by Pastor Peter Bean
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I, the Lord, will give Abraham what I promised him (Genesis 18:19c).
Read Genesis 18:16–33
What had the Lord promised Abraham? If you read his whole story, which begins in Genesis 12, you’ll see that God had promised Abraham many things of various kinds! Land, fame, many children, a great nation, protection, blessings and now, in his old age (as we read yesterday), way past childbearing, a son.
Perhaps that is why Abraham thought he could bargain really hard with God! He had been blessed. He knew God was on his side.
Think over your life. How have you been blessed? Share those blessings with someone today. I have no doubt that many of you (if not all) can also recall difficult times when it seemed like God was not present. Don’t hide or deny them. But for today, think about the blessings you have received. Your list might include any of the following: food to eat, a house to live in, health, overseas trips, tours of the outback, friendships, abilities of various kinds, a church family or recognition.
Some of you may recall many blessings; others may struggle to recall too many. That’s okay. Whatever blessings you have received, also consider what you have done with them. None of us is perfect, so this is not meant to be a guilt trip. Rather, I hope it might be an encouragement: to see that what you have been blessed with has blessed others, too.
That is a common theme in Abraham’s story. Yes, I – God – will give what I have promised, but all of it is to bring blessings to other people. ‘The people on earth will be blessed through you’ (Genesis 12:3b); ‘… all nations on earth will be blessed through him’ (Genesis 18:18b).
You may not have been blessed as Abraham was. But you have been blessed – in big or small ways. Have you recalled those blessings yet? As you do, think about how you have – or can – use these blessings to bless other people. That way, you join the long line of Abraham’s descendants who bring blessings to all on earth.
Thank you, God of Abraham, that you are also the living and present God of my life. Thank you for the blessings you have given me. [Say them out loud.] May I use these blessings to bring blessings to those around me. Amen.
In early October, Peter enjoyed a family camp with his children and grandchildren at Lake Bonney, South Australia. Then, he returned to weeding, planting, riding, reading and relaxing!
by Pastor Peter Bean
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
Is anything too hard for the Lord? (Genesis 18:14a)
Read Genesis 18:1–16
A woman too old, far too old to have a baby! Peace in our time! A coming together of rich and poor, rather than the ongoing widening expanse! Justice, integrity, mercy! Perhaps we might laugh along with Sarah when considering these possibilities and promises.
Is anything too hard for the Lord? Honestly, right now, it seems so. Will justice and mercy prevail in the Middle East and other conflict zones? Will the homeless receive a roof over their heads anytime soon? Is there any chance of recognition of the humanity of refugees in our country? Are we better off just laughing and getting on with our lives?
BUT! And it is a big but! These promises of God are not the promises made by politicians before an election. God is not trying to win our favour or our vote! Instead, God is speaking into our situations – your sadness or despair and your longing for justice and new life.
God’s core promise? Do not be afraid! Three hundred and sixty-five times in the Bible! Yep, that’s right. One for each day. We can take our fears, anxieties and cries for help to our loving God each day and be reassured. Do not be afraid! I, God, can see you; I can hear you. As my son Jesus promised, I am with you always.
Amid unbelief, despair, crisis, injustice and unfairness, God is present, and Jesus is with us always. The Holy Spirit floats over the chaos of our lives, restoring order and bringing hope.
Laugh if you will, but it is better to laugh with the Presence of God rather than laugh at unbelievable promises.
God of laughter, replace our tears and fears with joy and happiness in your presence. Amen.
In early October, Peter enjoyed a family camp with his children and grandchildren at Lake Bonney, South Australia. Then, he returned to weeding, planting, riding, reading and relaxing!
by Pastor Peter Bean
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
God can do all things (Mark 10:27b).
Read Mark 10:17–31
God is exceedingly generous: he sends rain to the just and the unjust and cares for people how a mother hen cares for her chicks. God looks after nature, despite our (humans’) best attempt to destroy it. He forgives the most heinous sins if we repent. He dishes out grace like it is everyone’s birthday every day.
God is exceedingly generous, and he can do all things. Unlike humans! Despite our efforts, we can never match the generosity and creativity of the Creator God. It doesn’t matter how wealthy we are, how powerful or how many commandments we keep. God’s love is not dependent on those things. No, God loves because God is love.
Neither the rich young man (verse 22) nor Peter (verse 28) get this. I am not sure we do either. Do we not try to live better, be generous and serve others? All good things. But to what end? Particularly if they are simply to win God’s favour, to impress those we live with? Perhaps our motives are more altruistic.
But we constantly want to obey the commandments and demand that others do, too. The rich young man had done this perfectly – at least according to him.
You see, it’s not about us; it’s not about what we do; it’s not about how we live; it’s not about whether we are rich or poor (although if you’re rich, you do well to read these verses closely!). What saves is God’s generosity – not our wealth, power or even obedience.
Grace alone, accepting it, trusting in God’s promise of life and life abundantly (John 10:10). Who do you trust? What do you trust? Our lifestyle might reveal a surprising answer. It is better to return to the one who says this is something people cannot do, but God can. God can do all things (verse 27).
