Posted in church, Devotions, Through the Bible Devotions

Think twice before you mess with Abram or his family

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Joel Moysuh on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Genesis 14.

A number of years ago, two men from my church took me out to their gun club to do some shooting. They gave me lots of instruction since I had never shot before. Each had several guns with them they let me try, including some 9mm, a .22 target pistol, and a .357 revolver. I did well, hitting targets and a few bull’s eyes at 15 yards.

As they described the guns and how to use them, I asked, “How many guns do you own?”

“Right now, I have eleven.”

Eleven? Why does someone living in a relatively safe suburban neighborhood need nearly a dozen guns at home? In addition to handguns, their collection included a shotgun and several rifles. Apparently they are like potato chips. You can’t have just one. You need one to carry. You need one in the bedside table. You have a favorite for target practice. You have one you used to use for hunting. And so on.

“When Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive, he led out his trained men, born in his house, numbering 318, and went in pursuit as far as Dan.” (Genesis 14:14)

I never would have guessed Abram had an army. Servants? Yes. Workers who watched the flocks? Of course. But trained men, men ready to fight, men able to rough up four formidable kings that had captured Lot, his food, and his family? Think twice before you mess with Abram or his family!

It’s good to remember that we don’t do this alone. Training ourselves for godliness, we fight the good fight of faith together as a church. And God still gives us the victory.

Posted in Devotions, Through the Bible Devotions

This town ain’t big enough for the both of us.

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Chris Hardy on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Genesis 13.

The cookie was huge, six inches across. Mom told her son, “Break it in half and share it with your brother.” He very carefully bent the cookie in two, to share exactly 50%. Then he held out the two pieces to let his brother choose one, but he held the slightly larger half closer to himself, in hopes that one would be his.

When there’s conflict between their herdsmen, Abram tells his nephew Lot, “This town ain’t big enough for the two of us!”

In an unexpected act of generosity, Abram lets Lot choose which part of the land he wants. Lot chooses the well-watered area of the Jordan which looks like “the garden of the Lord” (Genesis 13:10). Sounds like paradise. Abram gets the plain vanilla-sounding “land of Canaan.”

But appearance isn’t everything. Lot gets to live in the lovely city of Sodom, where the residents are exceedingly wicked. It’s kind of like having a beautiful home in a wonderful community where you hate all your neighbors. Abram on the other hand gets an expanse of land that will be his and his innumerable descendants forever.

Who do you think got the better deal?

It takes some maturity to realize there’s not just one pie. We’re not relegated to a smaller piece of life just because someone else got more. The “pie” or God’s blessing is much bigger than anything we can ask or imagine. Our slice may not look like someone else’s, but it’s custom made for us by the one who truly knows the desires of our hearts.

Thank you for reading this “through the bible” devotion.

Posted in Devotions, Through the Bible Devotions

Remember the promise

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Sean D on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Genesis 12.

I have put together a lot of furniture that comes in a box filled with wood (at least it looks like wood) and metal parts. I’m an instructions kind of guy, so for a long time, I always followed the step-by-step pictures and assembled desks, shelves, and cabinets.

After a while, though, they all start to look the same. The pictures and the pieces look familiar, so I think, “I know how this goes together.” I unpack everything and get to work.

I should know better. It’s a trap. Those two pieces aren’t the same. One is for the left side, the other goes on the right. I don’t want to attach A to B until I’ve screwed in part of C. Some of the screws are one inch long. Others are 7/8 or 1-1/8 inches long. Sigh. I’ve got to look at and follow the instructions.

There’s a subtle yet profound difference between the two trips Abram takes in Genesis 12.

“The Lord said to Abram, ‘Go.'” (Genesis 12:1)

“So Abram went.” (Genesis 12:4)

“Now there was a famine in the land, so Abram went down to Egypt” (Genesis 12:10).

The first journey is in response to God’s instructions and promises. The second is in response to the dire circumstances Abram finds himself in. The first journey is in response to good news. The second is a reaction to a bad situation.

Sometimes it seems so obvious what needs to be done. You don’t have enough food? Go where the food is. It’s not rocket science. Until Abram and Sarai get to Egypt. Sarai’s attractive, so she’ll have to lie to save Abram’s life. Abram profits nicely when Pharaoh takes Sarai into his harem. But now it’s a sticky situation. Abram and Sarai act independently of God and almost ruin everything.

I say almost because God graciously steps into help. God gets Sarai and Abram out of there alive and wealthier than ever.

A similar thing happened in Eden. Acting independently of God, the man and his wife did what looked right to them. With promises of salvation and a new outfit, God gets them out of there alive.

