Birth of Benjamin (Gen. 35:16-17)

 

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 04-25-2007

 

My Worship Time                                                                       Focus:  Birth of Benjamin

 

Bible Reading & Meditation                                   Reference:  Genesis 35:16-17

 

            Message of the verses:  “16 Then they journeyed from Bethel; and when there was still some distance to go to Ephrath, Rachel began to give birth and she suffered severe labor.  17 When she was in severe labor the midwife said to her, ‘Do not fear, for now you have another son.’”

           

            Rachel asked for another son when Joseph was born and now she will have another son, but she will not survive the birth of her second son.  I want to go back a few chapters to when Laban had chased down Jacob and his family.  Before leaving Rachel had stolen her father’s idols, but when Laban accused Jacob of stealing those idols Jacob made a rash statement that anyone who had stolen those idols would die.  Later on when revival came into the camp of Jacob he burned all of the idols that he had found and I believe that he knew at that time that Rachel was the one who stole them.  The reason for revisiting this story at this time is it could be that because of Jacob’s rash remarks that he lost his wife.

 

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  It is not good to make rash statements for any reason, for when I do this, and I do it far too often, I do it out of pride, whereas I should always be humble.  Why should I always be humble?  God gave me everything by His grace and mercy, so therefore I have nothing to be bragging about except of course to the things that God has given to me.  Paul said something similar in his writings.

 

The Word of God has been convicting to my heart as I read and studied His Word this morning.

 

My Steps of Faith Today:  Continue to rely upon the Lord to give Sandy and I strength and grace to handle the trials that He has brought into our lives, and to continue to seek contentment, and to continue to ask the Lord to direct my paths.

 

While doing my devotions yesterday morning it seemed that the Lord spoke to me through His Word and I want to put these verses down this morning so I am sure to remember them.  “11 Then Asa cried out to the LORD his God, ‘O LORD, no one but you can help the powerless against the mighty! Help us, O LORD our God, for we trust in you alone. It is in your name that we have come against this vast horde. O LORD, you are our God; do not let mere men prevail against you!’”