The Watford Church of Christ Podcast
We are on a journey to that future life exploring the incredible plans God has for us on earth to love Him and to love others. Join us on this journey!
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Episodes
Friday Feb 05, 2021
Friday Feb 05, 2021
Would you like to learn more about faith? You've come to the right person. No, not me, Abraham. This is a daily devotional podcast supporting a teaching series for the Watford church of Christ and the Thames Valley churches of Christ called "Adventures in faith with Abraham". It is also part of my quiet time coaching series.
What is it about Abraham which is so admirable? Many things. But perhaps above all else his adventurous faith, “By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.” (Hebrews 11:8 NIV11)
Join me as we step out on a faith adventure with Abraham.
Episode 40
Today we start chapter 20.
“Now Abraham moved on from there into the region of the Negev and lived between Kadesh and Shur. For a while he stayed in Gerar, and there Abraham said of his wife Sarah, “She is my sister.” Then Abimelek king of Gerar sent for Sarah and took her.” (Genesis 20:1–2 NIV11)
What are we seeing here? A sin pattern.
We don’t know why Abraham moved into the Negev. Perhaps it was the shock of the situation regarding Sodom, Gomorrah and Lot. It could be that word of what Lot’s daughters had done reached him. Bad news regarding family might be the most disturbing news of all.
It is notable that although he goes to the Negev he doesn’t carry on as far as Egypt this time. Perhaps he has learned at least one lesson – Egypt is not a safe refuge (Genesis 12:9-10).
Abraham stays in Gerar on the South Eastern border of Canaan. There he repeats a half-truth - the most dangerous truth of all. Yes, Sarah is his ‘sister’ in one sense (Genesis 20:12), but, Abraham is fully aware that her status as his wife outweighs any other designation. Neither lies nor half-lies fool God. They fool Abimelek - temporarily.
Devotional thought for today
We will unpack the detail of what happens in Gerar in the following podcasts. Today let’s consider an unfortunate reality. You and I repeat sins. Some rarely. Some frequently.
I remember a talk I heard many years ago. It might have been Mike Tolliver. He opined that we never ultimately overcome all sins. Not in this life:
“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.” (1 John 1:8 NIV11)
Yet, Mike said, it should be possible to eliminate some sins completely. If we believe in the power of the Spirit, and the ever-increasing Christ-likeness God is growing in us, then is it not possible to overcome some sins?
“And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 3:18 NIV11)
What do you think? Do you have a vision to conquer a sin?
Prayer point for today
Ask God to help you develop the faith to defeat a repeated sin in your life
If you have any questions or feedback please contact me: malcolm@malcolmcox.org.
The apostle Paul said of Abraham, “He is the father of us all.” (Romans 4:16 NIV11) Let's allow him to be the father of Faith to you and me in January and February 2021.
Many thanks for listening today. See you tomorrow as we continue our adventure of faith with Abraham.
Take care and God bless, Malcolm
Wednesday Feb 03, 2021
Wednesday Feb 03, 2021
Would you like to learn more about faith? You've come to the right person. No, not me, Abraham. This is a daily devotional podcast supporting a teaching series for the Watford church of Christ and the Thames Valley churches of Christ called "Adventures in faith with Abraham". It is also part of my quiet time coaching series.
What is it about Abraham which is so admirable? Many things. But perhaps above all else his adventurous faith, “By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.” (Hebrews 11:8 NIV11)
Join me as we step out on a faith adventure with Abraham.
Episode 38
Today we continue in chapter 19.
“By the time Lot reached Zoar, the sun had risen over the land. Then the LORD rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah—from the LORD out of the heavens. Thus he overthrew those cities and the entire plain, destroying all those living in the cities—and also the vegetation in the land. But Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt. Early the next morning Abraham got up and returned to the place where he had stood before the LORD. He looked down toward Sodom and Gomorrah, toward all the land of the plain, and he saw dense smoke rising from the land, like smoke from a furnace. So when God destroyed the cities of the plain, he remembered Abraham, and he brought Lot out of the catastrophe that overthrew the cities where Lot had lived.” (Genesis 19:23–29 NIV11)
What are we seeing here? God pays attention to sincere prayers.
There is no getting away from the fact that this scene is tragic. We don’t have time to go into the reasons for God’s drastic action. That will have to wait for a teaching opportunity. But, given that God is just, the situation in Sodom must have been so dreadful that had we been there we would have understood God’s actions.
