Sunday, January 24, 2010

Making a Mess of Things - January 17, 2010

Daily Reading

Daily Verse
Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised.
Genesis 17:24


Daily Thought

Sarah, Abraham's wife, can't have children, so she tells Abraham to sleep with her maidservant Hagar. Abraham does, Ishmael is born, Sarah is jealous, and Hagar and Ishmael are kicked out of the house. But God sends them back. Fast forward, surprise, Sarah gets pregnant, and Ishmael has a brother, Isaac. So Sarah kicks Ishmael and Hagar out of the house. Again.

Abraham's grandson Jacob, not to be outdone, married two women, with maidservants. Wife #1 had 4 sons, then Maidservant #2 had 2 sons. Maidservant #1 had 2 sons. Wife #1 had 2 more sons. And a daughter. Wife #2, at last, 2 sons. Twelve sons. And a daughter.

When Abraham was 75 years old, God promised Abraham a large family. He would father a great nation. Abraham and his family, trying to help God out, made a mess of things.

God did not want Abraham's help. He wanted Abraham's faith. Circumcision would be the sign of Abraham's faith in God's promise.

Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised. Honestly, speaking on behalf of men, that sentence stands on its own.

To God's Glory,
Dave

Daily Prayer

Our Father, Your Word is true. You are the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. The First and the Last, Alpha and Omega, the Solid Rock, a Firm Foundation.

Our faith in You is wise, because You are worthy of our trust. Help us not only to have faith in You, but to be faithful to You. May our actions demonstrate that we fully trust You with our lives.

Amen

No comments:

Post a Comment