Tag: deja vu

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 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.