Perhaps to key phrase in this section is, “he remembered Abraham”. What does this mean? Had the LORD forgotten him? Unlikely. It seems that, although Abraham’s intercessory prayers did not save Sodom, they influenced the Lord in rescuing Lot and his family.
Devotional thought for today
As Abraham surveys the wreckage of Sodom we do not know whether he is aware that Lot has been rescued. For all he knows his prayers were inadequate and a waste of time. Yet God, in his friendship with Abraham, and in honouring his covenant with him, has attended to his prayers and rescued his nephew.
Sometimes we pray and don’t see our prayers answered. Or at least we don’t see them answered before our eyes. Who knows what effect they are having in places we cannot see? No intercessory prayer is wasted. It has its affect on somebody somewhere. We may never be aware of the full impact of her prayers until we are in the next life. God always “remembers” you and your prayers.
Prayer point for today
Ask God to grant you the confidence that he always ‘remembers’ you and your prayers
If you have any questions or feedback please contact me: malcolm@malcolmcox.org.
The apostle Paul said of Abraham, “He is the father of us all.” (Romans 4:16 NIV11) Let's allow him to be the father of Faith to you and me in January and February 2021.
Many thanks for listening today. See you tomorrow as we continue our adventure of faith with Abraham.
Take care and God bless, Malcolm
Tuesday Feb 02, 2021
Tuesday Feb 02, 2021
Would you like to learn more about faith? You've come to the right person. No, not me, Abraham. This is a daily devotional podcast supporting a teaching series for the Watford church of Christ and the Thames Valley churches of Christ called "Adventures in faith with Abraham". It is also part of my quiet time coaching series.
What is it about Abraham which is so admirable? Many things. But perhaps above all else his adventurous faith, “By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.” (Hebrews 11:8 NIV11)
Join me as we step out on a faith adventure with Abraham.
Episode 37Today we continue in chapter 19.“The two men said to Lot, “Do you have anyone else here—sons-in-law, sons or daughters, or anyone else in the city who belongs to you? Get them out of here, because we are going to destroy this place. The outcry to the LORD against its people is so great that he has sent us to destroy it.” So Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law, who were pledged to marry his daughters. He said, “Hurry and get out of this place, because the LORD is about to destroy the city!” But his sons-in-law thought he was joking. With the coming of dawn, the angels urged Lot, saying, “Hurry! Take your wife and your two daughters who are here, or you will be swept away when the city is punished.” When he hesitated, the men grasped his hand and the hands of his wife and of his two daughters and led them safely out of the city, for the LORD was merciful to them. As soon as they had brought them out, one of them said, “Flee for your lives! Don’t look back, and don’t stop anywhere in the plain! Flee to the mountains or you will be swept away!” But Lot said to them, “No, my lords, please! Your servant has found favor in your eyes, and you have shown great kindness to me in sparing my life. But I can’t flee to the mountains; this disaster will overtake me, and I’ll die. Look, here is a town near enough to run to, and it is small. Let me flee to it—it is very small, isn’t it? Then my life will be spared.” He said to him, “Very well, I will grant this request too; I will not overthrow the town you speak of. But flee there quickly, because I cannot do anything until you reach it.” (That is why the town was called Zoar. )” (Genesis 19:12–22 NIV11)What are we seeing here? The dangers of doubting God.Why do his sons in law not to take him seriously? Might it be that his lack of respect for God has rubbed off on them? Where Abraham is urgent, Lot hesitates. Where Abraham is thorough Lot looks to compromise. He has been told the mountains will be his salvation, but his interpretation is that aiming at the mountains will bring him to disaster. He is forgetting that this is God’s judgement and he is in control. Lot is struggling to obey and trust God. The angels have already performed a miracle in blinding the men at his door. He should have had no trouble taking them seriously and doing what they said.Devotional thought for todayHaving a doubt is not a problem. Expressing that doubt is not blasphemous. What is tragic is when doubt is used to to argue ourselves out of obedience. Do you not allow doubt to drive you away from God. Your doubts are within your control. Perhaps you can prevent yourself from thinking doubtful thoughts, but you can take those doubts to God and allow him to help you to resolve them in his presence“Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”” (John 20:27 NIV11)
Prayer point for today
Tell God your doubts and ask him to help you process them in a spiritually healthy way
If you have any questions or feedback please contact me: malcolm@malcolmcox.org.
The apostle Paul said of Abraham, “He is the father of us all.” (Romans 4:16 NIV11) Let's allow him to be the father of Faith to you and me in January and February 2021.
Many thanks for listening today. See you tomorrow as we continue our adventure of faith with Abraham.
