# 187 Humpty Dumpty

The Book of Genesis

Day 187

Ge 21:12 But God said to Abraham, "Do not let it be displeasing in your sight because of the lad or because of your bondwoman. Whatever Sarah has said to you, listen to her voice; for in Isaac your seed shall be called.  13 "Yet I will also make a nation of the son of the bondwoman, because he is your seed."

What a tough time for Abraham.  Sarah had asked him to kick his own flesh and blood out of the house, and for the sake of peace in his house, I think he knew he had to do it. Let’s talk a little bit about peace, because I think God wants to show us something here about peace.

If you recall last time we talked about Abraham being “displeased” and the Hebrew word used for “displeased” means  “broken in pieces.” This is very much related to peace, or a lack thereof! You likely have heard the greeting “Shalom,” at one time or another. It is the Hebrew word for peace and it comes from a word that means to be “whole.” If something is whole it is undisturbed..it is at peace.

God tells Abraham here to not let the situation with Ishmael and Isaac disturb his peace.  He assures Abraham that both of his boys will be taken care of in accordance with God’s will. Abraham need not be “broken into pieces” over this matter.

What is it that is shattering your wholeness today? What worry is robbing you of your peace? No matter what it is, (large or small) take it to the Lord. God knew the turmoil in Abraham’s heart and He spoke to him and put the pieces back together again for him.

Is the devil disturbing your peace today? May I suggest that you do an internet search on bible verses that speak of peace, then look them up and let God speak peace to your heart.  In the meantime, remember this:

Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall

Humpty Dumpty had a great fall

All the kings horses and all the king’s men

Couldn’t put Humpty Dumpty back together again.

The world does not have the answer for peace…..Jesus does. He can “put you back together again!

Joh 14:27 "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

And

Isa 26:3 You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.

# 186 Blood Is Thicker Than Water

The Book of Genesis

Day 186

Ge 21:8 So the child grew and was weaned. And Abraham made a great feast on the same day that Isaac was weaned.  9 And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, scoffing. 10 Therefore she said to Abraham, "Cast out this bondwoman and her son; for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, namely with Isaac.” 11 And the matter was very displeasing in Abraham's sight because of his son.

Isaac grows and about the age of 2, Abraham throws a great big party, and Sarah notices that Ishmael (who was about 14 at this time) is scoffing about the whole deal.  We weren’t at the party so we really don’t know what this scoffing entailed, but judging by Sarah’s reaction, it must’ve had something to do with Ishmael’s standing as Abraham’s first born son.This scoffing by Ishmael, was just what Sarah was likely waiting for. In her mind, she now had cause to cast out Ishmael and secure the inheritance rights of Isaac.

Abraham does not receive this news very well. He was “displeased.” Frankly that word isn’t strong enough. The Hebrew word carries with it the idea of being broken in pieces! Why was Abraham so devastated? Verse 10 says because Ishmael was his son.

Let’s get the some understanding here of how strong the connection is between biological parents and their children. It might be helpful to see and grasp as mom and dad and siblings work through the issues of a blended family.  You’ve heard it said that blood is thicker than water….how true!

Ishmael was part and parcel of the flesh and blood of Abraham. This is an irrevocable fact. Laws may be passed, and judgments handed down regarding custody of children, but no law can remove the genetic bond between natural parents and their children. This is one of the reasons that custody battles often turn very bitter.

Sarah’s bond with Isaac was just as strong as Abraham’s bond with Ishmael, and she would do all she could to protect him and his inheritance.

This dilemma is still with us today due to the plethora of divorces and remarriages in our society and in the church. What to do? 

First and foremost is to return to God’s guidelines for sex and marriage in the first place!  But, having said that, if you now find yourself outside the original plan, make the best of it. “Go and sin no more” as Jesus put it. And then remember this new reality of blended families will bring with it very strong emotions with all involved. Therefore, make it a matter of continual prayer asking God to give you  the wisdom, the love, the forgiveness, the patience, you will need when these emotions flare up.

# 185 On Infant Baptism

The Book of Genesis

Day 185

Ge 21:3 And Abraham called the name of his son who was born to him-whom Sarah bore to him-Isaac.  4 Then Abraham circumcised his son Isaac when he was eight days old, as God had commanded him

“As God had commanded him.” Instant obedience on the part of Abraham.  He named the child as God told him to do and he circumcised him, not on the 7^th day or the 9^th day, but on the 8^th day!  He didn’t wait till Uncle Lot could clear his schedule and make it to the ceremony….he circumcised him as God commanded, on the eighth day!

Let’s talk about the link between the Old Testament commandment concerning circumcision and the New Testament commandment of baptism.  This commandment was given to the church as part of the great commission in Mt 28:19,20  "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Just as an infant child born to Hebrew parents was a member of the Jewish nation, so then are infants included in “all the nations.” And even as Isaac couldn’t bring himself to the operating room of Abraham to be circumcised, so it is with infant baptism. Both are brought into the covenant by faith filled friends who believe the promises of God. Abraham acted on faith in God’s promise of a covenantal relationship  with Isaac through circumcision, and New Testament parents bring their infant children to the waters of baptism through the same kind of faith in the promises of God!

The correlation between circumcision and baptism is made evident in Col 2:11,12, “In Him (Jesus) you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ,  12 buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.”

The “sins of the flesh” are removed from the soul by the “circumcision of Christ,” which in the New Testament is water baptism.  How can this be? How can the faith of the parents (who bring their infant children to be baptized) affect the sinful state of the child who was conceived in sin and is in need of forgiveness?

A familiar Bible story will help clarify this matter.

Lu 5:18-20, “ Then behold, men brought on a bed a man who was paralyzed, whom they sought to bring in and lay before Him.  19 And when they could not find how they might bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the housetop and let him down with his bed through the tiling into the midst before Jesus.  20 When He saw their faith, He said to him, "Man, your sins are forgiven you."

Pay attention here. This man was paralyzed. He could not bring himself to Jesus, just as an infant who is conceived in paralyzing sin cannot bring himself or herself to Jesus.  Then note too, who’s faith was mentioned. Was it the paralytic’s faith or the faith of his friends? (v20)

And what did Jesus say to the man? The same thing He says to an infant when brought to Him to “put off the body of sins” in baptism. “your sins are forgiven you.”

