January 18. Preparing for a re-union, being careful with the source of spiritual power.

Readings: Genesis 32:1-33:20; Ps 10:13-18; Prov 3:1-2; Matt 12:9-37

Genesis.
32:7 We can understand why Jacob was afraid
7-12. This is the same promise that Christians have, but are we humble in our approach to God or do we sometimes take His presence & protection as a right. Jacob has the attitude of worship.
24-32. Quite a well known passage in the bible, this represents Jacob's willingness to contend with God at his time of desperate need. Often God does not give us everything right away. We have to struggle & contend for the blessing. God is testing to see how much we really want His blessing in a certain area.
This is not the same as saying the Christian life is a hard struggle. The Christian life is one of growth in the knowledge of God & sometimes that growth comes for a struggle. If its all struggle & little growth for you, there is something wrong with your relationship, which predominately is about joy, peace & hope.

Psalm
v14. There are times when the wicked cannot be restrained by the righteous in society. Trust in God for ultimate justice become the only hope.

Proverbs
More reason to treasure God's law & commands.

Matthew
This is religion verses love. The leaders in the synagogue were merely interested in following rules rather than the purpose of God's law. God's law is about love, which Jesus demonstrates with this healing of the withered hand. Jesus had previously spoken about division, His actions challenged the control of the Pharisee's.
v22-24 Here we see their response to the challenge over their control & authority - they accused Jesus of being from the devil. There is no difference today with some elements of the wider church accusing those who operate in the spiritual gifts as being from Satan.
v25-29. Jesus counteracts what they were thinking by explaining that only God can drive out demons. Indeed one of the signs of the Kingdom of God is this ability (v28)
v30-32. There is real danger to our souls in attributing the Holy Spirit's work to Satan, so we have to be very discerning in these things.
v33-37. Our words reflect what is inside us. Our words do give us away & the power of the tongue is very great (both good & bad) see James 3:1-12.