Take care and God bless, Malcolm
Monday Feb 01, 2021
Monday Feb 01, 2021
Dr. Boakye watch takes us on a tour of the New Testament revealing faith lessons from the life of Abraham.
Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.
Do you have a question about the Bible or the Christian faith? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send us your questions or suggestions.
Thanks again for listening. Have a super day.
God bless,
Malcolm
Monday Feb 01, 2021
Monday Feb 01, 2021
Would you like to learn more about faith? You've come to the right person. No, not me, Abraham. This is a daily devotional podcast supporting a teaching series for the Watford church of Christ and the Thames Valley churches of Christ called "Adventures in faith with Abraham". It is also part of my quiet time coaching series.
What is it about Abraham which is so admirable? Many things. But perhaps above all else his adventurous faith, “By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.” (Hebrews 11:8 NIV11)
Join me as we step out on a faith adventure with Abraham.Episode 36Today we move on to chapter 19.“The two angels arrived at Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gateway of the city. When he saw them, he got up to meet them and bowed down with his face to the ground. “My lords,” he said, “please turn aside to your servant’s house. You can wash your feet and spend the night and then go on your way early in the morning.” “No,” they answered, “we will spend the night in the square.” But he insisted so strongly that they did go with him and entered his house. He prepared a meal for them, baking bread without yeast, and they ate. Before they had gone to bed, all the men from every part of the city of Sodom—both young and old—surrounded the house. They called to Lot, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us so that we can have sex with them.” Lot went outside to meet them and shut the door behind him and said, “No, my friends. Don’t do this wicked thing. Look, I have two daughters who have never slept with a man. Let me bring them out to you, and you can do what you like with them. But don’t do anything to these men, for they have come under the protection of my roof.” “Get out of our way,” they replied. “This fellow came here as a foreigner, and now he wants to play the judge! We’ll treat you worse than them.” They kept bringing pressure on Lot and moved forward to break down the door. But the men inside reached out and pulled Lot back into the house and shut the door. Then they struck the men who were at the door of the house, young and old, with blindness so that they could not find the door.” (Genesis 19:1–11 NIV11)What are we seeing here? That pressure perverts priorities.Lot is determined to offer hospitality. He ‘insisted’ - a Hebrew word that means something like, “he twisted their arms”. In this he reminds us of Abraham. Eager and urgent to provide hospitality.His instincts are correct. Yet, his priorities become perverted. Under pressure from the townsfolk he offers them his daughters to do with them as they please. Lot’s angelic guests are having none of this. They pull their host inside and strike the men outside with blindness. Lot moved away from Abram’s side. He migrated from ‘near Sodom’ (Gen 13:12) to living ‘in Sodom’ (Gen 14:12). His heart drifted inexorably further away from God’s heart, thus allowing his priorities to be perverted.Devotional thought for todayAre you feeling the pressure at the moment? I’m sure you are. I certainly am. What can we do to maintain a spiritual perspective at pressure points?“We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers.” (2 Corinthians 1:8–11 NIV11)God is aware of how we are feeling when the pressure gets too great. He is available for strength. His part is the strength supply. Ours is to set our hope on him. Our spiritual disciplines of prayer, silence, solitude and the like are tools that may help us to:“...set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” (Colossians 3:1–2 NIV11)Why not take some time today to dwell on the the reason for setting our hearts and minds on things above? What is that reason? That we have “been raised with Christ”.Prayer point for todayAsk God to help you celebrate your new life in Christ and, in so doing, give you the strength under pressure you needIf you have any questions or feedback please contact me: malcolm@malcolmcox.org.
The apostle Paul said of Abraham, “He is the father of us all.” (Romans 4:16 NIV11) Let's allow him to be the father of Faith to you and me in January and February 2021.
Many thanks for listening today. See you tomorrow as we continue our adventure of faith with Abraham.
Take care and God bless, Malcolm
Sunday Jan 31, 2021
Sunday Jan 31, 2021
Tut
Would you like to learn more about faith? You've come to the right person. No, not me, Abraham. This is a daily devotional podcast supporting a teaching series for the Watford church of Christ and the Thames Valley churches of Christ called "Adventures in faith with Abraham". It is also part of my quiet time coaching series.
What is it about Abraham which is so admirable? Many things. But perhaps above all else his adventurous faith, “By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.” (Hebrews 11:8 NIV11)
Join me as we step out on a faith adventure with Abraham.
Episode 35
Today we pause before going on to chapter 19. We will take a moment or two to consider what we learn about Abraham from this chapter. How does he see himself?