One more thing. Even though a certain day has not been commanded to baptize an infant. I really wish we would use the 8^th day! For one thing it places a certain degree of urgency on baptizing the child, and for another it makes the rite all about what God is doing to that child in baptism, rather than making it about Uncle Lot’s day planner.

Pray: Lord thank You for this wonderful assurance you have given to Your church. In the circumcision of Christ (baptism) our sins are washed away through faith in Your promises!

# 184 We Are All Little Isaacs’

The Book of Genesis

Day 184

Ge 21:3 And Abraham called the name of his son who was born to him-whom Sarah bore to him-Isaac.  4 Then Abraham circumcised his son Isaac when he was eight days old, as God had commanded him.  5 Now Abraham was one hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him.  6 And Sarah said, "God has made me laugh, and all who hear will laugh with me." 7 She also said, "Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? For I have borne him a son in his old age."

What a miracle! Sarah’s laughter of unbelief has become the contagious  (all who hear will laugh with me) laughter of overwhelming joy!  God has delivered on His promise!

I think we could use a little more of this contagious joy in the church today! God has delivered on His great promise of salvation made available to all men through the death and resurrection of Jesus! He is risen! He is risen indeed!

Ps 126:3 The LORD has done great things for us, And we are glad.

I can’t put it into words any better than the Holy Spirit did in the 100^th Psalm!

A Psalm of Thanksgiving.>> Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands!

 2 Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before His presence with singing.

 3 Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

 4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.

 5 For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations.

I know that “to everything there is a season,” (Eccl 3:1) but it seems to me that our Sunday mornings ought to be a time of great joy and celebration.  The reason we worship on Sunday in the first place is because it is “the Lord’s Day!” And it’s called the Lord’s Day because it was the day that Jesus rose from the dead!

The sacrifice accepted! Sins forgiven! Captives delivered! We are all little Isaacs miraculously born again from above! Therefore: “ Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! (Phil 4:4)

Pray: Lord, give us  that genuine joy of Sarah, who reveled in Your faithfulness! Your faithfulness is great and so should our joy be. The joy of the Lord is indeed our strength!

# 183 Patient Endurance

The Book of Genesis

Day 183

Ge 21:1 And the LORD visited Sarah as He had said, and the LORD did for Sarah as He had spoken.  2 For Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.

Finally! 25 years have passed since God first promised Abraham that He would make a great nation of him! 25 years! We get impatient with God if our prayers aren’t answered within a week!  It’s fairly clear from some of Abraham’s actions that he had forgotten about the promise or given up on it altogether. But God didn’t forget and He reminded Abraham, of the promise often.

The promise was repeated at the Terebinth tree of Moreh. It was repeated again after he and Lot parted ways. Then again after Abraham’s encounter with Melchizedek. Repeated again when Abraham turned 90. Repeated again when the angels visited him before the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah!  It was at this last time that the actual date of the birth of the child was given to Abraham, and sure enough, Sarah bore a son at the set time of which God had spoken.

25 years of waiting! Sometimes losing faith along the way, some doubting, some fearing, but remaining faithful to God through it all, and God delivered!  My friend, “God is not a man that HE should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken and will He not make it good?” (Num 23:19)

Take heart from the birth of this promised child! Maybe you have been waiting for a promise of God to come to fruition in your life. Time passes on and you forget about it, but God periodically brings the matter to your attention. Keep praying and remain faithful like Abraham. 

The Holy Spirit, speaking to us in the Book of Hebrews says this: Heb 6:10, “For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 11 And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. 13 For when God made a promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, 14 saying, "Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you." 15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.

Patient endurance while continuing in the faith, loving Jesus and others as you wait on the Lord! This is key! Know and believe that God’s timing in delivering His promises is always perfect! Take heart from the birth of Abraham’s and Sarah’s child in the midst of  impossible circumstances. Know that “God was  not slack concerning His promise toward Abraham and Sarah, and He will not be slack towards you! If it’s in His will, it will be done on earth as it is spoken in heaven!

Pray: Father, grant us the patient endurance we need, and in the meantime spur us on to live lives pleasing to you!

# 182 Flee Sexual Immorality

The Book of Genesis

Day 182

Ge 20:17 So Abraham prayed to God; and God healed Abimelech, his wife, and his female servants. Then they bore children;  18 for the LORD had closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech because of Sarah, Abraham's wife.

Let’s go back to verse 7 in order to catch the seriousness of this plague. God is speaking to Abimelech and says, “Now therefore, restore the man's wife; for he is a prophet, and he will pray for you and you shall live. But if you do not restore her, know that you shall surely die, you and all who are yours."

Whoa! This was some plague! Infertility, barrenness, and in the end death! In addition, whatever this sickness was, it kept Abimelech from committing the physical act of adultery with Sarah (v6)

The only way this plague would be lifted would be through the intercessory prayer of Abraham which would be forthcoming after Abimelech restored Sarah to her proper sexual relationship with her husband Abraham.

Now, the main thing here is how God sovereignly acted to assure the parenthood of the promised Seed of Abraham and Sarah was kept safe.

But, we should also remember that intercession did not occur until this “great sin” (v9)  of adultery was forsaken by Abimelech.  Then, and only then did the healing take place.

Adultery is in the class of sexual immorality, and have you noticed any deadly diseases or plagues that have broken out in the world due to illicit sexual activity? (Ebola and Aids come to mind) Have you noticed any diseases that are associated with infertility, and even death? (Herpes, Gonorrhea, and Syphilis perhaps?) Have you noticed any rise in male impotency and the push for medicines that provide relief for this stigma? (Viagara ads ad nauseum?)

Based on this account of Abimelech and Abraham and Sarah, dare we say that if we want protection and healing from these diseases, we need to turn from sexual immorality to the sexually pure ways of God, and then ask our intercessor (Jesus) to pray for our healing?

I’m not going to pretend that I can tell God how to judge sexual immorality, that’s His business. But I can repeat what He says in His Word about that sin. He says in 1Co 6:18, “ Flee sexual immorality.” That should be all that’s needed to be said on the matter.

Pray: Father, forgive us for our sins of sexual immorality. Heal us! Give us the strength of Joseph, who literally fled from Potiphar’s wife, so he would not commit this sin against You.

