SCRIPTURE: Genesis 38:1-30
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
Here we see in dramatic fashion how God works in this sinful world – not affirming the sin, but working through the sin – to accomplish His purpose. Moralistic preaching takes Bible characters and says “be like them” or “don’t be like them”, but often the very best characters live shady lives. Think of David the adulterer, the murderer. And yet he is described as “a man after (God’s) own heart” (Acts 13:22). And of course, Jesus is the Son of David, but also the Son of Tamar (see Matthew 1:3, look at the other disreputable women mentioned, Bathsheba, Ruth, Matthew 1:5-6).
The way of the Lord is a humble path, identified by prostitutes, tax collectors, lepers, outcasts, sinners, etc. God chooses the “foolish things” to shame the wise, the “weak things” to shame the strong. Once again God is in the business of humbling us, and the story of Judah shows us that we are all shameful sinners in need of God’s mercy, and He graciously intervenes through our shameful lives to bring about our salvation.
PRAYER:
Lord, thank You for not giving up on us, on me. Deep down I know the sin that lives in me, the sin that makes me a candidate for grace, but also keeps me from reaching out for it. Remind me of my need for a Saviour, and help me to claim You as my Saviour and Lord. Amen.
It is by grace I am saved and not by merit, O am not saved by worksm by what my hands have done, Christ is worthy not through His lineage or by His birth right but only in Himself Anyone who boasts may boast only in the Lord. Only He is worthy to receive the honour and the glory, I can only claim Jesus Christ as my hope. I can not boast about my lineage , Lord Jesus I come to Thee, Be near me also through this day in all I do and say,
I will worship (I will worship)
With all of my heart (With all of my heart)
I will praise You (I will praise You)
With all of my strength (All of my strength)
I will seek You (I will seek You)
All of my days (All of my days)
I will follow (I will follow)
All of Your ways (All Your ways)
I will give You all my worship
I will give You all my praise
You alone I long to worship
You alone are worthy of my praise