Today’s readings delve into the profound concept that God knows us individually and cares for us.
In Genesis 15-17, God meets with Hagar, an Egyptian slave who is pregnant and on the run from Sarai, her mistress. In a culture where she had little or no rights, God finds her, encourages her, and gives her prophecies about her son.
In these passages, it is recorded that “Abram believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.” (Genesis 15:6). God also introduces the practice of circumcision to Abram and his descendants as a sign of separation and sanctification to God. Circumcision foreshadowed what Jesus’ sacrifice would do to the sinful nature of all who believe in Him. As the foreskin was cut away, so would the sinful nature be cut away as we put our faith in Jesus
As a child of God, bought by the blood of Christ, God doesn’t just care for you as a generic part of the body of Christ. He sees and knows you, your name is inscribed on His hand, and He deeply cares for you.
Transitioning to the New Testament, Jesus’ teachings reiterate that God sees our private toiling in love, generosity, and prayer. The phrase, “Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you” is repeated thrice in Matthew 6:1-18. This assures us that as we embark on these spiritual disciplines in our closets, we might not have the praise of men, but we have the ultimate reward from God. These passages, though from different times, show God’s lasting commitment to His people. They encourage us, reminding us that we are not alone, God is with us, seeing and caring for us.
Reflect: Meditate on the fact that God sees you.
Today’s reading
Genesis 15-17
1 After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, [a]your exceedingly great reward.”
2 But Abram said, “Lord God, what will You give me, seeing I [b]go childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?”
3 Then Abram said, “Look, You have given me no offspring; indeed one[c] born in my house is my heir!”
Matthew 5:38-6:15
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’
39 But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.
40 If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also.