In Gen 26-12-22, we find earthly fruitfulness in the midst of famine, and spiritual fruitfulness in a great turnaround from backsliding, that can each only be explained by the infinite, eternal, and unchangeable power and goodness of God-power and goodness that, in Christ, are operative in the lives of believers.

In repentance, we must turn from sin and self to follow Christ. Like Levi, we must yield ownership of ourselves and our life entirely to Christ. Unlike the scribes and Pharisees, we must see ourselves as incurable sinners who need Christ to deliver us from our sins' guilt and power.

Since we do not know ourselves well, it is an important part of prayer to pray for elders -and ourselves, and others- that they would both know themselves and have a clear conscience before God, since we will all have to give an account.

In Eph 2-11-13, we learn that we are driven to walk in good works by the gifts and privileges of our new life in Christ, of our membership in the commonwealth of the church, and of our covenantal bond to God.

In 1Sam 8-1-11, Samuel's sons warn us against greed, Samuel himself warns us against pride, and the elders of Israel warn us against rebellion. God gives them what they want as an act of judgment and discipline, but in the midst of it He is bringing salvation in Christ-

Hebrews 10-11-18 presents Christ to us in the perfect sufficiency of His sacrifice and perfect superiority of His power and victory. When we are overwhelmed by sin's guilt or power, we must look to Christ, our victorious Priest-King.

Isaac was afraid, but God showed surprising mercy that should stir up faith to inspire confidence and goodness to inspire the worship of gratitude. It is this life of confidence in God and life of worship unto God that overcomes fear.

God's grace is glorified in our salvation from start to finish-both in a justification that is not at all through anything that we do, and in sanctification where we do things that we ourselves could never have done, but are the vintage of God's new-creation workmanship in us.

Believers often stumble in surprising failure, but the Lord often shows them surprising mercy to turn them back to Himself.

Many came for teaching, but needed forgiveness more. A few came for healing, but needed forgiveness more. We need both teaching and healing from Jesus, but we need forgiveness from Him more, and He has power and authority to give it-