One of the most chilling verses in all the Bible comes from Exodus:

At midnight the Lord struck down all the firstborn in Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh, who sat on the throne, to the firstborn of the prisoner, who was in the dungeon…

It wasn’t as if Pharaoh hadn’t been warned. Through months of plagues the Egyptians endured the wrath of God. Why did they not understand the Lord was as good as his word? But they learned, just as all the world learned, a God existed capable freeing the enslaved from bondage through unimaginable miracles.

Still, a part of me stops and wonders, if the Lord would do such a thing—what else is He capable of?

I misunderstand God. I neglect questioning my assumptions about the Lord. The images from scripture of the God who freed the children of Israel fail to match up with the therapeutic god I hope salves my desires and chuckles at my dalliances.

This verse punches my lazy beliefs in the nose. I’m not sure what I think, except that I need to think more about the God I follow and his ways of working in this world.

Exodus 12 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Paul Zoetemeijer

Sometimes even the worst situations work out for the best.

Joseph assured his brothers (after they sold him into slavery and later found themselves totally in his power) you intended to harm me, but God intended it for good.

The good in this case meant that Joseph provided for his brothers and his father and their families for the next several years of famine. All would have starved had not the Lord used an evil situation for the good of all. From his perspective, Joseph saw everything clearly.

Which makes me wonder—what types of situations am I suffering through, or watching others suffer through, that might actually be intended for good?

I can only wait and endure and trust. It’s hopeful to remember that perhaps the Lord has more in mind than I realize.

Genesis 45 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Jon Tyson

Turn on a game in the midst of the NFL playoffs (which I watch religiously) and the screen fills with zealous fans. Faces painted in team colors, elaborate outfits and loud cheering fills vast stadiums. All to support their favorites. In current culture, it’s acceptable to be zealous for sports.

Paul wrote on this topic—It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good…

Hmmm…I wonder if the NFL passes this test? I’m not sure much of what I tend to approach with rabid enthusiasm squeaks by. Chocolate? Coffee? Mexican food? Sports of all sorts?

Paul wrote to church members in Galatia who wrestled with their understanding of the gospel. These good people were in danger of abandoning the good news as taught by Paul and Jesus before him, and Paul spoke unfiltered into their issues. You foolish Galatians!

Zealous for gospel truth? Absolutely. We should watch our life and doctrine closely as Paul later reminded Timothy.

Zealous for football? Not as clear. But Paul wrote about sports—athletes competing to win and buffeting their bodies—so he paid attention. Which makes me think Paul would be fine settling in on the couch with a plateful of nachos and enjoying the big game.

Galatians 4 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Adrian Curiel

At times the Scriptures come across as complex, with meanings deeper than my simple mind comprehends. But in other places its clarity strikes at me, like Paul’s hard edge on how we live in this world.

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary of doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

No one fools the Lord. I may lack integrity in my finances, or develop private viewing habits appealing to my flesh, or act nice to my neighbors but despise them in my heart. I can do all that and appear as big-hearted as the next guy. But in doing so I’m attempting the impossible—I’m mocking the Lord and his ways.

On the other hand, I may quietly sow the work of the Holy Spirit in my life. If I ask for guidance, learn to listen, and follow his promptings, a fresh, vibrant life opens to me—a life eternal.

Sowing and reaping, I see it all around me. It’s the way God created the world to work. Don’t give up. Keep sowing to the good. Eventually the promised harvest bears fruit. Do not be deceived—life works no other way.

Galatians 6 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Markus Spiske