Hey everyone,
It’s been a long journey thru CA for us. Can’t wait to get back home to Denver. We will have Oikos this Saturday at 5pm at Peter & Hanna’s. Also we will having our next EM Members Meeting this Sunday right after EM Fellowship. We will be overviewing 2011 and sharing about 2012. If you are a member, make sure to attend. Here’s today’s devotion:
Thurs, Jan 12th – Genesis 15-16
Sometimes we wonder why people treat us the way that they do especially when we do what they tell us to. Now there are numerous reasons for this type of response. It could range from a simple emotional reaction to being uncertain about what decision to make. Today as we read thru our chapters, we note the actions and responses of Abram and Sarai being placed under the difficult circumstance of waiting on the Lord’s promise. By this point in the narrative, the couple had been waiting for many years for the promised child. As Abram became discouraged, the Lord would reach out to Him and encourage him with the picture of the stars. There’s something really special about this action b/c it display God’s compassion for Abram. Instead of rebuking him for being impatient, He would console him.
Later Sarai would become impatient as well and would tell her husband to sleep with their slave in order to have a child which Abram quickly obeys. But after conceiving she would despise the slave. Talk about a messed up situation. But when you dig deeper you would realize that the issue wasn’t really just about having a child but God delivering on His promise. The act of conception wouldn’t fulfill this and Sarai would painfully come to realize this.
Like Sarai, it is easy for us to try to take a short cut in our relationship with the Lord and not be patient to wait on the Lord. We can take a job we really shouldn’t or get into a relationship when we or the other person aren’t spiritually ready. God challenges us to trust and seek Him and He will take care of the rest.
Take care guys and God bless!
Coram Deo,
P. Ben