bible – Page 12 – Waite for it…

Deja vu all over again

Posted on July 12, 2024August 22, 2024 by William Douthwaite

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.

Through the Bible Devotions

“So how did you two meet?”

Posted on July 10, 2024August 22, 2024 by William Douthwaite

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.

Devotions, Grace, mercy, Through the Bible Devotions

You want me to do what?

Posted on July 9, 2024August 22, 2024 by William Douthwaite

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?

Devotions, laughter, Through the Bible Devotions

There is a time to laugh

Posted on July 4, 2024August 22, 2024 by William Douthwaite

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.

Devotions, Through the Bible Devotions

He sees you

Posted on July 2, 2024August 22, 2024 by William Douthwaite

A “through the bible” devotion from Genesis 16.

Then [Hagar] called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, “You are a God who sees me.” (Genesis 16:13)

I love how characters in the Old Testament narrative come up with names for God that reflect their experience with him. Hagar, Sarai’s servant, comes up with a great one: El-roi. “The God who sees me.”

No one knows Hagar. She is Sarai’s Egyptian slave woman, commanded to be the surrogate mother of Abram’s child. Sarai’s not having any children. How else will Abram become the father of a great nation?

Once Hagar conceives, Sarai becomes jealous and abusive. Hagar has to run for her life. God meets her in the desert and sends her back home. She matters. She is not simply an asterisk in the history books. Her descendants will be a great nation too.

No one remembers the person who finished second. Few remember Super Bowl or World Series losers. Winners get their name on the Stanley Cup. Losers are forgotten.

Except when it comes to God, who sees you and I and Hagar. And Jacob, the younger twin. And Gideon, the youngest member of the least important family of his tribe. And David, the youngest of eight brothers. Or Paul, the foremost of sinners.

Whether you like it or not, God notices you. For better or worse, you’re on his radar. He’s in the stands, cheering on your team, even if you’re on the bench. He’s your biggest fan.

Devotions, Through the Bible Devotions

A sure thing

Posted on July 1, 2024August 22, 2024 by William Douthwaite

A “through the bible” devotion from Genesis 15.

When I bought a house, I signed a mountain of documents assuring the mortgage lender that I was who I said I was, knew what I was buying, and understood how much I would be paying each month for the next thirty years. It was intimidating to say the least.

But that’s nothing compared to what Abram has to endure as God confirms the covenant.

So God says to Abram, “You will have as many descendants as there are stars in the sky” Abram believes. So far so good.

The God says, “I brought you here so you can possess this land, too.”

But this time Abram asks, “Lord God, how may I know that I will possess it?” (Genesis 15:5-8)

If you only knew what you were asking, Abram! God instructs him to round up a cow, a goat, a ram, a dove, and a pigeon. Abram has to slice the big animals in two, and then he has to chase away circling vultures from the carcasses. When Abram falls asleep, he has a nightmare about God himself, appearing in the darkness as a smoking oven and a flaming torch, moves between the butchered animals to say in ancient covenant language, “I guarantee it.” Anyone else might have added, “I swear to God.” But I guess that doesn’t work when God is the one who is speaking.

Everything comes with a guarantee, right? At least for the first thirty days after a purchase. When I bought a cheap toaster, the Walmart cashier asked if I wanted the extended warrantee. It cost nearly as much as the toaster. No thanks.

So it’s only natural to ask God for some kind of assurance. That is, until you get to know him. When you look back in scripture and in your own life and see what God has done, you learn that faithfulness is one of his character traits. You can trust him. Plus, it’s not as messy.

Devotions, Through the Bible Devotions

Be blessed!

Posted on June 30, 2024August 22, 2024 by William Douthwaite

A “through the bible” devotion from Genesis 14.

I met George and Marie when they brought their son Isaac to vacation bible school every summer. I would run into them every once in a while, and after a quick conversation, George would always say, “Be blessed!”

After Abram makes quick work of the kings who had attacked his nephew Lot, Melchizedek shows up with a blessing,

“Blessed be Abram by God Most High,
Possessor of heaven and earth;
blessed be God Most High,
who has delivered your enemies into your hand!” (Genesis 14:19,20 NASB)

We don’t know much about Melchizedek, other than that he was a king and a priest. He shows up out of nowhere, and then he disappears. His name will come up again to help us understand Jesus (Hebrews chapters 5 and 7).

It’s great to have people show up in our lives to remind us that we have been blessed and to credit God for those blessings. It’s easy to forget. It’s easy to allow what someone else has or does obscure the view of the good things in our own lives. What a gift when someone lends us their eyes to see what God has done and is doing in our lives!

Maybe I can bring that gift, too. When I celebrate the good things going on in the lives of others, it’s a great day for God, too. After all, every good and perfect gift comes from him.

Be blessed!

Devotions, Through the Bible Devotions

Faith is hard

Posted on June 29, 2024August 22, 2024 by William Douthwaite

A “through the bible” devotion from Genesis 15.

“Proof is easy. Faith is hard damn work.” – Johnny Prentiss

You’ve probably never heard of Johnny Prentiss. He was a character played by Penn Teller in the TV series “Code Black.” Johnny was a magician in the emergency room with a mass in his chest. As he waited for test results, he amazed doctors, nurses, and other patients with a deck of cards.

Over and over again, someone would ask him, “How did you do that?” Johnny answered, “I can’t imagine a world without magic.” For him, magic inspired hope and faith, things that he desperately needed to live.

God told Abram that a son from his own body would be his heir, the first of descendants as numerous as stars in the night sky. Amazingly, Abram believed God (Genesis 15:6).

If Abram had been standing there with his infant son in his arms, it would have been a lot easier to believe that he would be the father of a great nation. But on that night, all he had was God’s word. All he had was a promise.

Aren’t you pleasantly surprised when someone keeps a promise? I think we want to believe, but we’ve been let down too many times. But someone didn’t show up. Or they outright lied. A product didn’t work as advertised. The check wasn’t in the mail.

If someone says, “All you have to do is believe,” they know nothing of faith. Faith is indeed hard work. It means setting aside what you know to be true to embrace what God says is true. Faith is humbling. Faith rarely make sense. Faith is often terrifying. Faith is tough.

But faith is where a relationship with God begins. “God counted it to [Abram] as righteousness” (Genesis 15:6).

You can watch Season 2 Episode 9 of Code Black on Amazon Prime Video. Thanks for reading this “through the bible” devotion.

Devotions, Through the Bible Devotions

What are you babbling about?

Posted on June 25, 2024August 22, 2024 by William Douthwaite

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.

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