Category: Hiding His Word

Day 26 One-Year Daily Bible Reading – Exodus 2:11–3:22; Matthew 17:10-27; Psalm 22:1-18; Proverbs 5:7-14

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Elias is Come Already and They Knew Him Not
And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things. But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them. Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist. –Matthew 17:10-13

I Brought Him to Thy Disciples, and They Could Not Cure Him
And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying, Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water. And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him. Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me. And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour. – Matthew 17:14-18

Faith as a grain of mustard seed
And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him. Then Jesus answered and said, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me” And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour. Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? And Jesus said unto them, “Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. – Matthew 17:16-20

Jesus was trying to get the disciples to see that what He is asking them to do in faith was not a supernatural thing, but a normal thing.

This Kind Goeth Not Out But By Prayer and Fasting
Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting. – Matthew 17:21

It bothered me today that Matthew 17:21 will not read by many as they do their devotions. There are translations that leave it out. That being said, I can’t ignore any part of God’s Word and especially this one, as I have been changed by the power of both prayer and fasting (together) bringing deliverance!!! Because it is left out of so many versions, many don’t have the chance to receive the revelation of this passage and the manifestation of it in a personal way. It is KEY in my life, but even more – it was KEY here!!! 

The Son of Man Shall Be Betrayed into the Hands of Men, Killed, and the Third Day Raised Again
And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men: and they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again. And they were exceeding sorry. – Matthew 17:22-23

When He (Peter) was Come Into the House, Jesus Prevented Him…
And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers? Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free. Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee. – Matthew 17:24-27

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He Spied an Egyptian Smiting an Hebrew, One of His Brethren
And it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out unto his brethren, and looked on their burdens: and he spied an Egyptian smiting an Hebrew, one of his brethren. And he looked this way and that way, and when he saw that there was no man, he slew the Egyptian, and hid him in the sand. And when he went out the second day, behold, two men of the Hebrews strove together: and he said to him that did the wrong, Wherefore smitest thou thy fellow? And he said, Who made thee a prince and a judge over us? intendest thou to kill me, as thou killedst the Egyptian? And Moses feared, and said, Surely this thing is known. – Exodus 2:11-14

Moses Fled and Dwelt in the Land of Midian
Now when Pharaoh heard this thing, he sought to slay Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh, and dwelt in the land of Midian: and he sat down by a well. – Exodus 2:15

Moses was Content
And Moses was content to dwell with the man: and he gave Moses Zipporah his daughter. And she bare him a son, and he called his name Gershom: for he said, I have been a stranger in a strange land. – Exodus 2:21-22

God Remembered His Covenant
And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage. And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. – Exodus 2:23-24

God remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He has a covenant with them and with every one of His children. He remembers His covenant with me. Do I remember my covenant with Him?

Covenant – an agreement, usually formal, between two or more persons to do or not do something specified; the conditional promises made to humanity by God as revealed in Scripture; the agreement between God and the Israelites in which God promised to protect them if they kept His law and were faithful to Him.

The Bush Burned with Fire and the Bush Was Not Consumed
Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb. And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed. – Exodus 3:1-2

The Place Whereon Thou Standest is Holy Ground
And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt. And when the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I. And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground. Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God. – Exodus 3:3-6

When God calls me, do I stop and say, Here am I? Do I take my shoes off in reverence? Do I take the time to hear Him?

I Have Seen the Affliction of My People and Heard Their Cry
And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows; and I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites. Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel is come unto me: and I have also seen the oppression wherewith the Egyptians oppress them. Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt. – Exodus 3:7-10

Who Am I, That I Should Go Unto Pharaoh
And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt? And he said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain. – Exodus 3:11-12

I AM THAT I AM
And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them? And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you. – Exodus 3:13-14

Never be ashamed to go forth with the Word of God. I AM THAT I AM sent you too!!!

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Depart Not from the Words of My Mouth
Hear me now therefore, O ye children, And depart not from the words of my mouth. Remove thy way far from her, And come not nigh the door of her house: Lest thou give thine honour unto others, And thy years unto the cruel: Lest strangers be filled with thy wealth; And thy labours be in the house of a stranger; And thou mourn at the last, When thy flesh and thy body are consumed, And say, How have I hated instruction, And my heart despised reproof; And have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, Nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me! I was almost in all evil In the midst of the congregation and assembly. – Proverbs 5:7-14

Now then, my sons, listen to me And do not depart from (forget) the words of my mouth. Let your way [in life] be far from her, And do not go near the door of her house [avoid even being near the places of temptation], Or you will give your honor to others, And your years to the cruel one, And strangers will be filled with your strength And your hard-earned wealth will go to the house of a foreigner [who does not know God]; And you will groan when your life is ending, When your flesh and your body are consumed; And you say, “How I hated instruction and discipline, And my heart despised correction and reproof! I have not listened to the voice of my teachers, Nor have I inclined my ear to those who instructed me. I was almost in total ruin In the midst of the assembly and congregation.” – Proverbs 5:7-14 AMP

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Thou Art My God from My Mother’s Belly
I was cast upon thee from the womb: Thou art my God from my mother’s belly. – Psalm 22:10

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My Father, I come before You this morning at the beginning of this day that You have given to me, and I thank You for the Words You have provided to me. Help them not to depart from them but to ponder them all day long. You are a holy and wonderful God, and as all of the mothers and fathers of the faith living and that have gone before me to be with You, help me to trust in You. Help me to walk out and speak out the faith that You have given me to see those issues of life that loom like great and mighty mountains in people’s lives depart at the declaration of Your Words. Help me to be a woman of prayer and fasting, and help me never to depart from Your Words or forget their revelation and manifestation in my life. Help me remember my covenant with You as I know You will never forget Your covenant with me. Oh, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, change me today so that my life lines up with Your perfect and holy will and plan. Please give me a great burden for the lost and help me to walk in Your Love! Thank You Father for touching our nation, Father. Thank You for giving our leaders encounters with You that save, deliver, and set them on the course You alone have prepared. Help our President and more and more leaders to yield to You and Your commands that they might lead our nation according to Your perfect will. I ask this all in the name of Your beautiful Son, Jesus! Amen! Amen!!!

Day 25 One-Year Daily Bible Reading: Genesis 50:1-Exodus 2:10; Matthew 16:13-17:9; Psalm 21:1-13; Proverbs 5:1-6

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Whom Do Men Say that I Am?
When Jesus came into the coasts of Cæsarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. – Matthew 16:13-14

But Whom Say Ye that I Am?
He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ. – Matthew 16:15-20

Thou Savourest Not the Things that be of God, But Those that be of Men
From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men. – Matthew 16:21-23

He Shall Reward Every Man According to His Works
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom. – Matthew 16:24-28

This is My Beloved Son, in Whom I am Well Pleased
And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, and was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid. And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid. And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only. And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead. – Matthew 17:1-9

Deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Jesus. We are saved by faith, not works but right here we can know that after we are saved, we are to do His works. I often wonder what will that reward look like because one thing I have found about doing His works – there is such a great blessing and reward even as you do them.