#181 Brother and Husband

The Book of Genesis

Day 181

Ge 20:14 Then Abimelech took sheep, oxen, and male and female servants, and gave them to Abraham; and he restored Sarah his wife to him.  15 And Abimelech said, "See, my land is before you; dwell where it pleases you."  16 Then to Sarah he said, "Behold, I have given your brother a thousand pieces of silver; indeed this vindicates you before all who are with you and before everybody." Thus she was rebuked.

We are so far removed from this culture and its practices that we have a very difficult time interpreting what is going on here.  There are many different takes on these passages from many different commentators.

These extravagant gifts could on one hand, simply be an expression of honoring a prophet of God, or an attempt at propitiation (appeasement) for the plague that had come upon Abimelech and his camp. 

Or it could be Abimelech’s way of saying, “No hard feelings Abraham for you bringing this curse upon us,”

Or it could all be connected with the restoration of Sarah’s dignity as the bride of Abraham.

Or it could be a mix of all of the above.

The King James version of verse 16 says, “And unto Sarah he said, Behold, I have given thy brother a thousand pieces of silver: behold, he is to thee a covering of the eyes, unto all that are with thee, and with all other: thus she was reproved.

The use of the word “covering” ought to turn our thoughts to marriage and the husband’s responsibility toward his wife.  An ancient Hebraic wedding custom included a robe or shawl that a groom placed around the shoulders of his bride, signifying that she has come under his covenant covering of protection, and spiritual, physical, emotional, and material care.

Abimelech seems to be saying, “May this gift of 1000 pieces of silver serve as a wedding gift, and a reminder to you (Sarah) and all others, that while you may consider Abraham to be your brother, he is first and foremost your husband!  Stop pawning him off as your brother!” And thus Sarah was reproved (righted)

I like the brother/husband analogy the best, because in my mind it points to Jesus,  and that’s who we should be looking for on all the pages of the Bible.

Jesus is in fact our brother, but He is first and foremost our groom, our husband. The church (believers) are referred to as the “bride of Christ”. By faith, we put on the garment of Christ in baptism, and we, like Sarah, are covered and vindicated. Ga 3:27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

Let us then just take this simple lesson away from this account of Abraham, Abimelech, and Sarah. 

Don’t just pawn Jesus off as your brother,,,,He is your Lord!  He is to rule over you and I just as Adam was to rule over Eve, and as Abraham ruled over Sarah. Unlike Adam and Abraham’s imperfect rule, the rule of our Groom Jesus  always has protection in mind, and that’s the way the rule of Jesus plays out in our own lives. What a friend we have in Jesus…..but do not forget, He is first and foremost your Lord!

Pray: Father, these customs are so strange to us, but the love of Jesus should not be strange or foreign to us. Help us to think of Him as so much more than our brother, let us live our lives with an eye toward submission to Him and confident in His protective covering.

# 180 Be Truthful

The Book of Genesis

Day 180

Ge 20:10 Then Abimelech said to Abraham, "What did you have in view, that you have done this thing?" 11 And Abraham said, "Because I thought, surely the fear of God is not in this place; and they will kill me on account of my wife. 12 "But indeed she is truly my sister. She is the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother; and she became my wife. 13 "And it came to pass, when God caused me to wander from my father's house, that I said to her, 'This is your kindness that you should do for me: in every place, wherever we go, say of me, "He is my brother."'

Abimelech wants an explanation! What was Abraham thinking when he turned Sarah over to Abimelech’s harem?  What did he have in view? What was on his radar screen? 

Abraham tells how God caused him to pick up stakes and how he had checked the radar even before he left. He saw a blip on that screen  that caused him some very real concern, and so he came up with a contingency plan to deal with it.  In his eyes, the plan was good because it included a half-truth, but let me ask you something. If a statement is half true, what is the other half?

Half truths conveniently leave out all the facts and are often used to justify disobedience to God. The use of “half-truths is a common tool of the devil as he seeks to lead us away from God. All three of the temptations he used against Jesus were half truths., but Jesus thwarted all attempts with the full truth of the Word of God. He said, “it is written” in all three cases!

May we too, look to Scripture for truth. As Jesus prayed in Joh 17:17 "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.It is the Scriptures that remind us of the importance of being a people of truth. Here are some examples:

Mt 5:37 "But let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No.' For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.

Ex 20:16 "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

 Pr 12:19 The truthful lip shall be established forever, But a lying tongue is but for a moment.

 Zec 8:16 These are the things you shall do: Speak each man the truth to his neighbor; Give judgment in your gates for truth, justice, and peace;

 Eph 4:25 Therefore, putting away lying, "Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor," for we are members of one another.

Get the hint? There are so many more verses in Scripture that call us to be truthful people! And the Abimelech’s of this world need to see it!

Pray: Father, help me to steer clear from “spinning” the truth. Help me to be a trustworthy man of integrity for I know this is pleasing in Your sight.

# 179 God's View of Marriage

The Book of Genesis

Day 179

Ge 20:9 And Abimelech called Abraham and said to him, "What have you done to us? How have I offended you, that you have brought on me and on my kingdom a great sin? You have done deeds to me that ought not to be done."

A plaque from God has apparently fallen on the camp of Abimelech. (verse 17 and 18) It was a judgment from God that He used to prevent Abimelech from committing a “great sin.” (The word in the original language here can be taken to mean punishment.)  In other words, Abimelech is saying, “What have I ever done to you that you should cause such punishment to come to me and my kingdom? You have done something here that ought not to be done!”

What was it that Abraham had done that invited this great punishment from God? In turning Sarah over to Abimelech and his harem, Abraham was opening the door for Abimelech to commit the sin of adultery.  In addition to being mentioned as one of the sins that prevent someone from inheriting the kingdom of God, (see 1Co 6:9-11 and  Gal 5:19-21) Heb 13:4 says, “Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.” This is serious stuff! Abimelech knew it, and one has to wonder why we can’t seem to grasp it in the church today.  The high divorce rate speaks mounds about our view of marriage. Let’s face it, our view of marriage, has become more shaped by the world than the Word of God.

