Author: William Douthwaite

Posted in Devotions, Through the Bible Devotions

Deja vu all over again

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Emmalee Couturier on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Genesis 26.

Well, it’s a classic “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree” episode in the life of Isaac (Genesis 26:6-11). Isaac lies and tells the residents of Gerar that Rebekah is his sister so they won’t kill him. Abraham did the exact same thing in chapters 12 and 20. In fact, Abraham did this very same thing when he was living in Gerar before Isaac was born. Does anyone sense a pattern here?

One day we’ll all pause and realize we sound or act just like our parents. Is that such a bad thing? It depends. Unfortunately, things like addiction or mental illness can be handed down from generation to generation. But so can a good work ethic, honesty, and an active faith life. Our parents are our primary teachers during the most impressionable years of our lives. For better or worse, we are going to be a lot like them.

I am thankful that my wife and I grew up in families where the Christianity was part of the fabric of our lives. We raised our family in the same kind of environment, and watch as our grandchildren grow up in the faith, too.

I’m glad we could pass along our cooking and baking skills to our children and grandchildren. We are beginning to enjoy their culinary efforts. Passing along the gift of music has been a joy, too. I’ll bet a lot of the grandchildren’s silliness can be traced back to me. Caring hearts? That comes from my wife, who has always been generous with her gifts of compassion and mercy.

Adopted by grace into God’s family, don’t be surprised if you’re a lot like him. I doubt we’d be merciful, forgiving, generous, hopeful, and joy-filled on our own. We learn all that from our heavenly father.

Posted in children, Devotions, Through the Bible Devotions

Let’s make a deal

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Artur Kornakov on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Genesis 25.

When Rebekah gives birth to twins boys, she and Isaac give them names to fit the situation. The oldest has a lot of red hair, so they name him Esau, which means “hairy.” The younger twin is born holding onto his older brother’s heel, so of course they name him Jacob, which either means “follower” or “deceiver,” and sounds a lot like the word for “heel.”

The boys obviously weren’t identical twins. Esau liked to hunt and be out in the field. Jacob could most often be found around their tents, a homebody, I guess.

One day, when Esau comes home exhausted, he asks for some of the red lentil stew that Jacob is cooking. Jacob seizes the opportunity and says, “I’ll make you a deal. I’ll trade you a bowl of stew for your birthright.” I’m not sure if they could legally do that, but Esau couldn’t care less about his status as the primary heir. He’s hungry. He takes an oath and gets the stew. The punchline: “Esau despised his birthright.“ (Genesis 25:34)

“Despised” is a strong word. Esau and Jacob were doing what brothers do. As kids they no doubt argued, wrestled, and tried to get each other in trouble. It’s quite entertaining to watch my grandchildren try to manipulate and take advantage of each other. We don’t teach our kids how to do that. It just comes naturally.

Paul would write about those who forget who they are, who set their minds on earthly things, “whose god is their appetite” (Philippians 3:18-20). We’re guilty of that when we focus on this life and lose sight of eternity. In a sense we despise our inheritance in heaven. And you know what? It just comes naturally.

So God keeps reminding us that we are his children. “See how great a love the Father has given us, that we would be called children of God; and in fact we are!” (1 John 3:1)

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

“So how did you two meet?”

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Jonathan Cooper on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Genesis 24.

When I’m getting to know new neighbors or folks I meet at church, I’ll often ask, “So how did you two meet?” More and more the answer is, “Actually, we met online.” Not surprising, since we live a lot of our lives in a virtual, digital world.

Imagine asking Isaac, “How did you meet your wife?” He would answer, “Well, my dad’s servant brought Rebekah home from my Uncle Laban’s home.” It was a very different world. No dating. No courtship. No engagement. Isaac and Rebekah met on their wedding day. (Genesis 24:62-67)

God is the primary matchmaker in Genesis 24. Abraham assigns his servant the task of finding the right wife for his son. Talk about pressure! The servant prays for help in finding the right woman to bring home for Isaac, and God answers in a big way.

I like the idea that God has a hand in bringing couples together. He does so in some very creative ways, too. That’s why it’s always fun to ask, “How did you two meet?”

I met my wife when I was studying for pastoral ministry at the seminary. Her older brother was a classmate of mine, and we met when she came to visit him. It was pretty much the last place I expected to meet my spouse. Forty years, three children, and nine grandchildren later, I’m grateful God brought us together.

