Day 16 - Genesis 25:12-18 and Psalm 16

 Julie

I am not sure there is much to say about today's passage. It's a genealogy of the rest of Abraham's children and proof of God's covenant to them. According the the study Bible explanation, it is just there to make record of the rest of them and to show that God did what he said he would. There doesn't seem to be much more to it than that.

Psalm 16 seems to be a song expressing thanks and praise for the love and faithfulness of God. These words remind us that we can trust in God and that he will provide (what he things we need). 

I guess not much stood out today for me...maybe someone else has more insight today.

 

Michelle

Yes this appears to be the account of Ishmael's family line and that God kept his promise to build him into a tribe of 12 nations.  My bible also says that they lived in hostility to all the tribes related to them.  Which was also what God had told Hagar earlier in his life.  My only thought is that it is showing God will keep his promises, which seems to be something the humans need to see in order to maintain their trust in God.  

I agree the psalm is about praise and faithfulness to God.  And also Joy.  This psalm seems very joyous to me.  Talking about the heart being glad and the tongue rejoicing.  The part that stood out to me was the line that says, "my body also will rest secure".  Not sure why but this one keeps coming back to me.  Maybe cuz I haven't slept well this week, or maybe something unrelated.  But it stands out for some reason.  Coincidence that this is the verse the pastor posted about today.  The sermon series right now is called Clean Slate.  I missed last week's but he's been posting daily verses, devotionals, and prayers relating to this topic and today's was Psalm 16.  This is what he said today.  "The Psalms leave no room for any kind of middle ground:  you are either walking in the path of life or the path of death.  While the latter is often depicted as the way of destruction and judgment, true joy, satisfaction, delight, and contentment are only found for those walking in the presence of God.  The closer you follow the Lord, the more you will experience the Joy of the Lord."  His prayer for today is this:  Lord, teach me to walk closer with You so that I may experience the fullness of Your joy.  I found this very powerful.   His explanation and the prayer.  I will be adding this one to my prayer list.