What would you do if God came to your house? We see here the response of Abraham, who receives the Lord‘s company with rever-ence and generous hospitality. - P24
There are some clear parallels between Abraham‘s actions and the Gospels‘ account of the sinful woman who anointed Jesus‘ feet with perfume and wiped them with her hair. - P24
It is a reminder that worship is not all about sacred rites and singing praises. Our God first lowered Himself to become human in our midst, and He invites us to have a relationship with Him so that we might know Him and truly understand how worthy He is of our worship. - P24
In contrast to Abraham‘s humble deference, Sarah rather flippantly laughs at their guest‘s announcement that she will soon bear a son. - P24
And when she is gently confronted about her response, she lies andembarrasses herself. This incident demonstrates an important truth:while God comes down to our level for the sake of authentic relationship, we must never forget that He is the infinite Creator and sovereign Ruler of all things, whose Word is as absolute as His very being. - P24
Rather than make light of God‘s promises as Sarah did, let us be like Mary, the mother of Jesus, who, when faced with a similar announcement responded, "I am the Lord‘s servant... May your word to me be fulfilled" (Luke 1:38). - P24
"Absorb the Word into your system by dwelling on it, pondering it, going over it again and again in your mind, considering it from many different angles, until it becomes part of you." Nancy Leigh DeMoss - P24
God invites us to relate with Him in a tender and familiar way, as He reveals in Scripture that He is our Father and our friend. But we should never approach Himin a way that undermines His holy nature and absolute sovereignty. - P25
Ultimately this tension is resolved in Christ, who empathizes with our every weakness while remaining limitless in knowledge and power. He is the eternal God who died for our sins; the perfect bridge betweenGod and humankind. - P25
Lord God, thank you for revealing Yourself in ways that I can understand. Help me to respond to You in faith and obedience when confronted with things that go beyond my understanding, giving You the honor that You deserve. In Jesus‘ name, amen. - P25
9 "Where is your wife Sarah?" they asked him. "There, in the tent," he said. 10 Then one of them said, "I willsurely return to you about this time next year, and Sarahwife will have a son." Now Sarah was listening atthe entrance to the tent, which was behind him. - P23
11 Abraham and Sarah were already very old, and Sarahwas past the age of childbearing. 12 So Sarah laughedto herself as she thought, "After I am worn out and mylord is old, will I now have this pleasure?" - P23
13 Then the LORD said to Abraham, "Why did Sarahlaugh and say, ‘Will I really have a child, now that I amold?‘ 14 Is anything too hard for the LORD? I will returnto you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah willhave a son."
- P23
15 Sarah was afraid, so she lied and said, "I did notlaugh." But he said, "Yes, you did laugh." - P23
|