This is not the way it should be! Jesus tells us in Mr 10:6-12, “"But from the beginning of the creation, God 'made them male and female.'  7 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, 8 'and the two shall become one flesh; so then they are no longer two, but one flesh. 9 "Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate." 10 In the house His disciples also asked Him again about the same matter.  11 So He said to them, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her.  12 "And if a woman divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery."

In letting loose of our spouses through divorce,  we commit this sin of Abraham’s and set up someone else (like Abimelech) for the sin of adultery! 

Yes, we have made a mess of this “institution that God loves” (Mal 2:11) but there is hope! We can appeal to a prophet like Abimelech did, and ask him to intercede on our behalf! Our Prophet now is Jesus. (“ who ever lives to intercede on our behalf.”)   Heb 7:25 says, “Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.”

Bring all your sins to Jesus! There is nothing He will not forgive! He paid for them all on the cross! And as He so beautifully stated to the woman caught in the act of adultery in  Joh 8:11, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more."  Draw a line in the sand, and from this day forth seek to live in accordance with what God’s Word says about marriage.

Pray: Lord, thank You for interceding for us! Without Your forgiveness, who could stand? Give us the resolve to steer clear of this “sin of Abraham’s.”  Help us to see marriage as you see it…..a picture of Your faithfulness and commitment to us through faith in Jesus!

# 178 Take Heed

The Book of Genesis

Day 178

Ge 20:7 "Now therefore, restore the man's wife; for he is a prophet, and he will pray for you and you shall live. But if you do not restore her, know that you shall surely die, you and all who are yours."

 8 So Abimelech rose early in the morning, called all his servants, and told all these things in their hearing; and the men were very much afraid.

One of the mistakes we make when reading these accounts in the Old Testament, is a failure to apply these lessons to ourselves.Speaking of events in the Old Testament, 1Co 10:11 reminds us, “Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.  12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.”

Take heed!

Pay attention to the fact that Abimelech’s servants were very much afraid! They took this warning from God concerning Abimelech and “all who were his,” very seriously. They were “very much afraid,” and rightly so! God  had done something in their midst (likely a plague of some sorts) that created great fear, and we’ll get to that later in verses 17 and 18.

But for right now, let us learn from the sin of Abimelech. He had taken another man’s wife and that is the sin of adultery! Unrepentant adulterers will not inherit the kingdom of God!  But there is another type of adultery that we need to see in this example…..and that is “spiritual adultery,” Spiritual adulterers will not inherit the kingdom of God either!

Jas 4:4 says, “ Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.”

Spiritual adultery, idolatry, friendship with the world, whatever you want to call it, is eternally deadly!

Our only hope in the matter of adultery is repentance. Unless you and I repent of it and return to faith in God through Jesus Christ, we, and all others like us, will surely die! That should frighten us to the very core! God wasn’t kidding with Abimelech and his servants and He’s not kidding with you or I.

Our only hope is to turn to the Chief Prophet, Jesus Christ, and ask for His mercy and intervention on our behalf. It is through His intercession alone that we shall live!

Pray: Lord open our eyes to what our love of the world and its ways really is….spiritual adultery. Lord Jesus come into our lives and deliver us from this deadly sin!

# 177 The First Mention of the Office of Prophet In Scripture

The Book of Genesis

Day 178

Ge 20:7 "Now therefore, restore the man's wife; for he is a prophet, and he will pray for you and you shall live. But if you do not restore her, know that you shall surely die, you and all who are yours."

Abimelech and his camp are in big trouble with God. He unwittingly had taken Sarah into his harem and if he would’ve been allowed to have sexual relations with her, adultery would’ve been committed, and great doubt would have been thrown on who Isaac’s father was.  This could not be, for God had said that Abraham would be the father. (Again, you gotta be wondering, “What was Abraham thinking?”) He wasn’t naïve, he knew why Abimelech had taken Sarah in.  This whole episode proves once again that  fear causes us to do crazy, illogical things!Thankfully, God intervenes in the situation and He spells out a plan for Abimelech. Return Sarah to Abraham , and I will inspire Abraham to pray for you, for he is a prophet of mine.

By the way, this is the first time we see the word “prophet” in Scripture.  A prophet is simply an “inspired” man, by that we mean that he is imbued by the Spirit of God  to do something under divine influence. 

As a prophet, the words of Abraham would be inspired (divinely influenced) by God, and of course, that would add perfect clout to one’s prayers!  Every perfect prayer,  is “inspired” by the Holy Spirit. Even at those times when we are at a loss for words, the Holy Spirit comes through for us: Ro 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

When God control’s the lips, you have a true prophet, no matter the spoken language! An example would be that first Pentecost in Jerusalem, when God poured out the Holy Spirit on His church! Ac 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. And what did they speak of? “The wonderful works of God!” (Acts 2:11)

A prophet is one who speaks Holy Spirit utterances! And there is nothing more Holy Spirit uttered than the Word of God! Speaking of the Bible in 2 Pet 1:21 we read, “for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

God has gifted His church with prophets, who have been blessed with the same kind of anointing that Jeremiah had! Jer 1:9 Then the LORD put forth His hand and touched my mouth, and the LORD said to me: "Behold, I have put My words in your mouth. These prophets, boldly and confidently proclaim “Thus saith the Lord,”  When you hear a true prophet speak, you can be confident you have heard from the Lord. (Of course it is necessary to always check the prophet’s words with what God has said in His word!

There was a tremendous respect for prophets in the Old Testament, people often sought them out for intercessory prayer. Let me give you two quick examples:

Samuel was a prophet and in 1Sa 12:19 we read, “And all the people said to Samuel, "Pray for your servants to the LORD your God, that we may not die; for we have added to all our sins the evil of asking a king for ourselves."

And then there was Elisha. His reputation as a man who had a special connection to God travelled all the way to Syria and an unbelieving King named Namaan.

 2Ki 5:1 Now Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Syria, was a great and honorable man in the eyes of his master, because by him the LORD had given victory to Syria. He was also a mighty man of valor, but a leper.

 2 And the Syrians had gone out on raids, and had brought back captive a young girl from the land of Israel. She waited on Naaman's wife.

 3 Then she said to her mistress, "If only my master were with the prophet who is in Samaria! For he would heal him of his leprosy."

