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Attention?

 For 2021, I am reading through the Bible with the Bible Project-Biblical Storyline Reading Plan on the YouVersion App. This devotional will follow along with the daily reading.

The reading for January 16 is: Genesis 46-47

Israel (Jacob) was an interesting man. Several times he appears to have tried to use his wealth to gain favor. Yet, Jacob's wealth never saved his family. When wealth did nothing, Jacob made altars and had visions from God. 

It makes me wonder: do I go to God first? We often say that all we can do is pray. If we know that prayer is all there is, then we will pray first and last and everything in between. God knew Jacob's future. 

I find Genesis 46:2 NASB to be particularly interesting: "God spoke to Israel in visions of the night and said, 'Jacob, Jacob.' And he said, 'Here I am.'" God waited until He had Israel's attention. Then God let Israel know that He would go with Israel and that Joseph would be with Israel when he died peacefully. In Genesis 47:9, Jacob tells Pharaoh that his life has been unpleasant and short. Which is a little funny because he lives 17 more years after that in Egypt (Gen 47:28) surrounded by family. Jacob did have a hard life, but God taught Jacob to rely on Him through all of it.

Sometimes I get so focused on using what I have to do good, that I forget that God's good is to show us who He is. God is using hardship to show me that the things I cling to are doing nothing to satisfy my deepest needs. If I will give Him my attention, then God will show me the good He is doing.

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