to me,
O God!
How great is the sum of them!
(Psalm 139:1, 14, 17).

· Now pray this confession to the Lord to keep your life free from sin and in fellowship with Him:

Who can understand his errors?
Cleanse me from secret faults.
Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins;
Let them not have dominion over me.
Then I shall be blameless,
And I shall be innocent of great transgression (Psalm 19:12-13).

· As you confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind, voice your affirmation of God's Word:

Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things (1 Corinthians 13:4-7).

· As you make your requests known to the Lord, pray for:
· a passion for moral excellence,
· Christian education institutions,
· today's activities.

· Now offer this prayer of worship to the Lord:

So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom (Psalm 90:12).