Treasure the gift of prophets in the church of Jesus Christ, for they are the mouthpieces of God who send forth His Word and it will not return to God without fulfilling it’s purpose!  Isa 55:11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

Pray: Father, thank You for the gift of anointed preaching and praying. In these Last Days we pray that You will raise up prophets who boldly and rightly proclaim, “Thus saith the Lord!”

# 176 God Is Able To Deliver Us From Evil

The Book of Genesis

Day 176

Ge 20:1 And Abraham journeyed from there to the South, and dwelt between Kadesh and Shur, and stayed in Gerar.

 2 Now Abraham said of Sarah his wife, "She is my sister." And Abimelech king of Gerar sent and took Sarah.

 3 But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, "Indeed you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is a man's wife."

 4 But Abimelech had not come near her; and he said, "Lord, will You slay a righteous nation also?

 5 "Did he not say to me, 'She is my sister'? And she, even she herself said, 'He is my brother.' In the integrity of my heart and innocence of my hands I have done this."

 6 And God said to him in a dream, "Yes, I know that you did this in the integrity of your heart. For I also withheld you from sinning against Me; therefore I did not let you touch her.

Sweet dreams Abimelech! Here’s what the Lord thinks about adultery! “You are a dead man!”  Those words certainly grabbed Abimelech’s attention and he immediately bows his heart to God and addresses Him as Lord!  He then goes on to make his case of innocence in this matter.  He meant no harm. He truly thought she was Abraham’s  sister! God agrees with him and then in a breathtaking  statement of the sovereignty  of God, He says, “I also withheld you from sinning against Me’ Therefore I did not let you touch her.”

Think about that! God has the power to keep people from sinning! There are times He can trump our free will! Don’t bother asking why He trumps and why He doesn’t trump….that’s His business. He will have mercy on whom He will have mercy! And by all means don’t be of the mindset that “If God doesn’t want me to do this He can stop me!” That would be incredibly stupid!

Rather use this example as a faith boosting reminder when you pray the Lord’s Prayer! You know, that part where we ask God to not lead us into temptation and to deliver us from evil? He is able!

Note also, that God calls this sin of adultery a sin against Him! When David was confronted with his sin of adultery with Bathsheba, He said, “I have sinned against the Lord!” Later in the 51^st Psalm David laments, “ Against You, You only have I sinned.”

The man who commits adultery sins against God. If unrepentant, “He is a dead man,” because adulterers will not inherit the kingdom of God! 1 Cor 6:9-11says, 1Co 6:9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites,

 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.

 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.

What to do then if you are an adulterer?   Repent!  Allow godly sorrow and fear to enter your heart , then turn to Jesus and receive God’s gift of forgiveness as David did!  “And Nathan said to David, the Lord also has put away your sin; You shall not die.”

Pray: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil,. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory, forever and ever, Amen.

# 175 He Is Our Shield

The Book of Genesis

Day 175

Ge 20:1 And Abraham journeyed from there to the South, and dwelt between Kadesh and Shur, and stayed in Gerar. 2 Now Abraham said of Sarah his wife, "She is my sister." And Abimelech king of Gerar sent and took Sarah. 3 But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, "Indeed you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is a man's wife."

Abraham picks up stakes and moves about 40 miles to the west near a Philistine city known as Gerar. Once again he finds himself in the presence of a king, a man of power like Pharaoh. (See Gen 12:10-20) And once again he tries to palm Sarah off as his sister. Once again we see the frailty of humanity in Abraham, and once again we see a societal conditioned response triggered by fear.

This mountain of a faithful man struggles in this area of trusting God for his safety in the midst of a powerful ruler. He struggled with Pharaoh and now he struggles with Abimelech! Why does he struggle so? Did he not learn from the incident with Pharaoh that God has his back?

I think the answer to that question goes back to the original call of God to Abraham to leave his comfortable surroundings and head to parts unknown.  He evidently anticipated this kind of a problem arising before he left  and he worked it out with Sarah that she would say she was his sister. In so doing, these rulers would not kill Abraham (as was their custom) in order to take his wife.  (See Gen 20:13)

Abraham had this idea in his head all along his journey. This was his plan B. He would follow God, but he needed some backup plans in case things got a little hairy. We often do the same thing! We follow God, but only after we have developed our own contingency plans to bail us out. Once they are in place, we feel we can move forward with confidence.  It’s not easy to let go of our little safety nets.

Don’t get me wrong, we don’t want to be foolhardy, but at some point in our journey of being a fully devoted follower of Jesus, we are going to have to trust God! Abraham was trusting in his puny little safety net (plan B) in his encounter with Abimelech, and God shows him how puny it is, as He appears to Abimelech in a dream: “Indeed, you are a dead man because of the woman you have taken, for she is a man’s wife!”  “You are a dead man?????” Ooooh! Now that’s a safety net!

Here’s the thing. Once we are certain that we have heard from God, and we step out in faith, we just need to trust in God that our needs will be met.  He is our shield! He was Abraham’s shield but evidently he had forgotten the episode with Pharaoh and the promise of God in Ge 15:1 After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward."

We need to be reminded often that God has our front and back and here’s a couple more verses to help us in that regard:

 Ps 28:7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, And with my song I will praise Him.

 Pr 30:5 Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.

May God give us all the courage, confidence, strength, and faith we need for whatever comes our way today!

# 174 Incest

The Book of Genesis

Day 174

Ge 19:31 Now the firstborn said to the younger, "Our father is old, and there is no man on the earth to come in to us as is the custom of all the earth.  32 "Come, let us make our father drink wine, and we will lie with him, that we may preserve the lineage of our father."  33 So they made their father drink wine that night. And the firstborn went in and lay with her father, and he did not know when she lay down or when she arose.  34 It happened on the next day that the firstborn said to the younger, "Indeed I lay with my father last night; let us make him drink wine tonight also, and you go in and lie with him, that we may preserve the lineage of our father."  35 Then they made their father drink wine that night also. And the younger arose and lay with him, and he did not know when she lay down or when she arose.  36 Thus both the daughters of Lot were with child by their father.  37 The firstborn bore a son and called his name Moab; he is the father of the Moabites to this day. 38 And the younger, she also bore a son and called his name Ben-Ammi; he is the father of the people of Ammon to this day.