Thank you, generous God, for your creativity, for your generosity and for looking beyond our human weaknesses. Thank you for your gift of grace, life and love. May we live in response to these. Amen.
In early October, Peter enjoyed a family camp with his children and grandchildren at Lake Bonney, South Australia. Then, he returned to weeding, planting, riding, reading and relaxing!
by Faye Schmidt
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days (Psalm 90:14).
Read Psalm 90:12–17
When we have eaten a meal, we often refer to ourselves as being satisfied – we have eaten sufficient for our needs.
In our school days, we may have received a note on our report card that our performance was satisfactory. This indicates that we met the standard required.
If we have applied for a new job, the assessment may be that we have satisfied the key selection criteria.
In every case, to be satisfied implies that we have met a marker. We have not exceeded it. We have not achieved more than what was required, and the issues were satisfied.
In our psalm today, the prayer to God is that he ‘satisfy us’. We leave it to God to determine what that will require and how it will be done.
Paul had been pleading with God to remove the thorn from his side when, in 2 Corinthians 12:9, we read, ‘But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness”. Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses so that Christ’s power may rest on me’.
What is sufficient for us, what God satisfies us with, is his grace. That is all we need. His grace and mercy to which we respond with joy and gladness all our days.
Our circumstances may be such that in the morning, we do not feel like being glad and joyful in the circumstances in which we find ourselves. But the promise of God is that through his grace, there is hope, joy and gladness in knowing that he is beside us, walking with us and providing all that we need for our life of faith in him and his promises.
On my waking and sleeping, Lord, may I always be glad and give praise for your unfailing love and grace. Amen.
Faye Schmidt continues her diaconal calling through governance, having served on the Vic–Tas District Church Board, the General Church Board and currently as chair of her congregation, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Adelaide. Having lived and worked in many locations within Australia and overseas, Faye has a heart for the stranger and the newcomer and for being open to new ideas, learning from others and responding to needs.
by Faye Schmidt
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
But my covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you by this time next year (Genesis 17:21).
Read Genesis 17:15–27
God blesses all the other children of Abraham (he married a few times after the death of Sarah), and they establish nations and become rulers of tribes. Hagar, the slave woman who gave birth to Abraham’s son Ishmael, was banished, and Ishmael became the leader of the Arab nation. We later read in Genesis 25:8–10: ‘Then Abraham breathed his last and died … His sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah … with his wife Sarah.’
The promise by God to Abraham is that it will be his son Isaac, born of Sarah in her old age, who will be blessed, and salvation will come through his descendants. The line of the Messiah, Jesus, stems from Isaac.
None of these kingdoms is the kingdom that God plans through Isaac. The great nation, the kingdom, that God is establishing is not of this world: ‘The kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit’ (Romans 14:17).
There is only one way to salvation, through Christ, the fulfilment of the covenant with Abraham that there would be a kingdom where God’s people would be made right with him and find peace through the gift of faith through the Holy Spirit.
Even though Abraham was often disobedient, doubted God and went his own way, God did not amend, renege on, delay or cancel his covenant with him:
And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me’. In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you’.
We praise and thank you, Heavenly Father, for continuing to bless us through the covenant –promise – of your Son, Jesus Christ, who died for me. May the Holy Spirit keep me faithful to you and obedient to your will. Amen.
Faye Schmidt continues her diaconal calling through governance, having served on the Vic–Tas District Church Board, the General Church Board and currently as chair of her congregation, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Adelaide. Having lived and worked in many locations within Australia and overseas, Faye has a heart for the stranger and the newcomer and for being open to new ideas, learning from others and responding to needs.
by Faye Schmidt
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, ‘I am God Almighty; walk before me faithful and be blameless’. Abram fell facedown and God said to him, ‘As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations’ (Genesis 17:1,3).
Read Genesis 17:1–14
What an invitation! This is no distant God, but one who seeks fellowship with us. God wants to walk the journey of life with us. Enoch and Noah also ‘walked with God’ (Genesis 5:22,24; Genesis 6:9). Also, before his fall, Adam walked with God.
Sin broke this fellowship between God and us, but through Christ’s blood, we can ‘walk’ with him in fellowship again.
But not only are we to be in fellowship with God, but to be blameless. How can this be? There is no way I can be held blameless or perfect. Christ is our answer. In Ephesians 1:4, we read: ‘For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love, he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ.’ From the beginning, it was God’s plan that we would be redeemed and made perfect in his sight through Jesus’ death and resurrection.
Abram was 99 when this invitation to walk with God came to him. Most of us won’t reach that age, let alone possibly be physically able to walk! Whatever our age, the invitation from God is to us all, and we are never too old – to hear the invitation to be in fellowship with God through Christ and respond in faith.
And what did Abram do on receiving this invitation? He ‘fell facedown’, a sign of respect to God and hearing his word. We, too, show our respect to hearing God’s word when we bow our heads, kneel or stand to attention.
