Unmistakable biblical support exists for establishing national boundaries for order, even great walls for protection, and identity. At the same time, Scripture emphasizes a balance between maintaining a country’s borders and showing love, care, and compassion for outsiders who come to reside within those borders. We do that by accepting those who come to our borders seeking asylum.

We certainly do not deny everyone from coming to the U.S.; that is apparently how it became what’s known as the melting pot. But we not only deny some people from entering, but we allow many others to enter our country as long as they meet certain requirements according to the law of its citizens.

 

 

We show compassion for outsiders by extending gracious work visas that allow those whose countries do not have enough work to provide a decent living to come to the U.S. to work and earn enough money and then go back to their families to share what they earned here in the U.S.

We provide a fair way of entering the U.S. that requires the immigrant to either have a sponsor or a desirable trade and education, or be able to earn enough money to support themselves and not be dependent on the U.S. to support them.

 

To say it like this, “we are not the world’s dumping grounds.”

And the bible clearly states that it not only tells you to obey the laws of the government but to keep borders that will keep its citizens safe from those who want to take what the U.S. citizen has earned and acquired for their own families. If immigrants were free to cross our borders unchecked, we wouldn’t be a sovereign country at all. And God intended all countries to be sovereign.

 

Please, do not bring up what is written on the Statue of Liberty; that has nothing to do with our country or its laws. It was a poem written by a lady who won the contest to submit a poem that was chosen to be engraved on the base of the Statue of Liberty. And it was unfortunate that the lady died of cancer before it was engraved.

 

 

Be it also noted that all other countries in this world have laws that are very harsh when accepting an immigrant to live in their country. If you had a special needs child, it would be extremely difficult to enter Australia and most other countries.

 

The appropriate biblical approach to the question of borders would be to uphold both a nation’s sovereignty and its moral responsibility to treat non-nationals with empathy, kindness, and dignity. And we do that with our current laws concerning immigration, border walls, border patrol, and ICE. And it is also a known fact that no part of our government, or any other government on this earth, is perfect. We have problems with teachers, police, senators, and representatives; we have issues with all three branches of government as well as anyone who works for the government. WE have problems with secretaries, contractors, cement people, steel workers, lawn care workers, computer technicians, programmers, painters and artists, democrats and Republicans, as well as independents and socialists, to name a few; we have issues and problems with any type of worker. So, when an ICE agent or teacher or police officer gets in trouble because they disobeyed a law, we should stop and think about how the Bible describes it. We are all sinners. Just because some occupations are more notable, not noble, than others is why we tend to put them on the stage or in the limelight.

We are the greatest country on this planet, and we would like to keep it that way for another 250 years, so that not only our grandchildren’s grandchildren will have a country they can be proud of and call their own, but that we can help those who need help if we can do so.

 

 

Bible verses about Borders and immigration

In Acts 17:26, the apostle Paul states, “From one man [God] made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands.” This verse reveals God’s role in establishing the nations and their geographical boundaries, offering compelling support for the idea that a country’s borders serve a purpose in God’s plan for humanity.

When the Israelites entered the Promised Land, God laid out explicit boundaries and territories of the land (see Numbers 34:1–12). God continued throughout the Old Testament to mark out specific lands for His people with well-defined political and territorial borders (see Joshua 1:4; 13:2; Isaiah 19:19).

The establishment of borders in Scripture was important and necessary for several purposes. In the case of Israel, borders helped maintain the nation’s identity, ensuring its distinctiveness as a people set apart for God (Deuteronomy 7:6; 26:18–19; Leviticus 20:26). Territorial boundaries defined the jurisdiction and authority of a country’s leaders (such as kings or tribal leaders) and played a crucial role in maintaining governance, economic control, and taxation.

The erecting of borders also symbolized the Lord’s provision and protection of His people. The rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem in the book of Nehemiah was crucial for protecting Israel from external threats (see Nehemiah 1—7). This episode presents a biblical principle, validating the need for borders for the protection and security of a nation.

While the Bible supports the concept of national borders, it also calls believers to act compassionately toward foreigners and immigrants. The Lord commanded Israel, “When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt” (Leviticus 19:33–34; see also Leviticus 19:10; 23:22; Deuteronomy 10:19; 14:29; Zechariah 7:10).