We would be remiss to discuss this portion of Scripture without mentioning the horrific sin of incest. It’s one of those “hush hush” subjects we seek to sweep under the rug.  When committed and found out it is typically placed in the category of “No one else must know about this.”  But guess what? God knows about it, and He is very displeased about it, and He wants us to do something about it!

He addresses the issue in Lev 18, beginning at verse 6, “None of you shall approach anyone who is near of kin to him, to uncover his nakedness. (To uncover one’s nakedness is a euphemism for engaging in any kind of sexual activity, including improper touching.) This improper sexual activity is forbidden between parents and their children, brothers and sisters, grandparents and grandchildren, aunts and uncles with their nieces and nephews, and in-laws.

I have had opportunities to talk with victims of this sin, and the emotional damage done, the damage to self-esteem, the hurt, the bitterness, all the residual effects are overwhelming! How do you fix something so precious that has been damaged by a trusted relative? (or even someone who has become like trusted family, such as an athletic coach or clergyman or woman!)

Thankfully, God is able to fix it! All things are possible with God, but it certainly isn’t easy!  It starts with the victim speaking up about it. Again, this isn’t easy, but it is necessary or the abuse will likely continue!  God has instituted government to punish the perpetrators of this innocence robbing crime. He has set forth a method of dealing with these perpetrators in the church as well!

1Co 5:1 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles--that a man has his father's wife!

 2 And you are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he who has done this deed might be taken away from among you.

 3 For I indeed, as absent in body but present in spirit, have already judged (as though I were present) him who has so done this deed.

 4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered together, along with my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,

 5 deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

Church discipline was meted out against this unrepentant sinner in hopes that he would see the error of his ways and turn from this wickedness. 

And in the matter of offending little children, Jesus said in Mt 18:6-10, “ But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.  7 Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!  8 Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.  9 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.  10 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.

 This is not about chopping off or ripping out body parts, but it is about the seriousness of sins against children! To such perpetrators Jesus says, “Keep your hands and your eyes to yourself!” or stern judgment is coming your way!”

The worst thing we can do in dealing with this sin is to remain silent! Silence only allows the sickness of the sin to continue.  If you are a victim or know someone who is being victimized, seek help from a trusted source and as you walk through the process pray! Pray continually that God will help you. That He will give you the strength and courage needed, and that He will help you down the road of forgiveness that is a difficult but necessary step in the process of healing.

Pray: Father God, incest is a terrible breach of trust and we pray that You will step in and help all victims and perpetrators. Please stop this generational sin in its tracks, and let us return to treating sexual activity in accordance with Your will!

# 173 Peer Pressure

The Book of Genesis 

Day 174

Ge 19:31 Now the firstborn said to the younger, "Our father is old, and there is no man on the earth to come in to us as is the custom of all the earth.  32 "Come, let us make our father drink wine, and we will lie with him, that we may preserve the lineage of our father."  33 So they made their father drink wine that night. And the firstborn went in and lay with her father, and he did not know when she lay down or when she arose.  34 It happened on the next day that the firstborn said to the younger, "Indeed I lay with my father last night; let us make him drink wine tonight also, and you go in and lie with him, that we may preserve the lineage of our father."  35 Then they made their father drink wine that night also. And the younger arose and lay with him, and he did not know when she lay down or when she arose.  36 Thus both the daughters of Lot were with child by their father.  37 The firstborn bore a son and called his name Moab; he is the father of the Moabites to this day. 38 And the younger, she also bore a son and called his name Ben-Ammi; he is the father of the people of Ammon to this day.

Ever noticed how sinners seek to entice others into joining in their sin? It started in the beginning with Eve. She tasted of the fruit and then dragged Adam along with her!We have another example today as Lot’s oldest daughter entices the younger daughter to join her in committing incest. This is an age old problem that we have given a new name. We call it “peer pressure.” 

People, young and old, are pressured to smoke, drink, do drugs, have sex, view pornography, watch inappropriate television shows, and movies, cheat on their income taxes, have abortions, divorce their spouses, and the list of sins could go on and on! If there is a sin and someone has committed it, you can be sure they’ll be inviting someone else along for the fall.Somehow, we think that if others commit the same sin, that will make it all right. How many parents have heard the plea, “ Well, so and so’s parents say it’s okay!” Or the worn out, “”Everyone else is doing it!”  

Before you give in to that plea, remember that as children of God, we are a “called out” people! “Therefore, come out from among them and be separate says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.” (2 Cor 6:17)

Remember too, that if you as parents have not separated yourself from the sins of others, you don’t have much solid ground to stand on when you tell your kids no.

So the next time you are tempted to join the sinful fray of the world, remember, not only the harm it can cause you. But also the example you are setting for your children!

“Do not love the world or the things in the world, if anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him…..and the world is passing away, and the lust of it, but he who does the will of God abides forever.”  (1 Jn 2:15-17)

Seek the will of God in all things (as found in Scripture) and you will do well.

Pray: Father The pressure to join in the sins of the world is tremendous. We pray especially today for our young people who are assaulted with temptations that our generation never even thought of! Give them the resolve to say no and to seek Your will in all things.

The Holy Hassock

We say it every week in our Sunday worship service.  “He ascended into heaven; and is seated on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from where He shall come to judge the living and the dead!”

This is what we profess to believe as Christians in what is called The Apostles Creed.This portion of the Creed always takes me back to the 110^th Psalm, verse 1”The LORD said to my Lord, "Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool."

The” Lord saying to the Lord” is God the Father speaking to God the Son (Jesus) and telling Him to sit at His right hand (the position of authority) where Jesus is right now and will remain until God makes the enemies of Jesus His “footstool.”

In other words, Jesus will return when God’s enemies are stuffed into a hassock! Kind of a weird picture isn’t it? What is meant by “footstool?” I believe it is a metaphor for a place of rest and theonly true place of rest is Jesus.

