January 11 | Choosing Truth Over Control

Today’s Bible in a Year reading from Genesis 27–28 and Matthew 8:18–34 draws our attention to the tension between trusting God and attempting to control outcomes ourselves. Across both passages, we see people facing moments where fear, urgency, and uncertainty tempt them to take control rather than walk in faithful obedience. These readings invite us to consider not only what we believe about God but also how deeply we trust Him when the pressure is on.In Genesis 27 and 28, deception and manipulation fracture a family and force Jacob into a future he did not plan. Yet even as he flees the consequences of his choices, God meets him in vulnerability and reaffirms His promise. The story reminds us that while God’s purposes are not derailed by human failure, thepath of control often leads to unnecessary pain. Living a life of truth requires more than knowing God’s promises; it requires trusting His timing and methods.In Matthew 8, Jesus confronts fear in a different form. His followers are asked to trust Him amid storms, uncertainty, and loss of control. Whether facing the chaos of nature or the power of unseen forces, the call remains the same: to trust His authority rather than grasp for control. Together, these passages remind us that choosing truth means releasing the need to manage outcomes and learning to rest in the faithfulness of God, even when the way forward feels unclear.