Israel’s identity was profoundly shaped by its interactions with foreigners and surrounding nations. Non-nationals played a significant role in Israel’s life and history. Rahab and Ruth are examples (see Joshua 6:22–27 and Ruth 4:13–22). Foreigners could live freely among the Israelites. They had the right to share in the Sabbath rest (Exodus 20:10), receive a fair trial (Deuteronomy 1:16), participate in festivals and ceremonies (Deuteronomy 16:11,14; 26:11; 29:10–11; 31:12; 2 Chronicles 30:25), and receive inheritances (Ezekiel 47:22–23). Nevertheless, a distinct separation was to be maintained, particularly concerning worship and consecration to God (see Leviticus 20:26; Deuteronomy 7:1–4). With her mission to fulfill as the bearer of God’s law, Israel needed to distinguish herself from pagan nations and individuals (see Leviticus 18:1–5).

 

Scriptures About the Power of Fortified Borders

 

Are your doors locked? Alarm set? Guards in place? Have you checked the perimeter?

No, we’re not talking about your house or cars–we’re talking about your spiritual borders. In the Bible, a fortified city was considered a blessing, a place of security and strength, and something to be desired.

We, too, should desire the blessing of fortified walls around every area of our lives–health, finances and family. But the devil is roaming around like a lion looking for the tiniest breach at any point of entry in your life.

Learn the importance of guarding your spiritual walls with these scriptures about the power of fortified borders.

All scriptures are referenced in the English Standard Version.

1. Exodus 23:31

And I will set your border from the Red Sea to the Sea of the Philistines, and from the wilderness to the Euphrates, for I will give the inhabitants of the land into your hand, and you shall drive them out before you.

2. Deuteronomy 1:28

The cities are great and fortified up to heaven.

3. Deuteronomy 3:5

All these were cities fortified with high walls, gates, and bars, besides very many unwalled villages.

4. Deuteronomy 9:1

Hear, O Israel: you are to cross over the Jordan today, to go in to dispossess nations greater and mightier than you, cities great and fortified up to heaven.

5. Numbers 13:28

However, the people who dwell in the land are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large. And besides, we saw the descendants of Anak there.

6. Numbers 32:17

But we will take up arms, ready to go before the people of Israel, until we have brought them to their place. And our little ones shall live in the fortified cities because of the inhabitants of the land.

7. 2 Chronicles 8:5

He also built Upper Beth-horon and Lower Beth-horon, fortified cities with walls, gates, and bars.

8. 2 Chronicles 14:6

He built fortified cities in Judah, for the land had rest. He had no war in those years, for the Lord gave him peace.

9. 2 Chronicles 21:3

Their father gave them great gifts of silver, gold, and valuable possessions, together with fortified cities in Judah, but he gave the kingdom to Jehoram, because he was the firstborn.

10. 2 Samuel 20:6

And David said to Abishai, “Now Sheba the son of Bichri will do us more harm than Absalom. Take your lord’s servants and pursue him, lest he get himself to fortified cities and escape from us.”

11. Isaiah 60:18

And violence shall no more be heard in your land, devastation or destruction within your borders; you shall call your walls Salvation, and your gates Praise.

12. Jeremiah 1:18

And I, behold, I make you this day a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls, against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests, and the people of the land.

13. Nehemiah 1:3, 2:17

And they said to me, “The remnant there in the province who had survived the exile is in great trouble and shame. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire…. Come, let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer suffer derision.”

14. Psalm 147:13-14

For he strengthens the bars of your gates; he blesses your children within you. He makes peace in your borders; he fills you with the finest of the wheat.

When you use these scriptures to get a revelation about the power of fortifying walls and borders in the natural, it will help you see how critical it is to do the same in the spirit realm. Spend time locating scripture to fortify each specific area of your life–your health, your family, your finances, your faith–and speak to them aloud regularly. (Try 7 Strategies for Building a Psalm 91 House.) Defend your territory from the enemy, and keep him out for good!

