On the Third Day

Daily Reading: Genesis 34

Scripture Focus: On the third day, when they were sore, two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah's brothers, took their swords and came against the city. (Genesis 34.25)

Devotional Thought: There are a lot of "third days" in scripture. On the third day of creation, land emerged from beneath the ocean depths and life sprung forth on the earth. On the third day of his journey, Abraham looked up and saw Mount Moriah where "God will provide." On the third day, the Lord appeared to the Israelites at Mount Sinai. On the third day, Hezekiah rose from his death bed and went to worship at the house of the Lord. On the third day, Esther appeared before the king to plead for the lives of her people. On the third day, Jesus performed his first miracle at a wedding.

Our scripture today speaks of another third day. A son of Shechem had seduced and violated Dinah, Jacob's daughter. They hoped to make the people of God a part of their culture of sin and immorality. They offered to intermarry with Jacob's family. The sons of Jacob, however, tricked the sons of Shechem and "on the third day," they redeemed their sister's dignity and honor.

This is a picture of what Jesus, the Son of God, has done for us! Satan has seduced and violated the sons and daughters of man. He offers us the 'opportunity' to become a part of his immoral and evil culture. He has stolen our dignity and honor. He has robbed us of hope. But just as the sons of Jacob came against the city of Shechem, the Son of God has strapped on his sword and come against the city of Satan. He has redeemed us! And on the third day he defeated the grave itself. Victory is secured! Victory is final! Victory is ours in Jesus, the Son of God!

Prayer: Jesus, on the third day you came forth from the grave, victorious over sin and death and hell. Hallelujah! And with you, we too are victorious! Amen.

Psalm of the Day: 1 I will extol you, O LORD, for you have drawn me up and have not let my foes rejoice over me. 2 O LORD my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me. 3 O LORD, you have brought up my soul from Sheol; you restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit. 4 Sing praises to the LORD, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name. 5 For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning. (Psalms 30:1-5)