Category: Through the Bible Devotions

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Excuses, excuses, excuses

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by MART PRODUCTION on pexels.com

A “through the bible” devotion from Exodus 3 and 4.

Everyone needs a collection of excuses.

  • I didn’t know.
  • No one told me.
  • I forgot.
  • It wasn’t me.
  • It wasn’t my fault.
  • I didn’t get the message.
  • My phone was dead.
  • I thought it was at a different time.
  • Someone took it.
  • My dog ate it.
  • My mom didn’t wake me up.
  • Everyone else was doing it.

It’s fun to make a list of excuses you can use when you’ve messed up, forgot to do something, or don’t want to do something. Take a moment and add another twelve or so to my list. You’ll be more than equipped to handle anyone’s demands and expectations.

You’ve got to hand it to Moses. He’s got the guts to offer up excuses to the Almighty God.

“Who am I?” I’m don’t have the resume or experience to bring Israel out of Egypt.

“Don’t worry about it. I’ll be there with you.”

“What if they ask me your name? I don’t even know your name.”

“I am who I am.” Just call me, “I am.” (Yahweh)

“What if no one will believe me or listen to me?”

Just wait till your staff turns into a snake. Or you hand becomes leprous. They’ll believe you.

“I’m not eloquent.”

I know. I made you, complete with mouth, ears, and eyes. I know what you can do.

It’s kind of like a reverse interview. Moses is trying to convince God to not hire him. Too bad, Moses. I mean, “Congratulations! You’ve got the job!”

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

What if the answer to your prayer is…you?

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦 on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Exodus 3.

In the song “Do Something” Matthew West sings

I woke up this morning
Saw a world full of trouble now
Thought, how’d we ever get so far down
How’s it ever gonna turn around
So I turned my eyes to Heaven
I thought, “God, why don’t You do something?”
Well, I just couldn’t bear the thought of
People living in poverty
Children sold into slavery
The thought disgusted me
So, I shook my fist at Heaven
Said, “God, why don’t You do something?”
He said, “I did, I created you.”

After Moses removes his shoes in the presence of God who is speaking from the burning bush, the Lord says, “I have surely seen the affliction of my people…and I have come down to deliver them…Come, I will send you” (Exodus 3:7-10). It’s all good news until that last part. In response to the cries of his people, God is sending Moses.

When Moses asks, “Who, me?” God replies, “Don’t worry, I’ll be there, too” (Exodus 3:11,12).

It’s an easy trap to fall into. I’ll send my prayer requests to God and then sit back as he takes care of me, my situation, and my friends’ needs. I’ll ask, seek, and knock because I know he can do it, I know he cares, and I trust him. I’ll call on him in the day of trouble, he’ll deliver me, and I’ll glorify him.

Well, it turns out that I’m not in the bleachers but on the field. I’m the hands and feet of Jesus. He alleviates hunger, loneliness, conflict, despair and grief through the church. That means me and people just like me.

So when you feel that nudge to call, visit, give, apologize, invite, or write to someone, don’t think, “Who, me?” Just do it. Let God do his thing through you and with you.

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Thanks for taking off your shoes

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Jordan Whitt on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Exodus 3.

One of my granddaughters recently challenged me, “Where are your socks?”

You see, she leaves her socks on when she takes off her shoes. She even sleeps in socks. I usually walk barefoot around the house.

There are some things best done in bare feet:

  • Walking on the beach
  • Yoga
  • Measuring your height
  • Swimming
  • Talking to God

When God spoke to Moses out of a burning bush he said, “Take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground” (Exodus 3:5). I don’t think they had socks back then, so I assume this left Moses in his bare feet.

Like me, you’re probably wondering why this is a thing. In Egypt, where Moses grew up, priests took off their sandals when they went into their temples. In eastern countries, worshipers take off their shoes before entering synagogues or mosques. It’s a symbolic way of acknowledging uncleanness or unworthiness in the presence of a deity.

Don’t you hit your shoe against the side of the car before you get in so you don’t get too much dirt or sand on the floor? Or imagine a parent saying, “Take off your shoes. I just mopped. Don’t track more dirt in here.”

Liturgical Christian worship usually begins with confession and absolution. Guess what? That’s just like taking off your sandals or knocking off some dirt before you step into a place of worship.

Lol. I want to go to a church someday where there’s a whole bunch of shoes lined up outside the doors.

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Just another amazing day

Posted on by William Douthwaite

A “through the bible” devotion from Genesis 45.

You have to blame somebody, right? Your parents, noisy neighbors, politicians, the kids, lawyers, greedy CEOs, a spouse (current or ex), the liberals, the conservatives. Whoever.

Joseph says, “It was not you who sent me here, but God” (Genesis 45:8).

After what his brothers did to him? They sold him to a passing caravan. He ended up as a slave, a prisoner, and finally got a decent job in Egypt working for Pharaoh.

But it wasn’t home. And it wasn’t his family. And it was out of his control.

But in hindsight, it was God. God was to blame. Or God gets the credit for working out a long range plan to save not just Joseph, but his whole family. In hindsight, it was only something God could do.

“Today” may seem to have little rhyme or reason. Purpose is often shrouded in everyday routines, chores, and appointments. What a blessing to stop and realize that God’s been working on “today” for a long time. It’s significant. It’s memorable. And it’s praiseworthy.