I’m glad God is like that. Let’s face it, you and I are more likely to respond to the circumstances around us than the promises of God. We launch into action in response to unexpected bills, approaching storms, and medical test results. We know exactly what to do, don’t we? How often do we leave God out of the equation?

Before I take action based on fear-based calculations, there are two important questions I need to can ask. First, “What does God promise me?” Second, “What does God want from me?”

Had Abram remembered God’s instructions and promises from Genesis 12:1-4, he may have responded differently to the famine described in verse 10.

It is so important to keep God’s promises in front of me!

Thank you to Larry Kirk, whose sermon reminded me to ask these two important questions. And thank you for reading this through the bible devotion.

Posted in Devotions, Through the Bible Devotions

What are you babbling about?

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by KoolShooters on pexels.com

A “through the bible” devotion from Genesis 11.

When a child is somewhere around eighteen months old, we teach him or her to stack blocks. From there, it’s not long before challenge them: how high can you go? As tall as you? Taller than you! But it’s not long before someone knocks the tower down and it’s time to start over. Those moments can be filled with laughter. But if a sibling knocks over the tower, you might have tears.

Bigger is better, right? A taller tower. A bigger home. A super-sized fast food meal. An extra scoop of ice cream. A larger worshiping congregation.

Not long after the flood, the growing world population decides, “”Let’s build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top will reach into heaven, and let’s make a name for ourselves” (Genesis 11:4). It’s got to be big. It’s got to be tall. It’s got to be noticeable. It going to make us famous!

Something in us wants to be noticed and admired. I guess you could say we want to be worshiped. Ouch. No one likes to admit that. But left to our own devices, our search for significance will edge God out of the picture. Making a name for yourself often leaves God’s name in the dust. (Isn’t there a commandment about that?)

Developers often buy up large tracts of land to build communities. Without regulation, they would pay little attention to the environment, surrounding neighborhoods, and traffic. Someone has to reign them in, right? Building codes, water management districts, and regulations keep them from getting carried away.

God long ago reigned in the Shinar developers before they got carried away. He confused their speech and scattered them abroad. A single, common language no longer empowers them.

These folks in chapter 11 eventually became famous. They are the reason we ask, “What are you babbling about?” (Genesis 11:9)

Thanks for reading this “through-the-bible” devotion.

Posted in Devotions, Grace, Through the Bible Devotions

I don’t think the flood solved the problem

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Chris Gallagher on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Genesis 6-9.

As I read about the flood in Genesis 6-9, it occurred to me that the flood didn’t solve the problem. Before the flood, God saw that “Every intent of the thoughts of their hearts were only evil continually” (Genesis 6:5). After? God said, “The intent of man’s heart is evil from his youth” (Genesis 8:21). Doesn’t sound like much changed at all.

That’s the way life is, isn’t it? Clothing gets dirty and has to be laundered over and over again. You have to dust the furniture, clean the bathroom, wash the dishes, and bathe the kids again and again. Everything keeps getting messy, including hearts.

So why wipe out life with a flood? Why save a few people who are just going to get into trouble again?

You have to admit that forty days and night of rain is a powerful message of God’s judgment. By the same token, an ark big enough to ride out the storm and preserve life is a dramatic illustration of God’s grace. The flood is a picture of law and gospel, justice and mercy, and power and love.

Along with David, we pray, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10). God promises, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you” (Ezekiel 36:26). What a difference it makes when Christ dwells in our hearts by faith (Eph. 3:17)!

I’m going to get in trouble again. So are you. Just don’t forget about that big boat of grace.

Posted in church, Devotions, Through the Bible Devotions, worship

Why does someone have to get hurt?

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Tom Jur on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Genesis 4.

As soon as people began to worship God, worship began to separate people. Cain and Able both brought an offering to God in Genesis 4. But their style of worship was different. Cain brought produce from the farm; Abel brought something from his flock. Because God had regard for Abel’s offering but not for Cain’s, there is post-worship anger, gloom, assault, and murder (Genesis 4:8).

Not much has changed. Worship styles vary from church to church. There is gloom, despair, and agony when some congregations grow and others shrink. Worshipers openly criticize, discredit, and attack each other. And along the way, someone usually gets hurt. That’s what happens when “people [begin] to call upon the name of the Lord” (Genesis 4:26).

Jesus himself got caught up in a worship system that had plenty of room for laws, sacrifices, rituals, and priests, but little room for God. He was the one who ended up getting hurt and ultimately killed.

But that changes everything. The Lamb who was slain is on the throne in Revelation where everyone is on the same page, giving him “blessing, honor, and glory” (Rev. 5:13).

I suppose there’s a lesson to be learned here. Rather than focusing on what someone else is doing for worship, put the blinders on and let the Lord be in the spotlight. Listen to his word, receive his gifts of grace, and respond as someone who has been abundantly loved by loving others.