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Thou Preventest Him with the Blessings of Goodness
The king shall joy in thy strength, O LORD; And in thy salvation how greatly shall he rejoice! Thou hast given him his heart’s desire, And hast not withholden the request of his lips. Selah. For thou preventest him with the blessings of goodness: Thou settest a crown of pure gold on his head. He asked life of thee, and thou gavest it him, Even length of days for ever and ever. His glory is great in thy salvation: Honour and majesty hast thou laid upon him. For thou hast made him most blessed for ever: Thou hast made him exceeding glad with thy countenance. For the king trusteth in the LORD, And through the mercy of the Most High he shall not be moved. – Psalm 21:1-7

In yesterday’s reading in Psalm 20 David prayed and believed for victory and now in Psalm 21 that victory has happened.

Preventest – to act ahead of; precede; to anticipate; to forestall

God went before him (the king) with His blessings of goodness.

What were those blessings of goodness?
– God settest a crown of pure gold on his head
– He asked life of God and God gave it him
– Even length of days for ever and ever
– God’s glory is great in God’s salvation
– Honor and majesty hast God laid upon him
– God has made him most blessed for ever
– God has made him exceeding glad with thy countenance
– Through the mercy (lovingkindness, faithfulness, goodness) of the Most High God he shall not be moved – he shall never be shaken

When I think about the goodness of God, I think about this verse – Exodus 33:18-19: And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory. And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and i will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.

His glory is His goodness and His goodness is His glory. 

Father, Help us to pray to YOU for our victory. Believe You for our victory. Praise You for the victory given. We ask in Jesus Name! Amen!

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God Will Use the Schemes of the Wicked for Your Good
And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God? But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. – Genesis 50:19-20

The Children of Israel are More and Mightier Than We
Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph. And he said unto his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we: come on, let us deal wisely with them; lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there falleth out any war, they join also unto our enemies, and fight against us, and so get them up out of the land. Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pithom and Raamses. But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel. – Exodus 1:8-12

The Midwives Feared God
And the king of Egypt spake to the Hebrew midwives, of which the name of the one was Shiphrah, and the name of the other Puah: and he said, When ye do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them upon the stools; if it be a son, then ye shall kill him: but if it be a daughter, then she shall live. But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive. – Exodus 1:15-17

Every Son That is Born Ye Shall Cast Into the River
And the king of Egypt called for the midwives, and said unto them, Why have ye done this thing, and have saved the men children alive? And the midwives said unto Pharaoh, Because the Hebrew women are not as the Egyptian women; for they are lively, and are delivered ere the midwives come in unto them. Therefore God dealt well with the midwives: and the people multiplied, and waxed very mighty. And it came to pass, because the midwives feared God, that he made them houses. And Pharaoh charged all his people, saying, Every son that is born ye shall cast into the river, and every daughter ye shall save alive. – Exodus 1:18-22

She Bare a Son
And there went a man of the house of Levi, and took to wife a daughter of Levi. And the woman conceived, and bare a son: and when she saw him that he was a goodly child, she hid him three months. And when she could not longer hide him, she took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch, and put the child therein; and she laid it in the flags by the river’s brink. And his sister stood afar off, to wit what would be done to him. – Exodus 2:1-4

She Brought Him Unto Pharaoh’s Daughter
And the daughter of Pharaoh came down to wash herself at the river; and her maidens walked along by the river’s side; and when she saw the ark among the flags, she sent her maid to fetch it. And when she had opened it, she saw the child: and, behold, the babe wept. And she had compassion on him, and said, This is one of the Hebrews’ children. Then said his sister to Pharaoh’s daughter, Shall I go and call to thee a nurse of the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for thee? And Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, Go. And the maid went and called the child’s mother. And Pharaoh’s daughter said unto her, Take this child away, and nurse it for me, and I will give thee thy wages. And the woman took the child, and nursed it. And the child grew, and she brought him unto Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. – Exodus 2:5-9

She Called His Name Moses
And she called his name Moses: and she said, Because I drew him out of the water. – Exodus 2:5-10

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Attend, Bow, Regard, Keep
My son, attend unto my wisdom, and bow thine ear to my understanding: That thou mayest regard discretion, and that thy lips may keep knowledge. – Proverbs 5:1-2

Attend – to be present at; to take care of, minister to; devote one’s services to; to wait upon; to take charge of.

Bow – to bend the knee or body as in reverence, submission, salutation or acknowledgement; to yield, submit.

Regard – to look upon or think of with a particular feeling; to have or show respect or concern for; to think highly of, esteem.

Keep – to hold or retain in one’s possession; hold as one’s own; to maintain, especially in accordance with specific requirements, a promise.

Oh Father, I come before you today and I ask that you help me to focus my mind on You. Lord, help me to take up my cross today and follow You. Help me to focus on Your will and doing Your good works. Help me to trust in You and yield to Your strength will will carry me and help me to stand firm during the schemes of the enemy. Thank You that You have promised You will use all those evil schemes for good. Thank You that You have given to us an abundance of provision and strength and protection and fruit. Help me now to stand as I know the devil will not let it go without a fight. Show me how my Lord to attend to Your wisdom, to bow and reverence Your understanding, to esteem discretion, so my lips will keep Your knowledge. Lord give me a true and heavy burden for the lost and help me to LOVE like You LOVE. I ask this all in Jesus Name. Amen!!!

Day 24 One-Year Daily Bible Reading – Genesis 48-49; Matthew 15:29-16:12; Psalm20:1-9; Proverbs 4:20-27

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Some trust in chariots and some in horses
Grant thee according to thine own heart, and fulfil all thy counsel. We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the Lord fulfil all thy petitions. Now know I that the Lord saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand. Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God. They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright. – Psalms 20:4-8

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Let my name be named
And he blessed Joseph, and said, God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac did walk, the God which fed me all my life long unto this day, The Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth. – Genesis 48:15-16

Ephraim – His seed shall become a multitude of nations
And when Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand upon the head of Ephraim, it displeased him: and he held up his father’s hand, to remove it from Ephraim’s head unto Manasseh’s head. And Joseph said unto his father, Not so, my father: for this is the firstborn; put thy right hand upon his head. And his father refused, and said, I know it, my son, I know it: he also shall become a people, and he also shall be great: but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his seed shall become a multitude of nations. And he blessed them that day, saying, In thee shall Israel bless, saying, God make thee as Ephraim and as Manasseh: and he set Ephraim before Manasseh. And Israel said unto Joseph, Behold, I die: but God shall be with you, and bring you again unto the land of your fathers. – Genesis 48:17-21