His humility is in clear view.
“Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground.” Gen 18:2
Abraham is eager to honour others above himself. His generosity is an expression of his humility. Later he refers to himself in this way:
“..though I am nothing but dust and ashes” Gen 18:27
He is not unaware of his significance. He knows he is chosen. Yet there is no arrogance in his addressing God. No presumption. Instead an appropriate humility.
In addition we see his boldness.
“The men turned away and went toward Sodom, but Abraham remained standing before the LORD. Then Abraham approached him and said...” Gen 18:22-23
Abraham does not wait for God to invite his thoughts, but takes them directly to him. Indeed he addresses God courageously:
“Far be it from you to do such a thing...” v25
Our hero presumes to call God to conform to his character. And again,
“Now that I have been so bold as to speak to the Lord” (Genesis 18:27 NIV11)
Yes, he has been bold! He continues to push the envelope until he feels he has gone far enough.
Devotional thought for today
Blending humility and boldness is not something we see too often in society. Many of us find it a challenge to come to God with the kind of courage and humility we see in Abraham. That’s why we need to study people like Abraham. His relationship with God, without the advantage of the indwelling Spirit, is an inspiration.
Take a moment to consider how you habitually address God. Are you stronger in humility than boldness? Or is it the other way round? What would help you to grow in your weaker area?
Prayer point for today
Ask God to help you address him with a confident courage, and a confident humility.
If you have any questions or feedback please contact me: malcolm@malcolmcox.org.
The apostle Paul said of Abraham, “He is the father of us all.” (Romans 4:16 NIV11) Let's allow him to be the father of Faith to you and me in January and February 2021.
Many thanks for listening today. See you tomorrow as we continue our adventure of faith with Abraham.
Take care and God bless, Malcolm
Saturday Jan 30, 2021
Saturday Jan 30, 2021
Would you like to learn more about faith? You've come to the right person. No, not me, Abraham. This is a daily devotional podcast supporting a teaching series for the Watford church of Christ and the Thames Valley churches of Christ called "Adventures in faith with Abraham". It is also part of my quiet time coaching series.What is it about Abraham which is so admirable? Many things. But perhaps above all else his adventurous faith, “By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.” (Hebrews 11:8 NIV11)Join me as we step out on a faith adventure with Abraham.Episode 34Today we continue in chapter 18“And the LORD said, “The outcry of Sodom and Gomorrah is indeed great, and their sin is exceedingly grave. “I will go down now, and see if they have done entirely according to its outcry, which has come to Me; and if not, I will know.” Then the men turned away from there and went toward Sodom, while Abraham was still standing before the LORD. Abraham came near and said, “Will You indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? “Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city; will You indeed sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous who are in it? “Far be it from You to do such a thing, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth deal justly?” So the LORD said, “If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare the whole place on their account.” And Abraham replied, “Now behold, I have ventured to speak to the Lord, although I am but dust and ashes. “Suppose the fifty righteous are lacking five, will You destroy the whole city because of five?” And He said, “I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there.” He spoke to Him yet again and said, “Suppose forty are found there?” And He said, “I will not do it on account of the forty.” Then he said, “Oh may the Lord not be angry, and I shall speak; suppose thirty are found there?” And He said, “I will not do it if I find thirty there.” And he said, “Now behold, I have ventured to speak to the Lord; suppose twenty are found there?” And He said, “I will not destroy it on account of the twenty.” Then he said, “Oh may the Lord not be angry, and I shall speak only this once; suppose ten are found there?” And He said, “I will not destroy it on account of the ten.” As soon as He had finished speaking to Abraham the LORD departed, and Abraham returned to his place.” (Genesis 18:20–33 NAS95)What are we seeing here? A man who understands the heart of God.The key phrase in this section might be, “and if not..” It is as if God is inviting Abraham to take up the intercessor role. Abraham was paying attention and seizes his opportunity. Later in Israelite history other significant figures pray for Israelites. But here Abraham prays for Canaanites. What does this reveal? It tells us that Abraham knew God cared about all people - not just the chosen. We have here an illustration of the mercy of God reflected in the heart of Abraham. Significantly also illustrating that Abraham is to be a blessing to all nations. Ultimately of course this is what Israel is meant to be.Devotional thought for todayAbraham took the opportunity to pray for people who displeased God. Do you? It’s easy to pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ and perhaps for people who we see as fitting our view of godliness. But - the rebellious, the depraved, the licentious? Pray for them?Jesus said, rather annoyingly, “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,” (Matthew 5:44 NIV11)He lived up to this command, praying for those who crucified him:“Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments. Luke 23:34 [ESV]Allow yourself to be inspired by that example to pray today for those who disgust you.Prayer point for todayAsk God to give you the heart to pray for someone who rejects your valuesIf you have any questions or feedback please contact me: malcolm@malcolmcox.org.The apostle Paul said of Abraham, “He is the father of us all.” (Romans 4:16 NIV11) Let's allow him to be the father of Faith to you and me in January and February 2021.Many thanks for listening today. See you tomorrow as we continue our adventure of faith with Abraham.Take care and God bless, Malcolm
