THE CHURCH OF NIGERIA (ANGLICAN COMMUNION) Daily Fountain Devotional 9 August 2024: Be Anxious for Nothing
DATE: FRIDAY, 9TH AUGUST, 2024
TOPIC: BE ANXIOUS FOR NOTHING
TEXT: GENESIS 30: 1-21 *(NKJV)*
30:1. Now when Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister, and said to Jacob, "Give me children, or else I die!"
30:2. And Jacob's anger was aroused against Rachel, and he said, "[Am] I in the place of God, who has withheld from you the fruit of the womb?"
30:3. So she said, "Here is my maid Bilhah; go in to her, and she will bear [a child] on my knees, that I also may have children by her."
30:4. Then she gave him Bilhah her maid as wife, and Jacob went in to her.
30:5. And Bilhah conceived and bore Jacob a son.
30:6. Then Rachel said, "God has judged my case; and He has also heard my voice and given me a son." Therefore she called his name Dan.
30:7. And Rachel's maid Bilhah conceived again and bore Jacob a second son.
30:8. Then Rachel said, "With great wrestlings I have wrestled with my sister, [and] indeed I have prevailed." So she called his name Naphtali.
30:9. When Leah saw that she had stopped bearing, she took Zilpah her maid and gave her to Jacob as wife.
30:10. And Leah's maid Zilpah bore Jacob a son.
30:11. Then Leah said, "A troop comes!" So she called his name Gad.
30:12. And Leah's maid Zilpah bore Jacob a second son.
30:13. Then Leah said, "I am happy, for the daughters will call me blessed." So she called his name Asher.
30:14. Now Reuben went in the days of wheat harvest and found mandrakes in the field, and brought them to his mother Leah. Then Rachel said to Leah, "Please give me [some] of your son's mandrakes."
30:15. But she said to her, "[Is it] a small matter that you have taken away my husband? Would you take away my son's mandrakes also?" And Rachel said, "Therefore he will lie with you tonight for your son's mandrakes."
30:16. When Jacob came out of the field in the evening, Leah went out to meet him and said, "You must come in to me, for I have surely hired you with my son's mandrakes." And he lay with her that night.
30:17. And God listened to Leah, and she conceived and bore Jacob a fifth son.
30:18. Leah said, "God has given me my wages, because I have given my maid to my husband." So she called his name Issachar.
30:19. Then Leah conceived again and bore Jacob a sixth son.
30:20. And Leah said, "God has endowed me [with] a good endowment; now my husband will dwell with me, because I have borne him six sons." So she called his name Zebulun.
30:21. Afterward she bore a daughter, and called her name Dinah.
Daily Fountain Devotional 9 August 2024 MESSAGE:
Here, we see Rachel becoming desperate of having children she could call her own “Give me children, or else I die.” This desperation was engineered by envy; for “she envied her sister” (v.1). In desperation, she employed Sarah’s policy of surrogacy (v.3;Gen. 16:2). In desperation, she also held unto the superstitious belief of “Mandrakes aiding conception” (v.14).
How quickly she learnt that it is God who gives children! For Leah who did not use Mandrakes conceived twice more while she remained barren even after using it (vv.15-21).
We have seen and heard of many unspeakable things desperate people do to get a child. What are you desiring that is worth dying for? What has your desperation pushed you into doing? God’s word for us today is “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psa. 46:10).
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit, you may abound in hope. Trust God! Your miracle shall come.
WATCH THE DEVOTION BELOW
PRAYER:
Lord, may I be anxious for nothing. May Your peace keep my heart and mind through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
QUOTE FOR THE DAY
God Says: “I have even numbered each hair on your head.” Matthew 10: 30
Study Yesterday’s Devotional Anglican Daily Fountain Devotional 8 August 2024: Journeying Into God’s Purpose
See All Anglican Daily Fountain Devotional for the month of August
Jesus Trends Salvation Prayer
Heavenly Father,
I come to You in humility and repentance, acknowledging my sins and my need for Your grace. Lord Jesus, I believe You are the Son of God, who died for my sins and rose again to give me eternal life. I confess You as my Savior and Lord.
Forgive me, cleanse me with Your precious blood, and fill me with Your Holy Spirit. I turn away from my sinful ways and open my heart to You. Take control of my life and guide me in Your truth.
If you joined in that life-changing prayer, congratulations! We are happy that you have surrendered your life to Jesus!
About Anglican Daily Fountain Devotional
The Anglican Daily Fountain Devotional, published by the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), offers daily spiritual nourishment and insightful biblical teachings. Esteemed for its practical guidance and inspiring messages, this devotional encourages personal growth and a deeper relationship with God.
Each day’s reflection provides wisdom and strength to navigate life’s challenges. Subscribe to the Anglican Daily Fountain Devotional and join a global community experiencing daily spiritual enrichment and empowerment.