Posted in Devotions, Through the Bible Devotions

Nice outfit

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Image by StockSnap from Pixabay

A “through the bible” devotion from Genesis 3.

When someone comments, “Hey, nice outfit,” I wonder if it’s a compliment or they’re making fun. Maybe they really like what I’m wearing. Or maybe the plaid shirt with the striped pants wasn’t the best choice.

After the deception, disobedience, shame, and consequences of Genesis 3, God does something really nice for Adam and his wife. He makes garments of skin for them.

So God isn’t angry with them. I don’t hear anger in his voice when he finds them hiding in the bushes. He simply speaks, explaining the consequences of their actions. And then he clothes them (Genesis 3:21).

It’s a good thing he does. I doubt their makeshift fig leaf coverings were very effective. Probably wouldn’t last long, either.

We try hard to cover up our failures and mistakes. We hide behind excuses, blame, and ignorance. None of those are effective. They don’t last long, either.

The good news is that God covers our sin, too. He comes in the flesh (skin) as a Savior who covers up our shame and guilt with his own righteousness. Or as Paul will later put it, “all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ” (Gal. 3:27 NASB).

So I guess you can say that those garments of skin in Genesis 3:21 are a hint of what’s to come: Jesus.

This is the kind of stuff I think makes the Old Testament so much fun to read. I love finding the footprints of Jesus in those pages long before he walked on the earth.

As I take another trip through the bible, I’m going to write devotionally along the way and share what I find. This year I’m reading the 2020 edition of the New American Standard Bible. If you’re blessed by any of this, feel free to share it with a friend!

Posted in creativity, Devotions, Through the Bible Devotions

“That looks pretty good”

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Andrey Novik on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Genesis 1.

Last Monday, I finished up Revelation and started with Genesis on Tuesday. The words that grabbed my attention in Genesis 1 were, “And God saw that it was good.” After speaking land, plants, heavenly bodies, birds, fish, and animals into existence, God saw that it was good. Once he added people to his creation he saw that it was very good.

I jotted that down in my journal, thinking about how satisfying it is to create something. It could be something I make with my hands, some words that I write, a picture I draw, food that I cook, or some music I play. It feels “good” to create something. I believe that’s part of being created in the image of God.

There is a downside to being a creator. I am very critical of my work. When I say, “That’s pretty good,” I’m fully aware that in some way I could have done better. I see every flaw in a paint job, hear every note that wasn’t quite in tune, and know that I should have taken something out of the oven a minute sooner. There is always room for improvement.

As a creator, you keep creating. You don’t have much of a blog if you don’t keep creating content. Music is gone in a moment. If you want more, you must play more. Recording artists are always working on their next project. Once you’ve preached a good sermon, you get to work on next Sunday’s message. After you’ve eaten all the cookies, it’s time to create a new batch, right? When the kids grow up (and they grow up so fast!), you’ve got no more babies – unless you make more.

On the one hand, God rested on the seventh day because he completed the work of creation. And yet he still creates. He graciously creates a clean heart in us (Psalm 51:10). If anyone is in Christ he is a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17). We are looking forward to the new heaven and earth that God will create (Is. 65:17).

I look forward to daily creating content for this blog. I enjoy creating a loaf of bread, memories with family, space in the house by decluttering, and a little music with my guitar, too. What a blessing it is to both know the Creator and be a “creator.”

Posted in dogs, Food

A delicate balance

Posted on by William Douthwaite

I did a double take as I passed by the kitchen and saw a pile of homemade Loaded Chocolate Peanut Butter cookies balanced on a teetering plastic container lid. What could possibly go wrong?

What could possibly go right? A lot of dump trucks have been rumbling by our house on the way to construction sites up the street. Wire baskets in the kitchen from time to time, nudged little by little towards the edge by traffic vibration. The house shook when a neighbor brought down a dead tree in the lot next door. I think our dogs are aware of this. I’m certain they were thinking, “Just one more truck and those are ours!”

That’s one scenario. Here’s another. I can imagine the smaller, older dog encouraging the taller pup, “Just go over there and take a sniff. Just a little one. No one will know.” Just in case you’ve forgotten, our taller pup is an eight-month old Great Dane, whose chin is as tall as that island countertop. Her sniff is more than enough to send that stack flying across the kitchen floor. The little dog is quicker. I figure he’ll get four while the big dog grabs two. And just like that, everyone goes back to their respective sofas happy.

Neither dog has figured out how to open the kid gate that keeps them out of the kitchen. I saw the cookie stack long before they did and stabilized the pile for the low, low price of just one cookie. So you can still order some from the Backseat Grace Bakery.