Joseph is a Fruitful Bough
Joseph is a fruitful bough, Even a fruitful bough by a well; Whose branches run over the wall: The archers have sorely grieved him, And shot at him, and hated him: But his bow abode in strength, And the arms of his hands were made strong By the hands of the mighty God of Jacob; (From thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel:) Even by the God of thy father, who shall help thee; And by the Almighty, who shall bless thee With blessings of heaven above, Blessings of the deep that lieth under, Blessings of the breasts, and of the womb: The blessings of thy father Have prevailed above the blessings of my progenitors Unto the utmost bound of the everlasting hills: They shall be on the head of Joseph, And on the crown of the head of him that was separate from his brethren. – Genesis 49:22-26

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Lame, Blind, Dumb, Maimed and Many Others Cast Down at Jesus’ Feet…and He Healed Them
And Jesus departed from thence, and came nigh unto the sea of Galilee; and went up into a mountain, and sat down there. And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus’ feet; and he healed them: insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel. – Matthew 15:29-31

Jesus Took the Loaves and Fishes, Gave Thanks, Brake Them, Gave to His Disciples, His Disciples Gave to the Multitude
Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way. And his disciples say unto him, Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude? And Jesus saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes. And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets full. And they that did eat were four thousand men, beside women and children. And he sent away the multitude, and took ship, and came into the coasts of Magdala. – Matthew 15:32-39

A Wicked and Adulterous Generation Seeketh After a Sign
The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven. He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red. And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times? A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed. And when his disciples were come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread. – Matthew 16:1-5

Beware the Leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees
Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have taken no bread. Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread? Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up? Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up? How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees? Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. – Matthew 16:6-12

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Keep thy heart with all diligence
My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. – Proverbs 4:20-23

Put Away from Thee a Froward Mouth
Put away from thee a froward mouth, And perverse lips put far from thee. Let thine eyes look right on, And let thine eyelids look straight before thee. Ponder the path of thy feet, And let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: Remove thy foot from evil. – Proverbs 4:20-27

Oh Father, Help me always to remember Your beautiful Name. Help me to seek not so much that my name be remembered but that our name be always attached to Yours. Help those around me to know You as they get to know me. That it is be said that someone served the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob (and Melissa) that they would know that they know the God I served was You and You alone. The One True and Living God. Help me today as I begin this day to go forth with Your praise on my lips, Your Word in my heart, and Your Glory surrounding me and all that I am called to do. I ask this in Jesus’ Name. Amen! Amen!

Day 23 One-Year Daily Bible Reading – Genesis 46:1–47:31; Matthew 15:1-28; Psalm 19:1-14; Proverbs 4:14-19

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The Fear of the LORD is Clean, Enduring For Ever
The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. – Psalm 19:7-10

Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable, O Lord
Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward. Who can understand his errors? Cleanse thou me from secret faults. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer. – Psalm 19:11-14

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In today’s passages in Genesis, we learn how the children of Israel (70 in all) got to Egypt. They were saved there and prospered there. They increased in numbers and grew into a great nation there, but they would also be enslaved there for 400 years!

Every shepherd was an abomination to the Egyptians. Shepherds or ministers today are fast becoming an abomination to this world, and yet as in Joseph’s day, being obedient to that call will be what protects, sustains, and grows the Kingdom of God.
And it shall come to pass, when Pharoah shall call you, and shall say, What is your occupation? That ye shall say, Thy servants’ trade hath been about cattle from our youth even until now, both we, and also our fathers: that ye may dwell in the land of Goshen; for every shepherd is an abomination unto the Egyptians. – Genesis 46:33-34

God Spake Unto Israel in the Visions of the Night
And Israel took his journey with all that he had, and came to Beer-sheba, and offered sacrifices unto the God of his father Isaac. And God spake unto Israel in the visions of the night, and said, Jacob, Jacob. And he said, Here am I. And he said, I am God, the God of thy father: fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation: I will go down with thee into Egypt; and I will also surely bring thee up again: and Joseph shall put his hand upon thine eyes. And Jacob rose up from Beer-sheba: and the sons of Israel carried Jacob their father, and their little ones, and their wives, in the wagons which Pharaoh had sent to carry him. And they took their cattle, and their goods, which they had gotten in the land of Canaan, and came into Egypt, Jacob, and all his seed with him: his sons, and his sons’ sons with him, his daughters, and his sons’ daughters, and all his seed brought he with him into Egypt. – Genesis 46:1-7

Joseph fed his family from the bread he had stored. Jesus commands us to feed others with the bread (the Word) we have stored in our hearts,
And Joseph nourished his father, and his brethren, and all his father’s household, with bread, according to their families. – Genesis 47:12

And the Time Drew Night that Israel Must Die
And Israel dwelt in the land of Egypt, in the country of Goshen; and they had possessions therein, and grew, and multiplied exceedingly. And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years: so the whole age of Jacob was an hundred forty and seven years. And the time drew nigh that Israel must die: and he called his son Joseph, and said unto him, If now I have found grace in thy sight, put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh, and deal kindly and truly with me; bury me not, I pray thee, in Egypt: but I will lie with my fathers, and thou shalt carry me out of Egypt, and bury me in their buryingplace. And he said, I will do as thou hast said. And he said, Swear unto me. And he sware unto him. And Israel bowed himself upon the bed’s head. – Genesis 47:27-31

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Enter Not Into the Path of the Wicked
Enter not into the path of the wicked, And go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, Turn from it, and pass away. For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; And their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall. For they eat the bread of wickedness, And drink the wine of violence. – Proverbs 4:14-17

If there is wickedness in my heart, I will stumble (and won’t even know why)
But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble. – Proverbs 4:18-19

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Why Do Thy Disciples Transgress the Tradition of the Elders?
Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying, Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread. – Matthew 15:1-2

Ye Have Made the Commandment of God of No Effect By Your Tradition
But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death. But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; and honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition. – Matthew 15:3-6

It is not what goes into your mouth, but what comes out of your heart – spoken through your mouth – that defines who you are!
“Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people drawers night unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand: Not that which goeth into the mouth defiled a man; but that which comets out of the mouth; this defileth a man.” – Matthew 15:7-11

Every Plant Which My Heavenly Father Hath Not Planted, Shall Be Rooted Up
Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying? But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch. – Matthew 15:12-14

Those Things Which Proceed Out of the Mouth Come Forth from the Heart
Then answered Peter and said unto him, Declare unto us this parable. And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding? Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: these are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man. – Matthew 15:15-20

I am Not Sent but Unto the Lost Sheep of the House of Israel
Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. – Matthew 15:21-24

Yet the Dogs Eat of the Crumbs which Fall from Their Master’s Table
Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs. And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table. Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour. – Matthew 15:25-28

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The Passages that Spoke to My Heart

Thoughts and observations
In Matthew, Jesus quotes the book of Isaiah. That prophecy spoken by Jesus from Isaiah in many ways sums up the ministry of Jesus. He is trying to call the truth out in people’s lives. And the truth is born out in how they conduct themselves, not in what they say. Because what they said showed incredible hypocrisy, control, and hiding. That kind of echos back to Genesis 3 – when Adam and Eve were naked and ashamed. From that moment in Genesis 3, humans have been hiding and putting a false front out there, while the truth remains hidden in the darkness of our hearts. Here Jesus is calling out the truth. He asks them to unite what they say with who they are, not who they pretend to be.

