Morning Devotional:
We were pretty bad. If you missed it I had my brother Shaun on the Phone to play the what day is it game. Shaun and I are pretty different, and growing up there was a lot of time where we fought so hard. I’m twice his size, but he is twice as fast as me. So If I could catch him, I won, and if I couldn’t he could just stand at a distance and throw things at me.
Our story could have fit in the book of Genesis, Brothers just at each other’s throats! Cain and Abel Genesis 4; Isaac and Ishmael (21:8–10); Joseph and everyone not named Benjamin (ch. 37). But for brother-to-brother animosity, it’s hard to beat Jacob and Esau.
Esau’s twin brother had cheated him twice, so he wanted to kill Jacob (27:41). Decades later Jacob and Esau would reconcile (ch. 33). But the rivalry continued on in their descendants, who became the nations of Edom and Israel.
Happily for us, the Bible contains not just the sad account of our brokenness but the story of God’s redemption as well. Jesus changed everything, telling His disciples, “A new command I give you: Love one another” John 13:34. Then He showed us what that means by dying for us.
As Shaun and I got older, we became close. That’s the thing with God. When we respond to the forgiveness He offers, His grace can transform our sibling rivalries into brotherly love.
Ryan
Burning Question:
It’s National Brothers Day, Why does your Brother deserve a high five?
Bible Quiz:
Question: According to Isaiah what is the food of the serpent?
Answer: Dust Isaiah 65:25
Storytime: Saturday Morning Creativity!