Reach Church Reach Church

After only eight chapters, Genesis 20 gives us a huge déjà vu. As Abraham has a repeated struggle with his faith, we think things like, “Not again…” and “He should know better by now.” Yet these are the same thoughts we have toward ourselves in repeated unwanted behaviors. How do we walk this messy journey of sanctification? Who will rescue us from this struggle?

In Mark, Jesus said “Let the children come to me”. There’s an invitation for His people to have a simple faith that is childlike; full of expectancy and awe. It all begins with seeing what Jesus did for us, and understanding why He did it.

The story of Sodom and Gomorrah is heavy. It can be hard to comprehend the depths of the disease of sin. It can be hard to grapple with God’s righteous judgement of sin. And even still, we can see the compassion and mercy of God. Lot had an advocate. And so do we.

In this powerful text, Yahweh appears to Abraham to hand deliver yet another promise of a son. Abraham gets to look into God’s eyes, in some wildly mysterious way, and see the commitment and purpose held in His gaze. We also gain wonderful insight into Abraham’s dynamic relationship with God through an awkwardly beautiful give and take.

Thus far, God has made unconditional promises to Abram through covenant. Now, he invites him and all future offspring to trust in the Lord. Trusting, we will find, may not be as easy as one assumes.

Waiting on the Lord is challenging. Sometimes when we are waiting on Him, we choose to take things into our own hands. This is certainly the case in the account of Abram, Sarai and Hagar. There is a cost to doing it our way. Even still, the Lord is faithful and near.