So what was the Scripture in Isaiah that Jesus was quoting? It was Isaiah 29:13 but verses 14 and 15 are so relevant to what Jesus said and what I am mediating on today.

Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid. Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the Lord, and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who seeth us? and who knoweth us? – Isaiah 29:13-15

It was Jesus’ ministry and is no less relevant today. The world we live in now is naked, ashamed, and hiding. We try to present a perfect version of ourselves, but it is exhausting. Why can’t we just relax and be made perfect…for real…so we don’t have to hide? So we can be true and reveal the Kingdom of Heaven that is among us?

Father, transform me through Your Word today. Holy Ghost change me, I pray. Convict me of the meditations of my heart that are not of You and help me to line my actions and words up with Your perfect Word so that they are acceptable in Thy sight. I ask this in the Holy and Beautiful Name of Jesus! Amen!!!

Day 22 One-Year Daily Bible Reading – Genesis 44:1–45:28; Matthew 14:13-36; Psalm 18:37-50; Proverbs 4:11-13

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He Has Given Me Wisdom, Instructed Me, and Led Me (His Instruction is LIFE)
I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths. When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble. Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life. ~ Proverbs 4:11-13

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How Shall I Go Up to My Father, and the Lad Be Not With Me?
Now therefore when I come to thy servant my father, and the lad be not with us; seeing that his life is bound up in the lad’s life; it shall come to pass, when he seeth that the lad is not with us, that he will die: and thy servants shall bring down the gray hairs of thy servant our father with sorrow to the grave. For thy servant became surety for the lad unto my father, saying, If I bring him not unto thee, then I shall bear the blame to my father for ever. Now therefore, I pray thee, let thy servant abide instead of the lad a bondman to my Lord; and let the lad go up with his brethren. For how shall I go up to my father, and the lad be not with me? lest peradventure I see the evil that shall come on my father. – Genesis 44:30-34

God Prepares a Way for Me to Be Fed
And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt. Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life. For these two years hath the famine been in the land: and yet there are five years, in the which there shall neither be earing nor harvest. And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt. ~ Genesis 45:4-8

Israel Said, It is Enough; Joseph My Son is Yet Alive
And they went up out of Egypt, and came into the land of Canaan unto Jacob their father, and told him, saying, Joseph is yet alive, and he is governor over all the land of Egypt. And Jacob’s heart fainted, for he believed them not. And they told him all the words of Joseph, which he had said unto them: and when he saw the wagons which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob their father revived: and Israel said, It is enough; Joseph my son is yet alive: I will go and see him before I die. – Genesis 45:25-28

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The LORD Liveth and Blessed Be My Rock
The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; And let the God of my salvation be exalted. – Psalm 18:46

God Protects, Provides, and Shows Unending Mercy to His Anointed Ones
It is God that avengeth me, and subdueth the people under me. He delivereth me from mine enemies: yea, thou liftest me up above those that rise up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man. Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O Lord, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name. Great deliverance giveth he to his king; and sheweth mercy to his anointed, to David, and to his seed for evermore. ~ Psalms 18:47-50

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Jesus was Moved with Compassion Toward Them
When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities. And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.– Matthew 14:13-14

Give Ye Them to Eat
And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals. But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes. He said, Bring them hither to me. And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full. And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children. – Matthew 14:15-21

Jesus Went Up Into a Mountain Apart to Pray
And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. – Matthew 14:22-23

Jesus Went Unto Them Walking on the Sea
But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. – Matthew 14:24-27

O Thou of Little Faith, Wherefore Didst Thou Doubt?
And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God. – Matthew 14:28-33

That They Might Only Touch the Hem of His Garment
And when they were gone over, they came into the land of Gennesaret. And when the men of that place had knowledge of him, they sent out into all that country round about, and brought unto him all that were diseased; and besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole. – Matthew 14:34-36

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Thank you for Your Word today, Father. Your Word is my Bread, my Purpose, my Protection, my Provision. It is my Instruction and through it I am given Wisdom and Understanding. Truly Your Instruction is LIFE!!!

Day 21 One-Year Daily Bible Reading – Genesis 42:18–43:34; Matthew 13:47–14:12 Psalm 18:16-36; Proverbs 4:7-10

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In our New Testament reading today in Matthew, Jesus continues to use parables to teach about the Kingdom of God. He uses the parable of the net in teaching that at the end of the age, there will be a separation of the righteous and the wicked. Matthew 14 recounts the beheading of John the Baptist, reminding us, just as it did those in Jesus’ day, of the cost of discipleship and the opposition faced when following Him.

The Kingdom of Heaven is Like Unto a Net Cast into the Sea
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, and shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. – Matthew 13:47-50

Every Scribe Which is Instructed Unto the Kingdom of Heaven is Like…
Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord. Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old. – Matthew 13:51-52

Whence Hath this Man this Wisdom, and These Mighty Works?
And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these parables, he departed thence. And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works? Is not this the carpenter’s son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things? And they were offended in him.- Matthew 13:53-57

He Did Not Many Mighty Works There Because of Their Unbelief
But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house. And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief. – Matthew 13:58

Herod Said This is John the Baptist Risen from the Dead
At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus, and said unto his servants, This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead; and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him. – Matthew 14:1-2

Give Me Here John Baptist’s Head in a Charger
For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias’ sake, his brother Philip’s wife. For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her. And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet. But when Herod’s birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod. Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask. And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist’s head in a charger. And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath’s sake, and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded it to be given her. And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison. And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother. And his disciples came, and took up the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus. – Matthew 14:3-12

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In our reading in Genesis today, the story continues of Joseph’s brothers going to Egypt to buy food during a famine. In today’s reading, the brothers have returned to Joseph, bringing Benjamin along as Joseph commanded them to do.