Friday Jan 29, 2021
Friday Jan 29, 2021
Would you like to learn more about faith? You've come to the right person. No, not me, Abraham. I’m Malcolm Cox and this is a daily devotional podcast supporting a teaching series for the Watford church of Christ and the Thames Valley churches of Christ called "Adventures in faith with Abraham". It is also part of my quiet time coaching series.What is it about Abraham which is so admirable? Many things. But perhaps above all else his adventurous faith, “By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.” (Hebrews 11:8 NIV11)Join me as we step out on a faith adventure with Abraham.Episode 33Today we continue in chapter 18“Then the men rose up from there, and looked down toward Sodom; and Abraham was walking with them to send them off. The LORD said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do, since Abraham will surely become a great and mighty nation, and in him all the nations of the earth will be blessed? “For I have chosen him, so that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice, so that the LORD may bring upon Abraham what He has spoken about him.”” (Genesis 18:16–19 NAS95)What are we seeing here? The benefits of walking in the presence of God.As mentioned at the start of the chapter, God’s desire is not that Abraham know about him, or even know him, but consciously walk through this life in his presence.Here we see the first example of what this means. The LORD confers with his companions. Who are they? Perhaps part of the divine counsel (Jeremiah 23:18). Will they bring Abraham into the kind of relationship with God that the prophets will later enjoy?They will. Abraham is a proto-prophet in his connection to God as well as his intercessory intensity - so often replicated in later prophets.Devotional thought for todayGod is never one to settle for a shallow relationship. Mere acknowledgment is not enough. Acquaintance is inadequate. What God wants is partnership. Admittedly an unequal partnership, but a partnership characterised by respect.We share in this privilege even more personally than Abraham. We have the Spirit. “The world cannot accept him [the Spirit of truth], because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.” (John 14:17 NIV11)“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” (John 14:26 NIV11)Who do you want to walk through life with? The Spirit, of course! Prayer point for todayAsk God to help you stay in step with the Spirit as you walk through your day.If you have any questions or feedback please contact me: malcolm@malcolmcox.org.The apostle Paul said of Abraham, “He is the father of us all.” (Romans 4:16 NIV11) Let's allow him to be the father of Faith to you and me in January and February 2021.Many thanks for listening today. See you tomorrow as we continue our adventure of faith with Abraham.Take care and God bless, Malcolm
Thursday Jan 28, 2021
Thursday Jan 28, 2021
Would you like to learn more about faith? You've come to the right person. No, not me, Abraham. This is a daily devotional podcast supporting a teaching series for the Watford church of Christ and the Thames Valley churches of Christ called "Adventures in faith with Abraham". It is also part of my quiet time coaching series.
What is it about Abraham which is so admirable? Many things. But perhaps above all else his adventurous faith, “By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.” (Hebrews 11:8 NIV11)
Join me as we step out on a faith adventure with Abraham.
Episode 32
Today we continue in chapter 18
““Where is your wife Sarah?” they asked him. “There, in the tent,” he said. Then one of them said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son.” Now Sarah was listening at the entrance to the tent, which was behind him. Abraham and Sarah were already very old, and Sarah was past the age of childbearing. So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, “After I am worn out and my lord is old, will I now have this pleasure?” Then the LORD said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really have a child, now that I am old?’ Is anything too hard for the LORD? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son.” Sarah was afraid, so she lied and said, “I did not laugh.” But he said, “Yes, you did laugh.”” (Genesis 18:9–15 NIV11)
What are we seeing here? Divine tolerance.
When Abraham received the promise he fell facedown. When Sarah received the promise she laughed! Should we read anything into that? I'm not sure, but here are some thoughts from the Word Biblical Commentary:
"These remarks of Sarah’s show us the basis of her doubts. She laughed not out of cocky arrogance but because a life of long disappointment had taught her not to clutch at straws. Hopelessness, not pride, underlay her unbelief. Her self-restraint in not openly expressing her doubts and the sadness behind them go far to explain the gentleness of the divine rebuke."