Posted in Devotions, Through the Bible Devotions

Dream, dream, dream

Posted on by William Douthwaite

A “through the bible” devotion from Genesis 40 and 41.

I know I do a lot of dreaming, but I hardly ever remember them when I wake up. If I do, I’ll write them down, but that rarely happens.

Dreams are such an important part of Joseph’s life. When he was younger (Genesis 37) he used his dreams to antagonize his family. Later, his interpretation of dreams will get him out of prison and into a new position under the Pharaoh.

But it’s not all about Joseph. “Do not interpretations belong to God?” (Genesis 40) God used them to communicate important truths to other prisoners and eventual to Pharaoh.

When I do remember a dream, maybe I should ask God, “What was that all about?” I wonder if he’ll have any insights for me. People have written volumes about dream interpretation. I guess some of it makes sense. However, some stuff is way, way out there.

I know, I know, God speaks to us through his Son, the Word. I’m not waiting for a dream revelation. Again, I just want to know, “What’s that all about?”

Posted in Devotions, Through the Bible Devotions

Joseph does well, considering

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Patricia Prudente on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Genesis 39.

It’s good to know that growing up in a dysfunctional family doesn’t limit your chances of success.

So far Reuben has slept with one of his father’s concubines. Simeon and Levi are violent and abusive. Judah sleeps with his daughter-in-law, who has dressed up like a prostitute. One by one Jacob’s sons are discredited.

However, Joseph is doing well. In fact, the Lord made all that he did prosper as a slave and a prisoner (Genesis 39:3,23). He didn’t get the job he wanted. He’s not living near family. But he got to travel and meet a lot of interesting people.

It’s good to know that neither your family nor your circumstances determine your future. Those are colors in the palette God uses to shape your life, use you, and introduce you to others along the way.

I’d say all families are dysfunctional in some ways. In some situations, it’s obvious. Sometimes it’s subtle. Just because you’re related doesn’t mean y’all get along. It just means you’re a family!

Posted in Devotions, Through the Bible Devotions

Playing favorites

Posted on by William Douthwaite

A “through the Bible devotion” from Genesis 37.

Sibling rivalry. It’s real. It’s a challenge. Even among God’s chosen ones.

Jacob had twelve sons, but he also had a favorite.

“Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his other sons” (Genesis‬ ‭37‬:‭3).

You don’t have to be a genius to know that’s going to be a problem.

Joseph’s brothers were jealous of him. They had nothing nice to say about him. They hated him enough to kill him.

They almost did. Instead, they sold him. They sold their brother! When the passing caravan leaves, Joseph is with them, on his way to Egypt.

The family is a good place to practice for life. In a real world, some win, some lose. Some have, some go without. Some succeed, others fail. Not everyone gets a trophy. Some go home empty handed.

How do you feel when someone else succeeds? What goes on in your mind when someone else wins, gets promoted, or takes yet another fantastic trip. It’s not fair, is it?

Does it make you jealous? Do you hate them? Do you start planning a murder? I hope not. But you’re never going to treat them the same. Not if they’re blessed and you get nothing.

Sibling rivalry exists among God’s children. Why? I don’t know. I guess that’s just the ways families work. When that happens, put your blinders on. Keep your eye on Jesus, not someone else. It makes life a lot easier.

Posted in Devotions, neighbor, neighborhood, Through the Bible Devotions

The new neighbor

Posted on by William Douthwaite

A “through the bible” devotion from Genesis 34 and 35.

We try to be good neighbors. You know, friendly, keep an eye on each other’s houses, keep the yard looking nice, and pick up trash. Smile.

Most of our neighbors are like that. But not all. Some yards are kind of trashy. Some throw garbage into vacant lots. Some don’t seem to know how to smile. a few are kind of scary looking.

Jacob’s neighbors weren’t fond of him when he brought his family back to Canaan. After Simeon and Levi avenged the abuse of their sister Dinah, Jacob feared attacks from the locals (34:30). But the locals were afraid of them and avoided them (Genesis 35:5).

I guess that’s ok. But I’d rather the neighbors bring me a plate of cookies. I’d want to introduce myself (and my dogs) and get to know them (and their dogs). Let’s exchange smiles rather than scowls.

If kid’s won’t even knock on your door at Halloween, you might want to give a wave or crack a smile once in a while.

Posted in Devotions, Through the Bible Devotions

Wrestling with God

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Chris Chow on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Genesis 32.

I vividly remember wrestling with all of my three children. They were toddlers, and I would lie on the floor, hug them to my chest, and roll back and forth saying, “Wrestlin’, wrestlin’, wrestlin’!” Of course, I didn’t use even a fraction of my strength. I wasn’t in it to win, but to enjoy some silly dad time with them. The giggles were the best part.

“Then Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak.” 

In the heat of the moment, Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”

When it was all over, “Jacob named the place Peniel, for he said, ‘I have seen God face to face, yet my life has been spared.'” (Genesis 32:24-30)

I think it’s fascinating that Jacob tries to wrestle a blessing out of God. Jacob’s life is filled with God’s blessing. He ran away from home with nothing, and returns with all kinds of family and flocks, plus the same covenant promises of God given to his grandfather Abraham.

The Almighty doesn’t use a fraction of his strength, and lets Jacob hold on all night. In the morning, Jacob realizes he’s been wrestling with God, and he lived to tell about it. That in itself is a pretty great blessing!

How often do I try to wrestle a blessing out of God rather than recognizing all the things he’s already given?