Bring Your Youngest Brother Unto Me
And Joseph said unto them the third day, This do, and live; for I fear God: if ye be true men, let one of your brethren be bound in the house of your prison: go ye, carry corn for the famine of your houses: but bring your youngest brother unto me; so shall your words be verified, and ye shall not die. And they did so. – Genesis 42:18-20

We are Verily Guilty Concerning Our Brother
And they said one to another, We are verily guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the anguish of his soul, when he besought us, and we would not hear; therefore is this distress come upon us. And Reuben answered them, saying, Spake I not unto you, saying, Do not sin against the child; and ye would not hear? therefore, behold, also his blood is required. And they knew not that Joseph understood them; for he spake unto them by an interpreter. And he turned himself about from them, and wept; and returned to them again, and communed with them, and took from them Simeon, and bound him before their eyes. Then Joseph commanded to fill their sacks with corn, and to restore every man’s money into his sack, and to give them provision for the way: and thus did he unto them. – Genesis 42:21-25

My Son Shall Not Go Down with You
And Jacob their father said unto them, Me have ye bereaved of my children: Joseph is not, and Simeon is not, and ye will take Benjamin away: all these things are against me. And Reuben spake unto his father, saying, Slay my two sons, if I bring him not to thee: deliver him into my hand, and I will bring him to thee again. And he said, My son shall not go down with you; for his brother is dead, and he is left alone: if mischief befall him by the way in the which ye go, then shall ye bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave. – Genesis 42:36-38

If I be Bereaved of My Children, I am Bereaved
And their father Israel said unto them, If it must be so now, do this; take of the best fruits in the land in your vessels, and carry down the man a present, a little balm, and a little honey, spices, and myrrh, nuts, and almonds: and take double money in your hand; and the money that was brought again in the mouth of your sacks, carry it again in your hand; peradventure it was an oversight: take also your brother, and arise, go again unto the man: and God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may send away your other brother, and Benjamin. If I be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved. – Genesis 43:11-14

Peace Be to You, Fear Not
And they came near to the steward of Joseph’s house, and they communed with him at the door of the house, and said, O sir, we came indeed down at the first time to buy food: and it came to pass, when we came to the inn, that we opened our sacks, and, behold, every man’s money was in the mouth of his sack, our money in full weight: and we have brought it again in our hand. And other money have we brought down in our hands to buy food: we cannot tell who put our money in our sacks. And he said, Peace be to you, fear not: your God, and the God of your father, hath given you treasure in your sacks: I had your money. And he brought Simeon out unto them. And the man brought the men into Joseph’s house, and gave them water, and they washed their feet; and he gave their asses provender. And they made ready the present against Joseph came at noon: for they heard that they should eat bread there. – Genesis 43:19:25

He Lifted Up His Eyes and Saw His Brother Benjamin
And he lifted up his eyes, and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother’s son, and said, Is this your younger brother, of whom ye spake unto me? And he said, God be gracious unto thee, my son. And Joseph made haste; for his bowels did yearn upon his brother: and he sought where to weep; and he entered into his chamber, and wept there. And he washed his face, and went out, and refrained himself, and said, Set on bread. And they set on for him by himself, and for them by themselves, and for the Egyptians, which did eat with him, by themselves: because the Egyptians might not eat bread with the Hebrews; for that is an abomination unto the Egyptians. – Genesis 43:29-32

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Proverbs Chapter 4:7-9 emphasizes the importance of wisdom and understanding. It teaches us that they are the foundation for a successful and fulfilling life.

Wisdom is the Principal Thing
Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: And with all thy getting get understanding. Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: She shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her. She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: A crown of glory shall she deliver to thee. – Proverbs 4:7-9

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He Delivered Me, Because He Delighted in Me
He brought me forth also into a large place; He delivered me, because he delighted in me. – Psalm 18:19

Thy Gentleness Hath Made Me Great
As for God, his way is perfect: The word of the LORD is tried: He is a buckler to all those that trust in him. For who is God save the LORD? Or who is a rock save our God? It is God that girdeth me with strength, And maketh my way perfect. He maketh my feet like hinds’ feet, And setteth me upon my high places. He teacheth my hands to war, So that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms. Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: And thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great. Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, That my feet did not slip. – Psalm 18:30-36

Day 20 One-Year Daily Bible Reading – Genesis 41:17–42:17; Matthew 13:24-46; Psalm 18:1-15; Proverbs 4:1-6

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Psalm 18 is a powerful reminder of God’s faithfulness, protection, and deliverance. The psalmist declares that God is his rock and fortress. He describes the difficult circumstances in which God saved him and acknowledges it was only through God’s strength and power that he overcame his enemies.

I Will Love Thee, O LORD, My Strength
I will love thee, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: So shall I be saved from mine enemies.- Psalm 18:1-3

It is God that Girdeth Me with Strength
For who is God save the Lord? Or who is a rock save our God? It is God that girdeth me with strength, and markets my way perfect. He markets my feet like hinds’ feet, and setteth me upon my high places. – Psalm 18:31-33

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In Genesis today, the story of Joseph continues as he interprets Pharaoh’s dreams and is subsequently appointed as second in command in Egypt. This section also covers the beginning of Joseph’s reunion with his brothers, who come to Egypt seeking food during a famine.

There is None so Discreet and Wise as Thou Art
And the thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all his servants. And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is? And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art: thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt. – Genesis 41:37-41

Go Unto Joseph; What He Saith to You, Do
And when all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread: and Pharaoh said unto all the Egyptians, Go unto Joseph; what he saith to you, do. And the famine was over all the face of the earth: And Joseph opened all the storehouses, and sold unto the Egyptians; and the famine waxed sore in the land of Egypt. And all countries came into Egypt to Joseph for to buy corn; because that the famine was so sore in all lands. – Genesis 41:55-57

Joseph’s Brothers Came and Bowed Down Themselves Before Him
And Joseph was the governor over the land, and he it was that sold to all the people of the land: and Joseph’s brethren came, and bowed down themselves before him with their faces to the earth. And Joseph saw his brethren, and he knew them, but made himself strange unto them, and spake roughly unto them; and he said unto them, Whence come ye? And they said, From the land of Canaan to buy food. And Joseph knew his brethren, but they knew not him. And Joseph remembered the dreams which he dreamed of them, and said unto them, Ye are spies; to see the nakedness of the land ye are come. – Genesis 42:6-9

One is Not
And they said, Thy servants are twelve brethren, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan; and, behold, the youngest is this day with our father, and one is not. – Genesis 42:13

Hereby Ye Shall Be Proved
hereby ye shall be proved: By the life of Pharaoh ye shall not go forth hence, except your youngest brother come hither. Send one of you, and let him fetch your brother, and ye shall be kept in prison, that your words may be proved, whether there be any truth in you: or else by the life of Pharaoh surely ye are spies. And he put them all together into ward three days. – Genesis 42:15-17

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In the New Testament today, we read Matthew 13:24-46. Jesus speaks with His followers using several parables. The most well-known parable in this section is the Parable of the Mustard Seed. Here, Jesus says the Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed. The seed is tiny in appearance but grows into a large tree. Jesus also shares the Parable of the Yeast, where he compares the Kingdom of Heaven to yeast mixed into flour that causes the dough to rise. These two parables emphasize that even small actions obeying His will can lead to significant growth and impact. Other parables in today’s reading were the parable of the wheat and tares, the treasure hidden in the field, and the pearl of great price.

