SCRIPTURE: Genesis 18
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
God steps into the world, like He did in Genesis 3:8-9, not for His own benefit (as if He needed to visit Abraham to make His promise, or to see the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah to know what was going on), but for our own benefit. God comes to Abraham and Sarah to visibly, memorably demonstrate His love and commitment. He goes to Sodom and Gomorrah (through His angels) to give the people a chance to repent or change their ways. Whatever God does, or allows, is always His way of encouraging, challenging or inviting us to respond to Him.
Abraham shows his open heart through his hospitality of these strangers, and also through his intercession on behalf of the innocent in Sodom and Gomorrah. Sarah shows her honest doubt in laughing about God’s promise. This is very understandable, since they were well past child-bearing. They had pretty much given up on God’s promise.
God has this annoying habit of waiting to the last possible minute, as far as it comes to doing something good. But He also waits until the last minute to execute punishment. He times His interventions for a reason, to stretch and build our faith, or to give us a chance to repent o change our ways (2 Peter 3:9). We may think He is late in coming, but He always comes at just the right time, for the right reasons.
He is concerned for sinners, that they repent. This goes for all of us. We all need to have our hearts exposed and renewed. This requires honesty, humility and surrender. He knows it all anyway. He knows when we laugh silently to ourselves (ask Sarah), He knows whether we care for people or not, He knows what we do in secret, as well as what we do openly. He gives us every chance to come to our senses.
God’s patience and kindness is designed to lead us to repent. But eventually, in His right time, He will execute judgment, allowing us to reap the harvest of our choices (Romans 2:4-8). Do we believe Him? Do we trust Him? Are we open to Him? Are we ready to meet Him?
PRAYER:
Lord, I know my heart pretty well (though not as well as You), and I know that I need Your mercy. I repent again, and ask for You to show me again how much You love and forgive me, and how wonderful this is!
vs. 5 “And since You’ve honoured Your servant with this visit..” LORD, every day You wait to meet with us, eager and waiting to ‘visit’ with each and every one of us. LORD, may we too always experience the ‘honour’ it is that You “visit” with us as we spend time in Your word, in prayer, in fellowship, in worship…..
LORD, thank You that You are a God that nothing is too hard for. May I truly believe in Your power in my life as Your word promises.
LORD, Sarah tried to deny her laughter and disbelief. LORD may I live with the truth that nothing is hidden from You, You already know every detail. LORD may I honestly and openly share my heart with You, without fear, without hesitation for the depths of my heart is known to You.
Thank You LORD that You are a fair and just God. Thank You for being a God of mercy. Thank You LORD that Your mercy extends to everyone, including me.
LORD, may I not be afraid to boldly ask in and through prayer what Your will is, for understanding in all situations and circumstances. LORD, thank You that like Abraham, I can always come before You and ask.
Thank You LORD that You are a God of second chances…..
Practice hospitality. As part of God’s family, His people needs to extend their hand to all who cross their paths for they too may be entertaining angels. God’s people doing acts of kindness – a mark of the Christian. Giving freely, sharing freely, serving freely and joyfully 🙂
Once again I read in verse 19 the importance of family – the household of faith. God chose Abraham for he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing right and just. Once again I hear the refrain for myself – but as for me and my household, we will serve the living God. Help me Lord to be an influence on my household each and every day by walking with You always.
As I pray for my household, I need also to pray for His people – the family of God – that we/they stay upright in the world also today. God is good; God is gracious; time and time again I see His redeeming hand for His people and me. Lot was spared and an answer to prayer. So I need to continue to pray and grow in my prayer life for the sake of His people.
What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.
Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.
Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge, take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield you; you will find a solace there.
Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised Thou wilt all our burdens bear
May we ever, Lord, be bringing all to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright unclouded there will be no need for prayer
Rapture, praise and endless worship will be our sweet portion there.