by Susan Barnes | 5 May 2025 | Short Devotion>People
She [Leah] conceived again, and when she gave birth to a son she said, “This time I will praise the Lord.” So she named him Judah. (Genesis 29:35) Jacob was tricked into marrying Leah (v. 22-30) and didn’t love her like he loved her sister Rachel. However, God...
by Susan Barnes | 28 Apr 2025 | Short Devotion>People
Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am taking and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear so that I return safely to my father’s household, then the Lord will be my God. (Genesis 28:20-21) Jacob turned God’s...
by Susan Barnes | 21 Apr 2025 | Short Devotion>People
“I want you to swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and the God of earth, that you will not get a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I am living. (Genesis 24:3) Abraham wanted a godly wife for Isaac and sent his servant back to his...
by Susan Barnes | 7 Apr 2025 | Short Devotion>People
“Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.” (Genesis 22:12) This incident in Isaac’s life reminds us that God did not withhold his son, his only Son...
by Susan Barnes | 27 Mar 2025 | Short Devotion>People
And Sarah declared, “God has brought me laughter. All who hear about this will laugh with me. Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse a baby? Yet I have given Abraham a son in his old age!” (Genesis 21:6-7). This time Sarah laughs with surprise at the...
by Susan Barnes | 24 Mar 2025 | Short Devotion>People
So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, “After I am worn out and my lord is old, will I now have this pleasure?” (Genesis 18:13) Both surprise and scorn can make us laugh. Abraham laughs when God tells him that Sarah will have a son (Genesis 17:15-21). His...
by Susan Barnes | 17 Mar 2025 | Short Devotion>People
“You shall name him Ishmael, for the Lord has heard of your misery.” “You are the God who sees me.” (Genesis 16:11,13) When Sarai becomes impatient for God to fulfil his promise, she gives her maidservant, Hagar to Abraham to bear a child. Hagar...
by Susan Barnes | 10 Mar 2025 | Short Devotion>People
Melchizedek king of Salem … was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram. (Genesis 14:18-19) David prophesied Jesus’ kingly role (Psalm 110:2) and his priestly role (v. 4). Jesus was born into the kingly line through his ancestor Judah but for Jesus to be...