So this Psalm speaks of conversion of unbelievers (enemies) to the footstool, the resting place of Jesus! When the last person(enemy) has been converted , the end will come. This coincides with what Jesus said in Mt 24:14 "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

This is comforting in one respect. God will not lose any! He knows those who are His. (2 Tim 2:19) but on the other hand it’s a little discomforting  because it tells of a time when people will flat out refuse the saving grace of God.  There comes a time when conversion to Christ will cease! A spiritual stupor (apostasy) will fall upon the world. 2Th 2:3 puts it this way:  Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first,”

This “falling away” should not restrain us from preaching the Gospel! 2Ti 4:2 reminds us to remain faithful in preaching the Gospel even though no one will receive it!  Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.  3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;  4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.  5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

This “spiritual stupor” of the end times is difficult for us who have received the saving grace to understand. How can God (who desires all to come to repentance (2 Pet 3:9) allow this to happen?

Short answer is God will have mercy on whom He will have mercy! (Ro 9:15)

This dulling of spiritual hearing is nothing new with God, He has done it before if for no other reason to show us that He is capable of doing it, and will do it on the largest scale ever near the end!  He does it when large scale resisting of the Holy Spirit is evident! For instance:

He hardened the heart of Pharaoh.

He dulled the hearts of the Israelites in the wilderness: De 29:4 "Yet the LORD has not given you a heart to perceive and eyes to see and ears to hear, to this very day.

 Iaaiah, Jeremiah, and Exekiel preached to deaf ears:

Isa 6:9 And He said, "Go, and tell this people: 'Keep on hearing, but do not understand; Keep on seeing, but do not perceive.'

 10 "Make the heart of this people dull, And their ears heavy, And shut their eyes; Lest they see with their eyes, And hear with their ears, And understand with their heart, And return and be healed."

Jer 5:21 'Hear this now, O foolish people, Without understanding, Who have eyes and see not, And who have ears and hear not:

 Eze 12:2 "Son of man, you dwell in the midst of a rebellious house, which has eyes to see but does not see, and ears to hear but does not hear; for they are a rebellious house.

Stephen spoke of this resistance to the converting work of the Holy Spirit in  Ac 7:51 "You stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you.

Paul spoke of this “spiritual stupor in Ro 11:8, “ Just as it is written: "God has given them a spirit of stupor, Eyes that they should not see And ears that they should not hear, To this very day."

 And in 2Co 4:3,4 we see the work of Satan in this apostasy as he seeks to oppose the gospel: “ But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing,  4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.

This “God-allowed” apostasy is brought on by people who give heed to Satan and his workers rather than giving heed to Jesus and His workers (the church)

1Ti 4:1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,

 2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron,

This final apostasy is on the way, and it ought to be frightening to you and I! But we in the church are not to lose heart. We are to be like Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, faithfully proclaiming the Word of God and trusting God for the results.

So we preach and live the gospel, confident that none will be lost, and assured that the end will not come until the final soul is converted and stuffed into the holy hassock!

# 172 Infatuation With Sex

The Book of Genesis

Day 172

Ge 19:31 Now the firstborn said to the younger, "Our father is old, and there is no man on the earth to come in to us as is the custom of all the earth.  32 "Come, let us make our father drink wine, and we will lie with him, that we may preserve the lineage of our father."  33 So they made their father drink wine that night. And the firstborn went in and lay with her father, and he did not know when she lay down or when she arose.  34 It happened on the next day that the firstborn said to the younger, "Indeed I lay with my father last night; let us make him drink wine tonight also, and you go in and lie with him, that we may preserve the lineage of our father."  35 Then they made their father drink wine that night also. And the younger arose and lay with him, and he did not know when she lay down or when she arose.  36 Thus both the daughters of Lot were with child by their father.  37 The firstborn bore a son and called his name Moab; he is the father of the Moabites to this day. 38 And the younger, she also bore a son and called his name Ben-Ammi; he is the father of the people of Ammon to this day.

There’s something really fishy here. Lot’s older daughter is the instigator, and she evidently has been tainted by the sexually immoral atmosphere of her environment.  ( I mean, when did  sex become a custom?) For whatever reason, she wanted to experience this thing that the Sodomites had made such a big deal about.  They had a “no holds barred” attitude toward sexual activity and their approach to sexual activity must’ve had a profound impact on her.  That may seem like a harsh judgment on my part, but she knew what she was doing,  even to the point of getting her father drunk enough to pull it off.  

Now, you might say here, “but she was married, surely she knew what sex was all about.”  Not so fast!  The RSV and the ESV Bibles rightly state that the daughters of Lot were betrothed or “engaged”  to be married. By Jewish tradition they were considered to be married, but were to remain virgins until their wedding night!  Ge 19:14 makes this clear as we read, “So Lot went out and said to his sons-in-law, who were to marry his daughters, "

Lot’s eldest daughter was determined to try some sex, and in her view, she was locked up in this cave forever with only one man in sight, she thought this was her only chance…and the unthinkable became a reality.

Sad to say, we have a multitude of Lot’s daughters and sons in our sex crazed culture of the day. They have grown up in a culture that glorifies no holds barred sex on billboards, movies, magazines, and even television shows that claim to be family friendly. You can’t watch a sporting event as a family without viewing commercials that use sex as a selling tool!   Add to that the availability of sexual exploration available on the internet and you begin to see why our young people have an unhealthy view of the God-given gift of sexuality that He has reserved for man and woman in marriage! Yes, we might even say that sex has become a custom rather than what God intended it to be!

Our kids have grown up with a view that sexual activity is a badge that proves one’s worth or value! Many wonder what’s wrong with them if they are 13 and still a virgin. How do we turn this thing around? I wish I had the answer.  We can’t live in caves…that won’t work. Maybe we can check our own exposure to the world’s infatuation with sex and try to keep it to a minimum.  Surely, we ought to take the time to speak to our children about God’s plan for sexual activity as opposed to the customs of the world, and begin talking about it in an age appropriate way early on. 

Let us seek to lead by example and pray that God will help us get the following truth through to our kids: Heb 13:4 Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.

Pray: Open our eyes to the beauty of waiting to “know” our spouses on our wedding night! It’s what You want in marriage, and You only want what is best for Your children!

# 171 Sin Will Track You Down

Day 173

Ge 19:30 Then Lot went up out of Zoar and dwelt in the mountains, and his two daughters were with him; for he was afraid to dwell in Zoar. And he and his two daughters dwelt in a cave.  31 Now the firstborn said to the younger, "Our father is old, and there is no man on the earth to come in to us as is the custom of all the earth.  32 "Come, let us make our father drink wine, and we will lie with him, that we may preserve the lineage of our father."