The Kindom of Heaven is Likened to a Man Which Sowed Good Seed
Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn. – Matthew 13:24-30

The Kingdom of Heaven is Like to a Grain of Mustard Seed
Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof. – Matthew 13:31-32

The Kingdom of Heaven is Like Unto Leaven
Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened. – Matthew 13:33

Without a Parable Spake He Not Unto Them
All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world. – Matthew 13:34-35

Declare Unto Us the Parable of the Tares
Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field. He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; the field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; the enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; and shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. – Matthew 13:36-43

The Kingdom of Heaven is Like Unto Treasure Hid in a Field
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. – Matthew 13:44

The Kingdom of Heaven is Like A Merchant Man, Seeking Pearls
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. – Matthew 13:45-46

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Proverbs 4:1-6 advises children to listen to their father’s instruction and to pay attention to his teachings, for they will provide them with good guidance and understanding. It emphasizes the importance of acquiring wisdom and knowledge to make the right choices in life.

She Shall Preserve Thee, She Shall Keep Thee
Get wisdom, get understanding: Forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: Love her, and she shall keep thee. – Proverbs 4:5-6

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More Thoughts on Psalm 18
In Psalm 18 – The Psalmist said the Lord is my rock. A rock is a symbol of power and strength. It speaks to me of a firm foundation. He says the Lord is my fortress. A fortress is a fortified place – a secure and strong place. The Lord is my deliverer – to be delivered means to be brought or transported to a proper place. 

He says the Lord is his Strength. Indeed the LORD is our strength – if we allow Him to be. We can see in our reading that Joseph had physical, emotional, and spiritual strength as he trusted the Lord throughout his life. 

The psalmist said the Lord was his buckler. A buckler is a shield used to support, defend, protect. The Lord was Joseph’s protector and defender. 

The psalmist says that the Lord is the horn of his salvation. What is that? It is a common biblical symbol of victory of being rescued from oppression. He is saying the LORD is his rescuer. The LORD was the Horn of Joseph’s salvation.

And then the psalmist says the Lord is his high tower. He is his refuge. He sits him in a high place where he can see the things of his world but live above them. 

Is the Lord your Rock? Your Fortress? Your Deliverer? Your Strength? Your Defense? The Horn of Your Salvation? Your High Tower? He will be if you allow Him to be…even as he was all of these for Joseph.

Verse three of Psalm 18 goes on to say – I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies. He is worthy to be praised, so let’s end here today as even the psalmist began this Psalm by saying – I LOVE THEE O LORD!!!

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Day 19 One-Year Daily Bible Reading – Genesis 39:1–41:16; Matthew 12:46–13:23; Psalm 17:1-15; Proverbs 3:33-35

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Today, our Proverbs state that the Lord’s curse is on the house of the wicked, but his blessing is on the home of the righteous. He opposes mockers but shows favor to the humble and oppressed. The wise will be honored, but fools disgraced.

The Wise Shall Inherit Glory
The wise shall inherit glory: But shame shall be the promotion of fools. – Proverbs 3:35

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In our reading today in Genesis, Joseph’s brothers sold him and he went to live as a slave to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh. The Lord is with Joseph, and Potiphar knows it, so he puts Joseph in charge of his household. In time, Potiphar’s wife tries to seduce Joseph, but he resists her advances. One day, she grabs Joseph’s garment, and Joseph flees. Then, she falsely accuses him of attempting to assault her. Potiphar is angry and throws Joseph into prison. But the Lord is still with Joseph and blesses him even in prison.

His Master Saw that the LORD was with Him
And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand. And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand. And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the LORD was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field. And he left all that he had in Joseph’s hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favoured. – Genesis 39:3-6

That Which He Did the LORD Made it to Prosper
And Joseph’s master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king’s prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison. But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison. And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer of it. The keeper of the prison looked not to any thing that was under his hand; because the LORD was with him, and that which he did, the LORD made it to prosper. – Genesis 39:20-23

Do Not Interpretations Belong to God?
And the captain of the guard charged Joseph with them, and he served them: and they continued a season in ward. And they dreamed a dream both of them, each man his dream in one night, each man according to the interpretation of his dream, the butler and the baker of the king of Egypt, which were bound in the prison. And Joseph came in unto them in the morning, and looked upon them, and, behold, they were sad. And he asked Pharaoh’s officers that were with him in the ward of his Lord’s house, saying, Wherefore look ye so sadly to day? And they said unto him, We have dreamed a dream, and there is no interpreter of it. And Joseph said unto them, Do not interpretations belong to God? tell me them, I pray you. – Genesis 40:4-8

Pharaoh Dreamed
And it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed: and, behold, he stood by the river. – Genesis 41:1

There was None that Could Interpret
And it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled; and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt, and all the wise men thereof: and Pharaoh told them his dream; but there was none that could interpret them unto Pharaoh. – Genesis 41:8

Pharaoh Sent and Called Joseph
Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon: and he shaved himself, and changed his raiment, and came in unto Pharaoh. – Genesis 41:14

It is Not in Me: God Shall Give Pharaoh an Answer of Peace
And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and there is none that can interpret it: and I have heard say of thee, that thou canst understand a dream to interpret it. And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace. – Genesis 41:15-16

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Matthew 12:46-13:23 tells of Jesus’ mother and brothers coming to see him and his response that his true family are those who do the will of God. Jesus also teaches the crowds in parables, including the parable of the sower, which describes different reactions to the Word of God and the importance of having a receptive heart to receive the Word.

Who is My Mother? And Who are My Brethren?
While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him. Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother. – Matthew 12:46-50

Great Multitudes Gathered Together Unto Him
The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side. And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore. – Matthew 13:1-2

He Spake Many Things Unto Them in Parables
And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow; and when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: and when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: but other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. – Matthew 13:3-9

Why Speakest Thou Unto Them in Parables?
And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. – Matthew 13:10-12

In Them is Fulfilled the Prophecy of Esaias
Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; And seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people’s heart is waxed gross, And their ears are dull of hearing, And their eyes they have closed; Lest at any time they should see with their eyes, And hear with their ears, And should understand with their heart, And should be converted, and I should heal them. – Matthew 13:13-15

The Prophecy – And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed. – Isaiah‬ ‭6:9-10‬‬‬

Blessed are Your Eyes for They See, and Your Ears for They Hear
But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them. – Matthew 13:16-17

Hear Ye Therefore the Parable of the Sower
Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. – Matthew 13:18-23

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Psalm 17 is a prayer for protection and justice, where the Psalmist asks God to defend him against his enemies and to vindicate him from false accusations.

