Daily Treasure

“And such were some of you:  but ye are washed, but you are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Corinthians 6:11).

 

We have finished our study of Tamar. She probably would never be considered a great role model. If she were to have strolled into our church with her twin boys, we may not have wanted to befriend her. However God looked beyond her faults and saw her need for a Savior. When we encounter women like Tamar, we should remember Christ died for them, too. We are often too quick to judge women who may be very different from us. Except by the mercy and grace of God our lives could have been just like them. Just as God felt Tamar was worth redeeming, He extends His compassion to us as well. He loved and died for us. When we come to Him He washes our sins away and makes us as if we had never sinned. One day soon He will be coming back for us. Thank God He looked down and felt we were worth redeeming as well.

 

Sue Winchester

Missouri

 

PRAY TOGETHER:  Pray for our nation and our newly elected officials in all levels of government.

“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

The perfect Lamb of God left the splendor of Heaven to come to our imperfect world. He became flesh to enter the human family which has been called a “sin line.” Who would have thought He would have come through the line of Tamar and Judah? His lineage was part of Him that was made to be sin. He, who knew no sin, took on our sin so we “might be made the righteousness of God in Him.”

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Today might be a good day to curl up with a book and a cup of hot chocolate, to ponder what God is doing in your life and to pray for His direction.

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8).

If you still have questions about Tamar and Judah, the answer to them is found in the word grace. There was nothing they could do to merit the mercy and grace of God. Just like there is nothing that we could do to earn God’s favor in our sinful condition. The same grace He bestowed on Tamar and Judah is extended to us today. Tamar made Judah see the error of his way. God sometimes uses imperfect people to bring about His perfect plan. Even though I was saved at an early age, I’m thankful for the gift of God’s grace that “saved a wretch like me.” I was nothing like Tamar but I still needed to be saved from my sins. I know that but by His grace I could have been a Tamar.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Several new women’s groups have joined together as Women Active for Christ. We welcome them. Remember them in your prayers today.

“And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar and Phares begat Esrom and Esrom begat Aram” (Matthew 1:3).

We concluded our Genesis 38 study with the unusual birth of Judah and Tamar’s twins, Pharez and Zarah. Today’s verse lists all four names in the genealogy of Christ. This is really a spectacular turn of events! Some of you may find this difficult to understand.

Think about your own family tree. Are they all like you? Are there names of people you wish were not your relatives? There’s not an earthly thing you can do but try to accept them. With pardoning mercy I think Christ did just that with the examples of repentance mentioned in today’s verse. Did He condone their sinfulness? No—He forgave them of it and restored them. Tamar might have had a tainted past, but God loved and forgave her. She would no longer have to hang her head in shame. Being brought back into Judah’s family, she has a place of honor in the genealogy of Jesus.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: TWG column writers always covet your prayers. Remember Danita High, Rebecca Pugh, Tammy Miller, Crystal Hodges and editor Sarah Fletcher today.

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray about the finances in all our denominational departments and agencies. The economy has taken its toll, but we also know God can help us set priorities.

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for Matthew and Cristina Price who plan to return to France this month.

“And it came to pass, when she travailed, that the one put out his hand: and the midwife took and bound upon his hand a scarlet thread, saying, This came out first” (Genesis 38:28).

Tamar was carrying twins and there was an unbelievable struggle during their birth. Our verse contains another one of those plot twists. When you read Genesis 38:28-31 you are probably amazed Tamar survived their birth. Pharez didn’t have the scarlet thread but he was the firstborn. He got the birthright because his brother, Zarah, drew back his hand with the thread and Pharez came bursting forth from the womb. I can only imagine the pain Tamar experienced during the delivery of her sons. Pharez was going to be a ancestor of David and ultimately, as we will learn in this Monday’s devotion, a predecessor of Christ.
Next week’s devotions will be somewhat like the epilog of a play. This dramatic story deserves some afterthoughts before we bring the curtain down.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray about a book selection to read along with TWG studies. A recommended title is Captivating by John and Stasi Eldredge.