As I sat under the tin roof thinking about what is coming next for Porch Believers, I realized we’re about to turn a page.
For the past several weeks, we’ve been walking through the Gospel of John 1. We’ve followed Jesus through His words, His encounters, His miracles, and the way He revealed Himself to those around Him. John has given us so much to think about, and I know our journey through God’s Word doesn’t end when we finish a chapter or book.
Sometimes one study leads us naturally into another.
And that’s where we’re headed next.
Over the next several days, Porch Believers will begin a new study I’m calling “Israel, the Wayward Child.”
That title may sound a little harsh at first, but as I’ve been studying Scripture, I’ve been reminded that God has never hidden the struggles of His people from us. The Bible doesn’t paint Israel as a perfect people who always followed God. Instead, Scripture gives us a very honest picture of a people who were loved by God, called by God, blessed by God, disciplined by God, and yet repeatedly wandered away from Him.
And if I’m being honest, that sounds a lot like humanity.
Maybe that’s one reason this study has caught my attention.
As we look at Israel’s story, I don’t want us to simply point backward and say, “Look what they did.”
I want us to ask, “What can their story teach me about my own walk with God?”
What happens when God’s people become distracted?
What happens when blessings become more important than the One who gave them?
What happens when we stop listening?
What happens when we act out?
And perhaps most importantly…
What does God do when His children wander away?
Because Israel’s story isn’t simply a story about disobedience.
It’s also a story about God’s faithfulness.
It’s a story about His promises.
It’s a story about correction and mercy.
And ultimately, it’s part of God’s greater plan of redemption.
This next study will be shared through our On the Porch daily devotional emails. Each week day, we’ll open God’s Word and continue walking through this story, looking at Israel’s history, their relationship with God, their wandering, His promises, and what their story can teach us today.
If you’ve been following along with John, I’d love for you to continue the journey with us.
And if you’re not already receiving On the Porch, this is a great time to join us.
Sign up for On the Porch and follow along with “Israel, the Wayward Child.”
I’ll leave the link below for those who would like to join us.
I don’t know exactly where this study will take us, but I know the One who wrote the story.
And that’s enough reason to open the Bible and start reading.
Maybe somewhere along the way, we’ll discover that while we’re studying “Israel, the Wayward Child,” God is also showing us something about ourselves.
Until the rain falls again…
Grace and peace,
A Porch Believer
Join: On The Porch