Hold Up My Goings in Thy Paths
Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer. Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not. – Psalm 17:4-5

Keep Me as the Apple of the Eye
Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings. – Psalm 17:8

I Shall Be Satisfied, When I Awake, with Thy Likeness
As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness. – Psalm 17:15

Day 18 One-Year Daily Bible Reading – Genesis 37:1–38:30; Matthew 12:22-45; Psalm 16:1-11; Proverbs 3:27-32

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As we continue in Matthew 12, Jesus encounters issues with the Pharisees. In one of these encounters, Jesus heals a demon-possessed man who is both blind and mute. The Pharisees accuse Jesus of using Satan’s power to perform the miracle, but Jesus rebukes them and explains it is through God’s power He casts out demons. Jesus warns of the consequences of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, emphasizing the importance of bearing good fruit in your life.

This Fellow Doth Not Cast Out Devils But by Beelzebub
Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw. And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David? But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils. – Matthew 12:22-24

Every Kingdom Divided Against Itself is Brought to Desolation
And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: and if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand? And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges. But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you. Or else how can one enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house. He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad. – Matthew 12:25-30

The Blasphemy Against the Holy Ghost Shall Not Be Forgiven
Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come. – Matthew 12:31-32

The Tree is Known By His Fruit
Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit. O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. – Matthew 12:33-35

You Will Give Account for Every Idle Word
But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. – Matthew 12:36-37

An Evil and Adulterous Generation Seeketh After a Sign
Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: for as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. – Matthew 12:38-40

Men of Nineveh and Queen of the South Shall Rise in Judgment
The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here. The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here. – Matthew 12:41-42

When the Unclean Spirit is Gone Out of a Man
When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation. – Matthew 12:43-45

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In today’s reading of Genesis 37, we have the story of Joseph, the son of Jacob (now Israel), who is sold into slavery by his jealous brothers. The chapter includes Joseph’s famous coat of many colors and his dreams of future greatness. It also tells of the lengths the brothers went to cover up their acts done in jealousy. In Genesis 38, the focus shifts to Judah, another of Jacob’s sons, and his relationship with his daughter-in-law, Tamar. Both chapters involve deceit and the consequences of deceitfulness. Both chapters remind me of something a pastor used to say frequently – 

Sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay

Israel Loved Joseph More Than All His Children
Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours. And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him. – Genesis 37:3-4

Joseph Told His Brothers His Dream
And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren: and they hated him yet the more. And he said unto them, Hear, I pray you, this dream which I have dreamed: for, behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright; and, behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf. And his brethren said to him, Shalt thou indeed reign over us? or shalt thou indeed have dominion over us? And they hated him yet the more for his dreams, and for his words. – Genesis 37:5-8

Joseph Told His Brothers Another Dream
And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me. And he told it to his father, and to his brethren: and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth? And his brethren envied him; but his father observed the saying. – Genesis 37:9-11

Joseph’s Brothers Dip His Coat in Blood, Jacob Mourns
And they took Joseph’s coat, and killed a kid of the goats, and dipped the coat in the blood; and they sent the coat of many colours, and they brought it to their father; and said, This have we found: know now whether it be thy son’s coat or no. And he knew it, and said, It is my son’s coat; an evil beast hath devoured him; Joseph is without doubt rent in pieces. And Jacob rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his loins, and mourned for his son many days. And all his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him; but he refused to be comforted; and he said, For I will go down into the grave unto my son mourning. Thus his father wept for him. – Genesis 37:31-35

Tamar Went and Dwelt in Her Father’s House
Then said Judah to Tamar his daughter in law, Remain a widow at thy father’s house, till Shelah my son be grown: for he said, Lest peradventure he die also, as his brethren did. And Tamar went and dwelt in her father’s house. – Genesis 38:11

Tamar Put Her Widow’s Garments Off
And it was told Tamar, saying, Behold thy father in law goeth up to Timnath to shear his sheep. And she put her widow’s garments off from her, and covered her with a vail, and wrapped herself, and sat in an open place, which is by the way to Timnath; for she saw that Shelah was grown, and she was not given unto him to wife. When Judah saw her, he thought her to be an harlot; because she had covered her face. And he turned unto her by the way, and said, Go to, I pray thee, let me come in unto thee; (for he knew not that she was his daughter in law.) And she said, What wilt thou give me, that thou mayest come in unto me? And he said, I will send thee a kid from the flock. And she said, Wilt thou give me a pledge, till thou send it? And he said, What pledge shall I give thee? And she said, Thy signet, and thy bracelets, and thy staff that is in thine hand. And he gave it her, and came in unto her, and she conceived by him. And she arose, and went away, and laid by her vail from her, and put on the garments of her widowhood. – Genesis 38:13-19

Tamar Hath Been More Righteous than I
And it came to pass about three months after, that it was told Judah, saying, Tamar thy daughter in law hath played the harlot; and also, behold, she is with child by whoredom. And Judah said, Bring her forth, and let her be burnt. When she was brought forth, she sent to her father in law, saying, By the man, whose these are, am I with child: and she said, Discern, I pray thee, whose are these, the signet, and bracelets, and staff. And Judah acknowledged them, and said, She hath been more righteous than I; because that I gave her not to Shelah my son. And he knew her again no more. – Genesis 38:24-26

Twins Were in Tamar’s Womb
And it came to pass in the time of her travail, that, behold, twins were in her womb. And it came to pass, when she travailed, that the one put out his hand: and the midwife took and bound upon his hand a scarlet thread, saying, This came out first. And it came to pass, as he drew back his hand, that, behold, his brother came out: and she said, How hast thou broken forth? this breach be upon thee: therefore his name was called Pharez. And afterward came out his brother, that had the scarlet thread upon his hand: and his name was called Zarah. – Genesis 38:27-30

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Psalm 16 is a beautiful expression of trust in God attributed to King David. It speaks of finding refuge in God, the joy of being in His presence, and the assurance of His faithful care. The psalm also contains Messianic prophecy, with verses 8-11 pointing towards the resurrection of Christ. This psalm is a source of comfort and inspiration for believers and includes one of my all-time favorite verses and promises of God.