The correction by the messenger is less than it could have been. It is not a rebuke. Perhaps we are seeing an indication of God’s grace. Also, perhaps an emphasis on the name of Isaac. Sarah is already speaking his name, meaning, as it does, “he laughs”.
Devotional thought for today
For the first time it is explicitly stated that Sarah is the one through whom the promised son will come. The promise is laughable. Why? Sarah is post-menopause.
She is astonished at the promise - the LORD is astonished at her lack of faith. How human Sarah is, and how un-Godlike is our thinking when faced with the ‘impossible’.
We might think of the situation in Matthew’s Gospel:
“When Jesus entered the synagogue leader’s house and saw the noisy crowd and people playing pipes, he said, “Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep.” But they laughed at him. After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up.” (Matthew 9:23–25 NIV11)
Jesus was laughed at. Imagine that! The one who created laughter is on the receiving end of mocking laughter. Yet he has the last laugh. The impossible is made possible. The dead one is alive. We live this truth. Jesus died to defeat death. How odd.
Death is a laughing matter!
Prayer point for today
Ask God to strengthen your ability to trust in his ability to do what is impossible.
If you have any questions or feedback please contact me: malcolm@malcolmcox.org.
The apostle Paul said of Abraham, “He is the father of us all.” (Romans 4:16 NIV11) Let's allow him to be the father of Faith to you and me in January and February 2021.
Many thanks for listening today. See you tomorrow as we continue our adventure of faith with Abraham.
Take care and God bless, Malcolm
Wednesday Jan 27, 2021
Wednesday Jan 27, 2021
Would you like to learn more about faith? You've come to the right person. No, not me, Abraham. This is a daily devotional podcast supporting a teaching series for the Watford church of Christ and the Thames Valley churches of Christ called "Adventures in faith with Abraham". It is also part of my quiet time coaching series.What is it about Abraham which is so admirable? Many things. But perhaps above all else his adventurous faith, “By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.” (Hebrews 11:8 NIV11)Join me as we step out on a faith adventure with Abraham.Episode 31Today we start chapter 18“The LORD appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day. Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground. He said, “If I have found favour in your eyes, my lord, do not pass your servant by. Let a little water be brought, and then you may all wash your feet and rest under this tree. Let me get you something to eat, so you can be refreshed and then go on your way—now that you have come to your servant.” “Very well,” they answered, “do as you say.” So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah. “Quick,” he said, “get three seahs of the finest flour and knead it and bake some bread.” Then he ran to the herd and selected a choice, tender calf and gave it to a servant, who hurried to prepare it. He then brought some curds and milk and the calf that had been prepared, and set these before them. While they ate, he stood near them under a tree.” (Genesis 18:1–8 NIV11)What are we seeing here? Generosity in action.The phrase "something to eat" is more accurately translated "a small morsel to eat". He is promising little and delivering much.The Word Biblical Commentary puts it this way:"His “bit of food” turns out to be a feast. If a seah is about two gallons (eight litres), “three seahs of best wheat flour” would make a great quantity of bread, while to kill “a bull” for just three visitors shows royal generosity: a lamb or a goat would have been more than adequate (cf 2 Sam 12:4; Luke 15:27–30)."What is more impressive is that at this point, it doesn't appear Abraham realises the true identity of his visitors. We know it is "the Lord", he does not. And yet, he offers tremendous generosity.Devotional thought for todayOffering generosity to other people is a way of worshipping. It's interesting that Abraham “bowed low to the ground” (v2). He was, in a sense, worshipping God without realising it. Perhaps that's what's behind the following scripture:“Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.” (Hebrews 13:2 NIV11)One of the key practical ways faith expresses itself is by generosity. That generosity is often connected to hospitality. Has God provided you with a channel for hospitality? Is there a way you could be generous? If you were to act in a generous way today, what would that look like? Who would notice? Not that people noticing is the point, but how would you know you had been generous? Prayer point for todayAsk God to help you act generously to whoever he puts into your life today whether in the flesh or virtuallyIf you have any questions or feedback please contact me: malcolm@malcolmcox.org.The apostle Paul said of Abraham, “He is the father of us all.” (Romans 4:16 NIV11) Let's allow him to be the father of Faith to you and me in January and February 2021.Many thanks for listening today. See you tomorrow as we continue our adventure of faith with Abraham.Take care and God bless, Malcolm