Hey everyone,
It’s great to be back. Thanks to all of you guys for your prayers and support. Thanks also to all of you who came out and participated in our EM Members Meeting. A reminder that we’ll be returning to our EM Bible Studies on Wednesday nights at 7pm and College Bible Studies on Friday at 6pm. Hope you can take the time to join us. Here’s today’s devotion:
Monday, January 18th – Genesis 18
In our reading today, we are reminded of the God’s compassion as well as His view on humor. At the beginning of our chapter, Abraham and Sarah are approached by three visitors that once again validate the prophetical message of the Lord that they would have a child. Sarah would overhear this and would laugh. How are we to take the issue of laughter? Now there are some Christians would believe that laughter has no part in the Christian life. Obviously that’s not the case as we see many example in the Word of humor being used in different redemptive ways. On the other hand, if we tend to take everything as a joke then we can miss the serious nature of this life and to take our calling seriously. The reason that Sarah would be rebuked wasn’t b/c the Lord doesn’t appreciate humor but b/c of the nature of the laughter. She would laugh b/c she believed that there was no way for the Lord to give her a child. But didn’t Abraham laugh before at
the same issue? Was the Lord being biased? Remember that since Abraham heard it the first time, it wasn’t that he doubted God but knew that it was humanly impossible but by the time the three visitors came, this would be the second time and there was no reason for her to question God’s power. Likewise we can go thru times where we question God and try to take things into our own hands. I’ve seen this happen so much in the matter of grades, finances, and relationships. We compromise in our faith b/c we don’t think that God can provide. God tells us thru His Word that as He provided for Abraham and Sarah, He will provide in His pleasing ways as well.
Later on, the Lord would tell Abraham that He was going to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah b/c of their wickedness. Abraham would continue to “bargain” with God and lower the number to 10 righteous people. Of course there weren’t even 10 and so later the city would be destroyed. Why would God even allow Abraham to “bargain” in this manner? If we were in God’s shoes, we wouldn’t put up with this so why would our God? He would show us that He indeed is a compassionate God. If you really think about it, how amazing is it that the God of this universe would deal with His people in this manner.
Have a great week in the Lord everyone and God bless!
In His Grace,
P. Ben