Thou wilt shew me the path of life: In thy presence is fulness of joy; At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. – Psalm‬ ‭16‬:‭11‬ ‭

The LORD is the Portion of Mine Inheritance
The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: Thou maintainest my lot. The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; Yea, I have a goodly heritage. – Psalm 16:5-6

Neither Wilt Thou Suffer Thine Holy One to See Corruption
I have set the LORD always before me: Because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: My flesh also shall rest in hope. For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; Neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou wilt shew me the path of life: In thy presence is fulness of joy; At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. – Psalm‬ ‭16‬:‭8‬-‭11‬ ‭

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Proverbs 3:27-32 advises individuals not to withhold good from those deserving of it when they can help them. Do not plot against your neighbors or accuse someone without reason. Do not envy violent people or those that oppress others, and do not choose their ways! The Lord detests such but takes into His confidence the upright.

Withhold Not Good from Them to Whom it is Due, When it is in the Power of Thine Hand to Do It
Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, When it is in the power of thine hand to do it. Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, And to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee. Devise not evil against thy neighbour, Seeing he dwelleth securely by thee. Strive not with a man without cause, If he have done thee no harm. – Proverbs‬ ‭3‬:‭27‬-‭30‬ ‭

The Froward is Abomination to the LORD
Envy thou not the oppressor, And choose none of his ways. For the froward is abomination to the LORD: But his secret is with the righteous. – Proverbs 3:31-32

Froward – willfully contrary; not easily managed

Day 17 One-Year Daily Bible Reading – Genesis 35:1–36:43; Matthew 12:1-21; Psalm 15:1-5; Proverbs 3:21-26

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In Matthew 12:1-21 Jesus’ disciples pluck corn and eat, and Jesus heals a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath. The Pharisees are right there to question, critique, and accuse. Jesus answers, and the Pharisees gather to discuss how they can destroy Jesus. So, Jesus, knowing this, withdrew from the Pharisees and healed many of the people following Him. The passage for today concludes by sharing how Jesus fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah by not quarreling or shouting in the streets.

His Disciples Were an Hungred and Began to Pluck the Ears of Corn
At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat. But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day. – Matthew 12:1-2

In This Place is One Greater than the Temple
But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him; how he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests? Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless? But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple. But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless. For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day. – Matthew 12:3-8

Is it Lawful to Heal on the Sabbath
And when he was departed thence, he went into their synagogue: and, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him. And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days. Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other. – Matthew 12:9-13

That it Might Be Fulfilled Which was Spoken by Esaias the Prophet
Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him. But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all; and charged them that they should not make him known: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; My beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, And he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles. He shall not strive, nor cry; Neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed shall he not break, And smoking flax shall he not quench, Till he send forth judgment unto victory. And in his name shall the Gentiles trust. – Matthew 12:14-21

The Prophecy
Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street. A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth. He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law. – Isaiah 42:1-4

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In today’s reading in Genesis, God commands Jacob to go to Bethel and build an altar to Him. Jacob and his family leave Shechem and travel to Bethel, where Jacob has a vision of God, and God reaffirms Jacob’s name, now Israel. He built the altar, and God blessed him. Rachel dies giving birth to Benjamin, and Israel buries her in Bethlehem. Reuben sleeps with Bilhah, one of his father’s wives, and Israel hears about it. The remaining text lists the descendants of Esau, known as Edom. These descendants of Esau became the Edomites and lived in the land of Seir. The end of the passage sets the stage for future conflicts between the Israelites and the Edomites.

Arise, Go Up to Bethel and Dwell There
And God said unto Jacob, Arise, go up to Beth-el, and dwell there: and make there an altar unto God, that appeared unto thee when thou fleddest from the face of Esau thy brother. Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that were with him, Put away the strange gods that are among you, and be clean, and change your garments: and let us arise, and go up to Beth-el; and I will make there an altar unto God, who answered me in the day of my distress, and was with me in the way which I went. – Genesis 35:1-3

He Built There an Altar
So Jacob came to Luz, which is in the land of Canaan, that is, Beth-el, he and all the people that were with him. And he built there an altar, and called the place El-beth-el: because there God appeared unto him, when he fled from the face of his brother. – Genesis 35:6-7

God Appeared Unto Jacob Again and Blessed Him
And God appeared unto Jacob again, when he came out of Padan-aram, and blessed him. And God said unto him, Thy name is Jacob: thy name shall not be called any more Jacob, but Israel shall be thy name: and he called his name Israel. And God said unto him, I am God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall be of thee, and kings shall come out of thy loins; and the land which I gave Abraham and Isaac, to thee I will give it, and to thy seed after thee will I give the land. And God went up from him in the place where he talked with him. And Jacob set up a pillar in the place where he talked with him, even a pillar of stone: and he poured a drink offering thereon, and he poured oil thereon. And Jacob called the name of the place where God spake with him, Beth-el. – Genesis 35:9-15

Rachel Travailed and Died as Benjamin was Born
And they journeyed from Beth-el; and there was but a little way to come to Ephrath: and Rachel travailed, and she had hard labour. And it came to pass, when she was in hard labour, that the midwife said unto her, Fear not; thou shalt have this son also. And it came to pass, as her soul was in departing, (for she died) that she called his name Ben-oni: but his father called him Benjamin. And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath, which is Beth-lehem. And Jacob set a pillar upon her grave: that is the pillar of Rachel’s grave unto this day. – Genesis 35:16-20

Isaac Died
And Jacob came unto Isaac his father unto Mamre, unto the city of Arbah, which is Hebron, where Abraham and Isaac sojourned. And the days of Isaac were an hundred and fourscore years. And Isaac gave up the ghost, and died, and was gathered unto his people, being old and full of days: and his sons Esau and Jacob buried him. – Genesis 35:27-29

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Psalm 15 describes those who dwell in God’s presence. What stood out to me was the importance of living a blameless life, speaking truth, and treating others respectfully and fairly. 

Who Shall Dwell in Thy Holy Hill?
LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? Who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, Nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour. In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; But he honoureth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not. He that putteth not out his money to usury, Nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved. – Psalm 15:1-5

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Let Not Them (Wisdom, Understanding, Knowledge) Depart from Thine Eyes
My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: Keep sound wisdom and discretion: So shall they be life unto thy soul, And grace to thy neck. Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, And thy foot shall not stumble. When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: Yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet. Be not afraid of sudden fear, Neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh. For the LORD shall be thy confidence, And shall keep thy foot from being taken. – Proverbs 3:21-26

Heavenly Father, I come to you today and thank you for Your Word in Proverbs 3:21-26. I pray that You would help me keep Your wisdom, knowledge, and understanding before me and Your commands in my heart so that I may walk in Your ways and live a life that honors You.

I trust in You, Lord, and pray that You fill me with Your peace and protect me from all schemes of the enemy to bring fear and distraction. May Your love and faithfulness be my constant companions, and may I walk today and always in the light of Your glorious presence.

I ask all these things in the name of Your precious and holy Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

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