This is the same Lot who begged the Lord to spare Zoar because he was afraid to move to the mountains! (Gen 19:17-20) Now he can’t wait to get out of it!  What was it in Zoar that made Lot so fearful that he was willing to flee to the mountains and live in a cave?  The Bible doesn’t say, however, we know that Zoar was originally destined to be destroyed along with Sodom and Gomorrah.  Need we say more? I mean one thing we should all know about sin by now, if left unchecked it rages and only gets worse!

So here’s a single father with two widowed daughters trying to start a new life in Zoar. A city overflowing with sin.  So he takes his daughters to the mountains to live in a cave….surely they will be free from sin there right?  Wrong! Sin is ever present in this world and it will track you down no matter where you live!

The Sin of the Daughters

What were his daughters thinking? How could they even consider such a plan of action? They were thinking that all of their days would be spent in a cave with their father, and they would have no opportunity to find a husband and bear children. Bearing children and keeping the family lineage alive was a conditioned response in their culture, and of course, no holds barred,  sexual immorality was also a “conditioned response.”  Sex was what you did. 

Their actions were triggered by fear, and fear gave in to the perverted expediency of the world!

The daughters had observed the world around them in Sodom well. They had seen the persuasive power of wine in action before, and they decided to use it as an ally in their wicked plot. .Even though the Levitical laws against incest had not yet been handed down, these girls somehow knew it was wrong and that’s why they knew they needed wine to carry out their evil deed.

Here’s the thing about wine and alcohol. One of the first areas of the brain that it goes after is that part of the brain that controls our ability to say no.  Personally, I learned this the hard way after two OWI convictions, but I’m glad I finally learned it! I pray that if you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol abuse that this truth will strike home!

Once you understand how alcohol works on your brain, you will be well on your way of staying clear of it, because overindulgence will leave you as unchecked as the city of Zoar and your sin and misery will only increase!

Pray: Father, sin is ever present in the world. Give us the power to resist, and help us to turn away from all things that would sap our spiritual resolve to resist.

# 170 Peace in the Midst of Unanswered Questions

The Book of Genesis

Day 170

Ge 19:27 And Abraham went early in the morning to the place where he had stood before the LORD.  28 Then he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the plain; and he saw, and behold, the smoke of the land which went up like the smoke of a furnace.  29 And it came to pass, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when He overthrew the cities in which Lot had dwelt.

We don’t know why Abraham went to the exact same place where he had stood before the Lord and interceded for Lot and the cities. Perhaps his view of Sodom was best from there. Perhaps this would become a favorite place of prayer for him. (By the way, I hope you have such a place!)

But can you imagine the emotions that Abraham was experiencing as he looked toward Sodom and saw the smoke. “Really God?  Really?  You couldn’t find ten righteous people in the whole city?”  “Did Lot make it out?”

The Bible never mentions Abraham going down to the city and picking through the ruins. It is silent on whether Abraham ever saw Lot again. We know Lot was spared, but did Abraham know? All we are told is that God remembered Abraham and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow.  Since there is no more recorded discussion with God about the matter, all we can assume is that Abraham left this special place of prayer in peace.  A oneness of spirit, a quietness and rest in the will of God! This is a peace that can only come from the Lord.

Remember Job? Remember his great losses and remember what he said, , “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” Job was at peace with the sovereign will of God!  And God said, “ In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong.”

Sometimes our unanswered questions can rob us of peace and keep us from what is important.  After Jesus had risen from the dead, He told Peter of the martyr’s death that awaited him, and then commanded Peter to follow Him! Peter asked about John and his death, and Jesus replied, “If I will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me.”

There are many unanswered questions in our lives. Things God has not chosen to reveal to us. If we dwell on them unnecessarily, we sacrifice our peace and we allow kingdom work to go undone, as we follow after our questions, rather than following after Jesus. His advice to us for things out of our control is to trust God, and get on with following Him.

Pray: Father, help me to be content with simply knowing that Your ways are not our ways. Your ways are always guided by perfect love. A love that we won’t fully understand this side of heaven.

# 169 Salt Is Not For Shakers.....it's "Forsakers!

The Book of Genesis

Day 169

Ge 19:26 But his wife looked back behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.

As we mentioned last time, this was one of the most important events in the Old Testament and Jesus used it to warn us all of what we need to consider in light of the Final Judgment. He said in Lu 17:32 "Remember Lot's wife.

 Here's the thing about salt. It is a forsaker. It gives itself up for the service of others. It sacrifices itself to purify your water. It sacrifices itself to turn ice into slush. It sacrifices itself to preserve meat. Salt is a forsaker and Jesus said, “You ARE the salt of the earth! You ARE a forsaker. It identifies you as a follower of Christ.

One of the ways we remember our beloved public figures is through statues and monuments. Lot’s wife is such a monument that the Lord wants us to remember. But why was this statue made of salt?

Because salt is not just for shakers….it’s for sakers!

Let us learn from Lot's wife in the matter of forsaking. She looked back! She was not willing to forsake the lifestyle of Sodom and Gomorrah and God turned her into a pillar of salt. How fitting a judgment. It's like He was saying, if you don't want to be salt, (a forsaker) I will make you salt (a forsaker) Lot's wife is a monument set before the eyes of all who refuse to forsake all and follow Jesus. He must be the most important thing in your life.

Speaking of salt, Jesus said in Mt 5:13, “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.”

You and I are to be the “forsakers” of this earth, but if we refuse to “give ourselves up,”  we will be “thrown out” with all the others who refused to forsake all and follow Jesus.

I can’t over-emphasize this truth! It’s not enough to acknowledge Jesus as God, (Even the demons believe and tremble, James 2:19) we must yield ourselves to Him, believing and trusting His Word (Him) to rule our lives.  At some point we must say, “not my will…..but Thine be done!”

Will we do this perfectly? Of course not! But that’s where confession of sin comes in and a willingness to pick ourselves up and try, try, try, again!

Pray: Lord, thank You for giving me the desire to forsake and follow You. But it is a battle! Help me to wage the war of “forsaking” and forgive me when I fail. You “forsook” all for me, help me to “forsake” all for You!