Posted in Devotions, Grace, mercy, Through the Bible Devotions

You want me to do what?

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Angel Balashev on Unsplash

A “through the bible devotion from Genesis 22.

God says to Abraham, “Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you”(Genesis 22:2).

That is a big ask. It seems so unlike God. Why would he ask Abraham to do such a thing? And why would Abraham even consider doing it?

There is only one answer, and it’s the one Abraham vocalizes. “God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering” (v8).

It’s too much to ask. The cost is too high. The sacrifice is unthinkable. God is the only one with the resources to redeem a life. He’s the only one who can redeem my life.

We have the advantage of seeing how the whole story plays out. God will provide the ultimate sacrifice, his son, Jesus. He is the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world.

Of course there is a lesson in all of this. Unless we walk the path of obedience, like Abraham did, we won’t get to experience what God provides.

  • Moses, you’re going to have to throw down that staff if you want to see it turn into a serpent.
  • Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego can’t bow down to an idol if they want to encounter the Son of God in a fiery furnace.
  • The priests had to take that first step into the Jordan river to see God stop it’s flow so the nation could cross into the promised land.
  • A widow didn’t experience God’s provision until she baked that last loaf of bread for Elijah.

Letting my light shine makes the world a brighter place. Asking opens my eyes to the ways God provides. Confessing my sins opens a door for grace. So does forgiving someone. Praying for someone I don’t like changes my attitude towards them. Imitating the Good Samaritan and helping someone unleashes mercy in a cruel and heartless world.

What do you think God will provide today?

Posted in Devotions, Through the Bible Devotions

Suddenly you’re second fiddle

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Joel Wyncott on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Genesis 21.

A friend of mine played violin with a number of symphony orchestras. At family gatherings, they would ask her to play for them. The problem is, she played second violin. None of the music she knew was a recognizable melody, just harmony.

But you’ve got to have those parts. An orchestra is filled with strings, brass, and reeds who are playing second, third, and fourth parts. It’s all those harmonies that really bring the melody to life.

As soon as Isaac is born, Sarah wants Hagar and her son Ishmael out of the house. Now that he’s second fiddle, he’s no longer welcome. But God is faithful, and promises that Ishmael will also be the father of a great nation, too. (Genesis 21:18) After all, he is Abraham’s son.

Every high school and college graduates someone who is ranked last in their class. It might not be something to be proud of, but you still get a diploma. I’ll bet a number of them go on to be successful.

Paul considered himself as the least of the apostles, the foremost of sinners, and the least of all the saints. And yet grace was given to him, the chance to preach Christ!

So what if you’re not the GOAT. You’re still important to God.

Posted in Devotions, Grace, Through the Bible Devotions

Haven’t you learned anything?

Posted on by William Douthwaite

A “through the bible” devotion on Genesis 20.

Wait a minute. Didn’t we just read a story like this just a few chapters before (Genesis 12)? Abraham is lying again, telling Abimelech that Sarah is his sister, to save his skin (Genesis 20:2). Hasn’t he learned to trust God? Hasn’t he learned anything? Apparently not.

I should look at myself in the mirror and ask, “Haven’t you learned anything?” Apparently not. You and I make the same mistakes over and over again, don’t we? We don’t sin in new and creative ways. We’ve got our favorite failures. We fall into the same temptation over and over again.

Well meaning folks have told me, “You can’t keep doing the same wrong things over and over again.” My response is, “Then why do you?” Why don’t you keep our mouths shut? Why don’t you control your tempers? Why are are you accumulating so many material possessions? Why haven’t you witnessed to your neighbor? Why are you so worried about the future? (Feel free to add more to this list.)

When the pressure’s on, when you’re afraid, when you’re jealous of someone else, or envious of their life, a lot of conviction goes right out the window. So many things that promise to make us feel safe and loved and happy overshadow the truths we learned last Sunday morning.

“How many times should I forgive?” (Matthew 18:21,22). Jesus said the number is a lot higher than you think. Good thing. My sins are a lot more than I like to admit.

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Don’t look back

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Fran on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Genesis 19.

Do you remember the “Lot of Livin'” dance scene from Bye, Bye, Birdie? (Probably not, but it’s a fun, feel good watch anyway.) And it’s a good reminder to keep looking forward rather than back.

Genesis 19 is a rough chapter. Sodom turns out to be even more immoral and violent than anyone thought. No one believes that destruction is imminent. Even Lot hesitates, and the angels have to drag him, his wife, and his two daughters out of the city as fire and brimstone obliterate the city and surrounding area.