 

https://www.kcm.org/real-help/scriptures-about-power-fortified-borders/

 

 

 

 

Borders And Laws

https://www.openbible.info/topics/borders_and_lawsTop 

 

 

 

Romans 13:1-7 ESV / 15 helpful votes

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. …

Acts 17:26 ESV / 11 helpful votes

And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place,

Leviticus 19:33-34 ESV / 9 helpful votes

“When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.

James 2:2-15 ESV / 7 helpful votes

For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court? …

Acts 5:29 ESV / 7 helpful votes

But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.

Deuteronomy 32:8 ESV / 7 helpful votes

When the Most High gave to the nations their inheritance, when he divided mankind, he fixed the borders of the peoples according to the number of the sons of God.

Exodus 22:21 ESV / 7 helpful votes

“You shall not wrong a sojourner or oppress him, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt.

Galatians 2:10 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Only, they asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.

James 1:27 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

1 Peter 2:13-16 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.

1 Timothy 6:10 ESV / 4 helpful votes

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.

Romans 13:1-14 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. …

Job 14:1-22 ESV / 4 helpful votes

“Man who is born of a woman is few of days and full of trouble. He comes out like a flower and withers; he flees like a shadow and continues not. And do you open your eyes on such a one and bring me into judgment with you? Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? There is not one. Since his days are determined, and the number of his months is with you, and you have appointed his limits that he cannot pass, …

Deuteronomy 28:1-68 ESV / 4 helpful votes

“And if you faithfully obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the Lord your God. Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the field. Blessed shall be the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your ground and the fruit of your cattle, the increase of your herds and the young of your flock. Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl. …

Deuteronomy 10:19 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Love the sojourner, therefore, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt.

Galatians 6:2 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Romans 1:26-27 ESV / 3 helpful votes

For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.

John 3:16-17 ESV / 3 helpful votes

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Matthew 25:1-46 ESV / 3 helpful votes

“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. …

Micah 6:1-16 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Hear what the Lord says: Arise, plead your case before the mountains, and let the hills hear your voice. Hear, you mountains, the indictment of the Lord, and you enduring foundations of the earth, for the Lord has an indictment against his people, and he will contend with Israel. “O my people, what have I done to you? How have I wearied you? Answer me! For I brought you up from the land of Egypt and redeemed you from the house of slavery, and I sent before you Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. O my people, remember what Balak king of Moab devised, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him, and what happened from Shittim to Gilgal, that you may know the righteous acts of the Lord.” …

Jeremiah 7:5-7 ESV / 3 helpful votes

“For if you truly amend your ways and your deeds, if you truly execute justice one with another, if you do not oppress the sojourner, the fatherless, or the widow, or shed innocent blood in this place, and if you do not go after other gods to your own harm, then I will let you dwell in this place, in the land that I gave of old to your fathers forever.

2 Chronicles 36:1-23 ESV / 3 helpful votes

The people of the land took Jehoahaz the son of Josiah and made him king in his father’s place in Jerusalem. Jehoahaz was twenty-three years old when he began to reign, and he reigned three months in Jerusalem. Then the king of Egypt deposed him in Jerusalem and laid on the land a tribute of a hundred talents of silver and a talent of gold. And the king of Egypt made Eliakim his brother king over Judah and Jerusalem, and changed his name to Jehoiakim. But Neco took Jehoahaz his brother and carried him to Egypt. Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. He did what was evil in the sight of the Lord his God. …

Deuteronomy 27:19 ESV / 3 helpful votes

“‘Cursed be anyone who perverts the justice due to the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’

Leviticus 24:22 ESV / 3 helpful votes

You shall have the same rule for the sojourner and for the native, for I am the Lord your God.”

Exodus 23:9 ESV / 3 helpful votes

“You shall not oppress a sojourner. You know the heart of a sojourner, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt.

Genesis 1:26-28 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

1 Peter 2:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme,

Colossians 4:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

Galatians 6:5 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For each will have to bear his own load.

2 Corinthians 6:14 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?

Luke 14:34 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“Salt is good, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored?

Mark 9:50 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”

Mark 9:42-50 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea. And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell, ‘where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’ …

Matthew 19:16-22 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And behold, a man came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.” He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” The young man said to him, “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?” …

Matthew 5:28 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Matthew 5:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.