We are faced almost daily with instances where God’s name or his words are treated with disrespect, and the concept of reverence is alien to many. Swearing, abuse and mockery seem to be the order of the day.
God, through Christ, has made it possible for God to see us as blameless, perfect in his sight. Therefore, in thankfulness and praise, we witness to his grace and love through our reverence of his name and word.
Heavenly Father may your name be kept holy, and your will be done as I walk this day with you as my guide, leading me to my rest in eternity to your glory. Amen.
Faye Schmidt continues her diaconal calling through governance, having served on the Vic–Tas District Church Board, the General Church Board and currently as chair of her congregation, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Adelaide. Having lived and worked in many locations within Australia and overseas, Faye has a heart for the stranger and the newcomer and for being open to new ideas, learning from others and responding to needs.
by Faye Schmidt
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness (Genesis 15:6).
Read Genesis 15:1–11,17–21
The Lord makes a promise to Abram (Abraham), a covenant, that the number of Abram’s descendants will be greater than all the stars in heaven. And for the first time on hearing God speak to him, we read that Abram now affirmed his belief in the Lord and his promises and ‘God credited it to him as righteousness’. Abram’s belief – his faith – made him right with God, not any of the actions and tasks of obedience on his journey.
In Romans 4:2–4, we read:
If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about – but not before God. What does Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.’
Further, in Galatians 3:6,7, we see the consistency of this message and the impact of Abraham’s belief:
So also Abraham ‘believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness’. Understand then that those who have faith are children of Abraham.
Abraham had received visions from God, heard his voice and obeyed his commands. But it was none of these that made him right with God – that took his belief, his faith.
The same promise given to Abraham is also given to us through Jesus. In Mark 16:15,16, we read, ‘He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptised will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned”.’
This is the promise to us that, through our faith, we will be saved and justified before God. But is this something we can do on our own? No. It is the Holy Spirit who brings us to faith, and it is God’s grace that receives us and has mercy on us.
As we dwell in a community of fellow believers, we recognise and accept each other as persons God has made right with him through faith. We are family, the children of God through the gift of baptism and faith.
And what is our response to this wondrous gift? We respond with love and service to our neighbour, not for any reward or merit, but as a demonstration of our thankfulness and in praise.
Heavenly Father, thank you for adopting me as your child and bringing me into the family of fellow believers. May the Holy Spirit continue to renew and grow my faith so that I may be a witness and servant to you. Amen.
Faye Schmidt continues her diaconal calling through governance, having served on the Vic–Tas District Church Board, the General Church Board and currently as chair of her congregation, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Adelaide. Having lived and worked in many locations within Australia and overseas, Faye has a heart for the stranger and the newcomer and for being open to new ideas, learning from others and responding to needs.
by Faye Schmidt
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
The two men parted company: Abram lived in the land of Canaan, while Lot lived among the cities of the plain and pitched his tents near Sodom (Genesis 13:11b,12).
Read Genesis 13:1–18
The land in which the separation of Abram and Lot occurred was already occupied by other people. This was not unoccupied territory, with the Canaanites and Perizzites in residence with their own property, herds and flocks. Abram and Lot were not only competing with each other for space but also in the midst of the original occupiers.
The recording of the separation of Abram and his nephew Lot tells us much about their character. In verse 9 of our text, Abram gave Lot the authority to make the first choice of where he would settle with his herds, flocks and family. Abram did not need to do this. After all, he is the elder, the senior adult. Also, the Lord had spoken to him; he was the one who was following the word of the Lord.
How did Lot make use of such generosity?
First, we note that he based his decision on what he saw – the outward appearance of the scene. We read that ‘Lot chose for himself …’. This was not a decision made for the betterment of others or with protection and safety for his herds, flocks and people in mind. Lot saw ease, comfort and wellbeing in the lushness of the environment and the attraction of the cities. Lot went to the cities – not the plains to rest among his herds.
It was Abram who dwelt on the plains, away from the temptations attractiveness and excitement could offer.
In the choices we make in our lives, are we making them to please ourselves or to please God? Are we looking for an easy, comfortable way out, or do we focus on the promises of God through his Son that we are led not into temptation but delivered from evil to the glory of God? Like Abram gave the choice to Lot, God gives us the opportunity to choose – to follow him, listen to him, serve him and receive his blessings into eternity through his grace.
Dear Lord, help me to choose the way, truth and life that comes through the gift of faith in you and your saving grace. Amen.
Faye Schmidt continues her diaconal calling through governance, having served on the Vic–Tas District Church Board, the General Church Board and currently as chair of her congregation, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Adelaide. Having lived and worked in many locations within Australia and overseas, Faye has a heart for the stranger and the newcomer and for being open to new ideas, learning from others and responding to needs.
Let us pray that we do not trust in riches but follow Jesus.
Our Saviour Jesus, it is through you that we come to God.
Do not let us be drawn away from you by the glitter of wealth or the burdens of daily concerns but make us ready to save everything and boldly follow you.
For you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.