by Pastor Peter Bean

Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.

Sarah said: God has made me laugh. Everyone who hears about this will laugh with me (Genesis 21:6).

Read Genesis 21:1–7; 22:1–18

No wonder Sarah was laughing. Ninety years old! A newborn son! She had laughed at God when he said she would have a son. But God kept to his promise. And, at a ripe old age, she had borne new life. A blessing from God. A peal of laughter in her life. So, now, she could laugh with God.

And everyone who heard about it could laugh with her. Perhaps, at first, in disbelief. But then, with joy and marvelling at this miracle. Recognising that God keeps his promises and can do all things!

Have you ever laughed at God? Have you ever perhaps said – or at least thought: ‘Come on, God, you’ve got to be joking. This ain’t gonna happen.’ And yet it does, leaving humans shaking their heads in disbelief. Stories abound in the Bible and throughout history of those who questioned – even challenged – God and then had their lives turned around through the miraculous workings of the Holy Spirit.

Perhaps you have a story like that in your life. If so, why not share it and get people laughing with you? Maybe you are in a situation in your life now where the last thing you want to do is laugh. Those times can be hard – distressing and even soul-destroying. If so, find someone you trust to confide in and share with. After all, a burden shared is often a burden lightened.

Or, if you have to, tell God what you think. Laugh at God! God won’t strike you down. But he will keep the promise made to all of us: to be with you. He will be present in your distress, hear your complaints, and accept your disbelief and your laughter (that’s what the psalms teach us to do). And, in time, God will move you to a place where you can laugh with him and invite others to laugh with you.

My favourite verse in the Bible is Ephesians 3:19: God can do far more than you can imagine! It worked for Sarah. It works for me. It can work for you. Allow God’s imagination to run riot in your life. And allow God to make you laugh.

God of laughter, God who knows distress, be with us in our glad times and our sad times. Please help us to trust in you and to look forward to times of shared laughter. 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.

So the Lord was merciful to Lot and his family (Genesis 19:16b).

Read Genesis 19:1–17,24–29

What to make of these verses? Not the most wonderful reading in the Bible. It started off well with hospitality shown by Lot. But it quickly degenerated into all sorts of terrible things: sexual immorality, betrayal of family, disbelief, tardiness, warnings ignored, ingratitude. And, as we read on, there is more.

What do we do with all of this? Of course, it’s easy to jump to conclusions and become judgemental of actions and inactions, groups and individuals. And don’t we do that? Sorry, I’ll let you answer that for yourself. For myself, yes, I do jump to conclusions. I do make judgements. I do look down on people. Lord, have mercy.

And the Lord does. Even when we think we have more time to prepare. Even when we joke about what God might do. Even when we are inhospitable. Even when we condemn!

I guess, here, in these verses, we have a good description of human nature. Thoughts and actions are described that can lead us away from God. Even when God is present – in our face, if you like – even when God is clear, and we can hear the voice of the Spirit guiding us. (Did you know that, in the Hebrew Scriptures, to hear is the same as to obey?)

But we also have a good description of God’s nature: to be merciful, to restore those who lack trust or think they can make it on their own. Can each of us examine our lives? Look for those times when you didn’t trust God’s promises and thought you could make it alone. Look for those times when God’s mercy re-appeared: in a word of forgiveness, in a restoration of relationships, in a comforting hug, in the quiet breath of the Spirit breathing new life into you.

And give thanks for the Lord’s mercy.

Lord God, Heavenly Dad, gracious Saviour, life-giving Spirit, thank you for your mercy, shown to me in so many ways. Thank you. 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.

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!