Tag: faith

Posted in Devotions, Through the Bible Devotions

“What are you doing here?”

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Sam Solomon on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Genesis 27 and 28.

“The Lord is certainly in this place, and I did not know it” (Genesis 28:16).

I think it’s interesting that Jacob thought that he was leaving God behind when he ran away from home. After disguising himself as his Esau get his father’s blessing, his older brother is ready to kill him. Mom says, “Why don’t you go away until he cools off. You can go visit your uncle Laban.” (Genesis 27:43,44)

When Jacob wakes up from a vivid dream about angels, a ladder, and God himself, he’s amazed. “How about that? I never expected to find God out here in the middle of nowhere.”

When someone mentions a “house of God” I immediately think of a church building. But sometimes I talk to him while I’m out walking the dog. Yes, the dog will sometimes glance up at me like I’m crazy. I have to assure her, “Just keep walking; I’m not talking to you.”

I’ll chat with God in the car, imagining him riding shotgun. With the way other people are driving, I’ll often ask for a couple of extra angels to get me safely to my destination.

I’ve heard folks comment that they feel close to God when they are out walking through the woods or sitting out on the beach watching the ocean, or looking up into the night sky.

Jacob, however, wonders, “What are you doing here?” Rather than feeling blessed, Jacob’s deception has made a mess of his life. In moments like that, you might think that God really doesn’t want anything to do with you. But that’s never the case. Rather, he’s the one we can be certain will never abandon us.

Posted in Devotions, Through the Bible Devotions

Dressing up for a blessing

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Jessica Rockowitz on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Genesis 27.

On any given day, one of my granddaughters will be dressed as Cinderella or another Disney princess. Another will have her legs wrapped in a mermaid tail. With an apron around his or her waist, another will be my waiter at a pretend food diner or ice cream shop.

Who doesn’t like to dress up?

I chuckle when the bible tells us of the time Jacob pretended to be his brother Esau. Esau was a hairy guy who smelled like a field. So Jacob puts on his older brother’s clothes and ties goat skins to his hands and neck so that his father, Isaac, whose eyes are failing, will think he is Esau. Amazingly, it works! Isaac blesses Jacob with the words Esau should have received. (Genesis 27:15-29)

How many of us pretend to be someone else to get approval or recognition? Social media makes this very easy to do. If you post pictures of the happy, fun, and adventurous moments of your life, everyone will like and envy your adventurous, fun, and happy life.

How’s that working out for you? Are you feeling blessed? Are you happier? Is your life an amazing adventure? Maybe for a moment or two. Then it’s back to reality. Back to real life.

Why don’t we want to be ourselves? That’s easy. Someone else is happier, having more fun, and is better liked. I want to be like them.

We’ve just learned that artificial sweeteners are actually much worse for us than sugar. The real thing, sugar, in moderation, is OK after all.

What if the real you is better than anything you could pretend to be? After all, no one can be you better than you.

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 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 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.