And then “Lot’s wife…looked back, and she became a pillar of salt” (Genesis 19:26).

Later on, as Jesus speaks about the judgment to come, he says, “Remember Lot’s wife” (Luke 17:32). So apparently, there’s a lesson to be learned here.

But what is it?

I think Paul touches on this when he writes, “But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:13,14).

Paul had a lot of past accomplishments. But those things didn’t define him. He had a lot of regrets, too. But they didn’t define him either. His focus is now on Christ, the future, the goal, the prize: eternal life!

If you only focus on what you used to be or do, the present is disappointing. You can get stuck in the ditch of poor choices and bad decisions from the past, too. The other option is to take Jesus up on his invitation to follow him and embrace the future.

Posted in Devotions, Through the Bible Devotions

What if there are a few good people there?

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Matthew Ball on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Genesis 18.

Luke Skywalker insists that there is still some good in his father, Darth Vader. Luke is determined to rescue him from the dark side. The joyful people of Whoville change the heart of the Grinch with their Christmas day song. Gru turns out to be a pretty good dad in Despicable Me. Ebenezer Scrooge can change his ways with the help of a few Christmas spirits in A Christmas Carol.

Knowing that judgment is coming, Abraham asks the Lord, “Will You indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? (Genesis 18:23) He puts in a plug for what is arguably the wickedest city that ever existed. What if there are some good people there? Why should they have to suffer? Maybe it’s not as bad there as everyone says.

A former corrections officer told me that most prisoners he talked to thought of themselves as good people. They were in prison because of a bad choice, they hung out with the wrong people, they were in the wrong place at the wrong time. Other than the crime they were convicted of, they believed themselves to be decent people.

I think it’s interesting how reluctant we are to accept God’s diagnosis of our condition. Paul collects a few Old Testament references when he write to Christians in Rome and reminds them that no one is righteous, no one seeks God, and no one is good. (Romans 3:10-12). I’ve never heard a eulogy expounding on how bad someone was. Rather, the deceased is characterized as nice, generous, unselfish, kind, and loving. I’ve sometimes wondered if I was at the right funeral, since the description didn’t sound at all like the person I knew!

I’ve got to hand it to Abraham. He’s always open and honest with God. He’s not afraid to challenge the Almighty’s motives and actions.

God humors Abraham. “If you can find some righteous people there, I’ll spare the city.” Fifty? Sure. How about 40? Okay. By the time Abraham works his way down to ten, he gets it. This isn’t a movie. There’s not going to be a happy ending.

Posted in Devotions, laughter, Through the Bible Devotions

There is a time to laugh

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Jenna Anderson on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Genesis 18 and 19.

I’m grateful for the gift of laughter. I love “peek-a-boo” toddler giggles. I can’t help but laugh at awful dad jokes. When my dog looks like she’s laughing at me, I can’t help but join in. Bathroom humor never fails to amuse. You’ll hear me laugh out loud as my Instagram feed brings me daily doses of Basil Fawlty, the Three Stooges, Tim Hawkins, and Jim Gaffigan, John Pinette, and a host of others.

The bible tells us that there is “a time to weep and a time to laugh” (Ecclesiastes 3:4). As I read through the bible, it’s pretty serious until Abraham laughs at God’s promise that he and Sarah will have a son (Genesis 17:17). Who knew God had a sense of humor? Abraham chuckles, “You’ve got to be joking, God. We’re going to be parents? That’s a good one! I’m closing in on one hundred and Sarah is ninety!”

Sarah thinks it’s funny, too. When the Lord and two angels show up at Abraham’s tent on their way to Sodom, Sarah overhears the promise, “Next year, you and Sarah will have a son” and laughs (Genesis 18:12). She tries to deny it, but everyone knows she laughed.

What should you do when God makes you laugh? I say just go with it. Don’t be afraid to laugh at a ridiculous promise or an absurd command or an awkward moment in scripture. Communicators know that humor relaxes the crowd and lowers defenses, preparing an audience to listen, learn, and take their message to heart.

God knows that too. That’s why I don’t think he minds if you laugh at something he says, like “love your enemy” or “always forgive” or “don’t be anxious.” You’ll snicker and say, “Right, like I’m going to do that.” But then it will be in your mind. You’ll think about it. You might even try it.