Daily Reading: Genesis 18
Scripture Focus: He [Abraham] sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day. He lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing in front of him. (Genesis 18.1-2)
Devotional Thought: I love the story of Abraham's encounter with God in Genesis 18! Theologians call this appearance of God a 'theophany,' God revealing himself in physical form. I tend to agree with them. The 'three men' before Abraham were a revelation of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I thought about this particular appearance of God and realized that...
Abraham sat at the door of his tent. Abraham was facing outward. He was in a position to see God when he showed up. Too often we get ourselves in a position where we could not see God even if he did show up. Our doubt, anger, sin, jealousy, etc. cloud our vision.
It was the heat of the day. When life's pressures mount and the heat builds up, we need to watch for God! He will show up if we wait.
He lifted up his eyes. There are times when we need to make a choice, to assert our will, in order to see God. I have a friend who says, "God never shows up to help me." My friend is so negative that he won't lift his eyes to see that God is there.
He looked. We have to be willing to consider what God is saying, not just to see him, but to really think, "Hey, this might be just what I need," and then to taste and see that the Lord is good!
God showed up! The three men appeared to a seeking Abraham. When we need him and when we look for him, God is faithful! God says, "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart!" (Jeremiah 29.13)
Do you need a theophany? Look for God in the small things of life. You will find him there.
Prayer: Father, I confess that all too often I am willing to set my gaze low. I do not see when you appear. I do not hear when you speak. Come to me, O Lord, I look for you. I wait for you. I seek you with all my heart. Amen.
Psalm of the Day: 19 He brought me out into a broad place; he rescued me, because he delighted in me. 20 The LORD dealt with me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands he rewarded me. 21 For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God. 22 For all his rules were before me, and his statutes I did not put away from me. 23 I was blameless before him, and I kept myself from my guilt. 24 So the LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his sight. (Psalms 18:19-24)
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