Bible Reading: Genesis 46 | John 18 | Psalm 46

Devotional for March 5, 2025
Reading: Genesis 46 | John 18 | Psalm 46
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Genesis 46

Genesis 46 contains two main sections. First, God's instructions to Jacob not to be afraid highlight the preparation to go to Egypt. Though the journey will be difficult, it is highlighted by the comforting words of God promising to be with him and make his name great. We have that same promise today. Our pilgrimage in this life is challenging, but we have God's promise to be with us and help us on the journey (Read Is. 43). Second is a list of the people who moved to Egypt, highlighting God's covenantal care for the family life of Jacob, the seed of the woman who will eventually produce the Lord Jesus Christ.

John 18

John 18 begins the beginning of the end of the earthly ministry of Christ. The chapter can be divided into four main sections. The first (19:1-11) describes the arrest of Jesus after Judas, one of the twelve, betrays him into the hands of evil men. As followers of Christ, we may face such betrayal in our lives. It may not lead to our death, but it is painful, nonetheless. The second section (19:12-14; 19-24) contains the interrogation of the high priest. The irony is striking. The earthly high priest is questioning the heavenly great high priest! The third major section highlights the denial of Peter (19:15-18; 25-27). The final section finds the Lord before Pilate, eventually turning him over to the Romans for execution.

Psalm 46

Psalm 46 is a corporate hymn "celebrating Zion as the special city, to which God has pledged himself and through which he will bless the world." [1] Specifically, the emphasis is on the church of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is a corporate song sung in praise to God for his promise to be with his people, guiding and protecting them. The Psalm can be divided into three sections.

46:1-3

This section states the premise of the Psalm: God is a refuge and strength for those who love and are called by him. A refuge is a place of safety and security. It is a place of rest and respite from the world's noise and chaos. It is a place God's people can flee when life is hard and full of trials. Note that God is the refuge. It is not a temple or a building. It is God alone that we find comfort. We do not place our hope in edifices or other things, which would be idolatry. We place our hope in the God of the Bible and him alone.

46:4-7

This section pictures the centrality of God's presence with language that reflects the place of God's dwelling in those days: the Temple in the Holy City of Jerusalem. The imagery is explicit, for there is no river in Jerusalem (46:4). The language of this verse points us back to the Garden of Eden (see Gen. 2:10-15). The reason that God's people are not moved is because he is with them. As the church of the Lord Jesus, we have no reason to fear regardless of what happens. Our God will never abandon the church. The gates of hell cannot prevail against the church.

46:8-11

This section calls us to behold the works of the Lord against those who seek to harm the church. He is the one that stops the adversaries (and the Adversary). He is the one who calls the nations to stop, be still, and know that he alone is God. That will be ultimately accomplished on the great day when every knee will bow and tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

[1] Crossway Bibles, ed., ESV: Study Bible: English Standard Version, ESV text ed (Wheaton, Ill: Crossway Bibles, 2007), 994.