Ezekiel 47:21-23 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“So you shall divide this land among you according to the tribes of Israel. You shall allot it as an inheritance for yourselves and for the sojourners who reside among you and have had children among you. They shall be to you as native-born children of Israel. With you they shall be allotted an inheritance among the tribes of Israel. In whatever tribe the sojourner resides, there you shall assign him his inheritance, declares the Lord God.

Proverbs 24:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter.

Proverbs 23:14 ESV / 2 helpful votes

If you strike him with the rod, you will save his soul from Sheol.

Proverbs 23:10-11 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Do not move an ancient landmark or enter the fields of the fatherless, for their Redeemer is strong; he will plead their cause against you.

Proverbs 22:24 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man,

Proverbs 21:19 ESV / 2 helpful votes

It is better to live in a desert land than with a quarrelsome and fretful woman.

Proverbs 19:19 ESV / 2 helpful votes

A man of great wrath will pay the penalty, for if you deliver him, you will only have to do it again.

Proverbs 15:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes

A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Proverbs 14:17 ESV / 2 helpful votes

A man of quick temper acts foolishly, and a man of evil devices is hated.

Psalm 19:7-11 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

Ezra 4:3 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the rest of the heads of fathers’ houses in Israel said to them, “You have nothing to do with us in building a house to our God; but we alone will build to the Lord, the God of Israel, as King Cyrus the king of Persia has commanded us.”

2 Chronicles 13:5 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Ought you not to know that the Lord God of Israel gave the kingship over Israel forever to David and his sons by a covenant of salt?

Joshua 1:8 ESV / 2 helpful votes

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

Deuteronomy 28:43-44 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The sojourner who is among you shall rise higher and higher above you, and you shall come down lower and lower. He shall lend to you, and you shall not lend to him. He shall be the head, and you shall be the tail.

Deuteronomy 27:17 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“‘Cursed be anyone who moves his neighbor’s landmark.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’

Deuteronomy 23:3 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“No Ammonite or Moabite may enter the assembly of the Lord. Even to the tenth generation, none of them may enter the assembly of the Lord forever,

Deuteronomy 17:14-17 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“When you come to the land that the Lord your God is giving you, and you possess it and dwell in it and then say, ‘I will set a king over me, like all the nations that are around me,’ you may indeed set a king over you whom the Lord your God will choose. One from among your brothers you shall set as king over you. You may not put a foreigner over you, who is not your brother. Only he must not acquire many horses for himself or cause the people to return to Egypt in order to acquire many horses, since the Lord has said to you, ‘You shall never return that way again.’ And he shall not acquire many wives for himself, lest his heart turn away, nor shall he acquire for himself excessive silver and gold.

Deuteronomy 7:3-4 ESV / 2 helpful votes

You shall not intermarry with them, giving your daughters to their sons or taking their daughters for your sons, for they would turn away your sons from following me, to serve other gods. Then the anger of the Lord would be kindled against you, and he would destroy you quickly.

Deuteronomy 5:14 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, you or your son or your daughter or your male servant or your female servant, or your ox or your donkey or any of your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates, that your male servant and your female servant may rest as well as you.

Numbers 34:1-29 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Command the people of Israel, and say to them, When you enter the land of Canaan (this is the land that shall fall to you for an inheritance, the land of Canaan as defined by its borders), your south side shall be from the wilderness of Zin alongside Edom, and your southern border shall run from the end of the Salt Sea on the east. And your border shall turn south of the ascent of Akrabbim, and cross to Zin, and its limit shall be south of Kadesh-barnea. Then it shall go on to Hazar-addar, and pass along to Azmon. And the border shall turn from Azmon to the Brook of Egypt, and its limit shall be at the sea. …

Numbers 15:15-16 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For the assembly, there shall be one statute for you and for the stranger who sojourns with you, a statute forever throughout your generations. You and the sojourner shall be alike before the Lord. One law and one rule shall be for you and for the stranger who sojourns with you.”

