But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.”   Genesis 50:19-21 

Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery, but he still forgave them. This shows God forgives us even when we have ignored or rejected him.

In the past I have not been a big Bible reader. Yes, I have enjoyed men’s Bible studies and learned much from Pastor’s Bible readings and sermons over the years and reflect on them in my own way. But, again, I have never, on my own, read the Bible.  

When Covid hit, we chose to worship online like many.  We joined Bethel’s online worship or perhaps one of the churches we got to know when our kids were in college.  One of these sermons talked about F260 self-paced Bible study.  F is for Foundation and 260 stands for 260 days. Read two Bible chapters 5 days a week for 52 weeks and you have read the Bible in a year. . . . Sounded easy enough. 

While working from home, it was relatively easy to spend 20-30 minutes each morning reading. I decided to dedicate my self-paced Bible study to Pastor Van Bredeson. PV was our youth Pastor at Bethel, and he unexpectedly passed away six years ago. He touched and inspired our family and many other young, mid aged and young at heart lives. I wasn’t able to go back to the organized Bible study he led after his passing as I felt a bit lost. Seems like a poor excuse as I write this.  So, in some way I felt PV nudging me to dive back into the Bible. . . .  I can hear him now with encouragement with some silly pun that only he would do his loud belly laugh at. . . .

So, I started at Genesis and am at 2 Samuel. Will I finish in a year, most likely not, but remember it is self-paced. . . One thing I found in these 10 books, many read like a novel, and it is hard to stop at two readings some days. The most amazing thing I noticed is that God always led and encouraged all the people and many leaders to turn from sin and follow Him. He NEVER gave up on them. Over and over, some or many of the people would turn away from him over hundreds of years. Sometimes they would need to float in a boat for over a year, sometimes they would need to wonder in the desert for 40 years, sometimes sinning tribes were wiped-out, all to help faith return. Yet, new leaders selected by God would lead the people again and they would follow and learn.

The point is, God never gave up on His people from 2500-1000 BC, nor has He or will He give up on us today in 2021. Throughout history Gods people have continued to struggle with lack of faith. We must prevent unbelief from gaining a foothold in our lives, for it will keep us from enjoying the blessings that God has promised.

Prayer:  Dear Lord, thank You for forgiving our sins, staying by our side and never giving up on us. Help us with our daily struggles and turn us toward Your words in the Bible that show us what You have done for us and the encouragement You always give us. HE MUST INCREASE; I must decrease. John 3:30 Amen.