Genesis 46:28-34 ESV / 2 helpful votes

He had sent Judah ahead of him to Joseph to show the way before him in Goshen, and they came into the land of Goshen. Then Joseph prepared his chariot and went up to meet Israel his father in Goshen. He presented himself to him and fell on his neck and wept on his neck a good while. Israel said to Joseph, “Now let me die, since I have seen your face and know that you are still alive.” Joseph said to his brothers and to his father’s household, “I will go up and tell Pharaoh and will say to him, ‘My brothers and my father’s household, who were in the land of Canaan, have come to me. And the men are shepherds, for they have been keepers of livestock, and they have brought their flocks and their herds and all that they have.’ …

Genesis 15:18 ESV / 2 helpful votes

On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, “To your offspring I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates,

Genesis 13:15 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For all the land that you see I will give to you and to your offspring forever.

Genesis 12:10-20 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Now there was a famine in the land. So Abram went down to Egypt to sojourn there, for the famine was severe in the land. When he was about to enter Egypt, he said to Sarai his wife, “I know that you are a woman beautiful in appearance, and when the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ Then they will kill me, but they will let you live. Say you are my sister, that it may go well with me because of you, and that my life may be spared for your sake.” When Abram entered Egypt, the Egyptians saw that the woman was very beautiful. …

Genesis 11:1-32 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Now the whole earth had one language and the same words. And as people migrated from the east, they found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there. And they said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks, and burn them thoroughly.” And they had brick for stone, and bitumen for mortar. Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth.” And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of man had built. …

 

 

Jenny is sitting at the counter by herself of the main watering hole in a small village. She just finished eating her lunch. Previously that morning, she had been embarrassed by her husband in front of the entire village.

Jenny asks, “May I have a refill, please.”

The Man Behind the Counter (Joe): “Coming right up ….

……. Jenny looks a bit sad and frustrated …..

As Joe hands her another drink, he asks, “Excuse me, ma’am, are you alright?”

Jenny responds, “It’s a long story.”

Joe smiles and says, “I like stories.”

So, Joe comes around the counter and sits next to her.

Jenny goes on to tell Joe about her story and says, “You see, my husband, Noah, has told the entire village it will start to rain for a long time; are you familiar with my husband, Noah?”

Joe responds, “Oh yes, the guy that’s building a huge ark, yes, I heard of him, Noah.”

Jenny goes on with her story, “And get this… My husband says, God told him to do it.”

Jenny, frustrated, says,  “Now what in the world do you do with that?”

Joe surprisingly says, “Sounds like an opportunity.”

Jenny frowns back at Joe and asks him, “What do you mean by that… an opportunity?”

Joe goes on to say: “Let me ask you something…..

If someone prays for “patience,” do you think God gives them patience?

Or does God allow them to be patient?

When someone prays for courage, does God give them courage, or does God give them the opportunity to be courageous?

And….

If someone prays for their family to be closer, do you think God zaps them with warm fuzzy feelings or does God give them opportunities to love each other?”

Jenny sighs and lifts her head toward the sky as if to ask God something. She suddenly gets up and starts walking away from the village towards her husband’s tent.

She leaves her refill behind.

Do you expect God to give you what you ask, or maybe God will provide you with opportunities… opportunities to fulfill what you asked God for?

Do you need a refill?

So, next time you pray and ask God for something, don’t always expect God to give you what you asked of Him. Instead, be ready, be ready for opportunities that God provides us all.

…knock and the door will be opened to you. Matt 7:7

When you knock, do you think God will open the door, or could it be that God simply provided the door, provided the opportunity, and expects you to open it?

God treasures everything and everyone He created.

Sparrows, to some, are not considered to be very valuable, but the common sparrow has tremendous value from God’s perspective. As Jesus says, if even sparrows are worthy enough for God to remember and count them and keep watch over them, how much more are human beings worth from the moment of conception in the womb till the day we die and go back home to our Creator?

Since we are all we are made in God’s own image, are we not worth more to God than a sparrow?

God knows us completely – even down to the smallest details, and thus God loves us completely.

Since God cares so much for sparrows, which are so tiny and commonplace, we can trust God to care for us too. 

Job 12:7-10 declares: “But ask the animals,

and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you;
or speak to the earth, and it will teach you,
or let the fish in the sea inform you.

Which of all these does not know
that the hand of the Lord has done this?
In his hand is the life of every creature
and the breath of all mankind.