[Dailydevo] Daily Devotion Monday May 22, 2006

[Barry Ludwig]

Daily Devotions  Monday, May 22, 2006

After a three week break, E-devos are back! The Daily Devotions this week
are written by Pastor Ludwig. The theme for this week is "God's rascals."
God chooses everyday-sinners to carry forth his promise to the world. Could
that include you and me?

 

Genesis 20:1ff  -  Abraham

>From there Abraham journeyed toward the territory of the Negeb, and  dwelt
between Kadesh and Shur; and he sojourned in Gerar.  And Abraham said of
Sarah his wife, "She is my sister." And Abim'elech  king of Gerar sent and
took Sarah.  

 

Can you believe it? God chose this man to be the "Father of nations?"  Three
major religions will claim him as their spiritual father (Judaism,
Christianity and Islam) and here he is a liar and a fraud.  Is he afraid to
tell King Abimelech that Sarah is his wife?  Kings are known to kill off the
husbands of beautiful women (king David did).  Maybe he was not a coward but
an entrepreneur who saw an opportunity to gain influence and power?  In
spite of his character flaws, God chose Abraham to bear his promise of hope
to the world. It is not ultimately about Abraham's worthiness but God's
love. It is not about Abraham's inner courage but God's outward strength.
Read this story in Genesis 20 and see how God restores Abraham to his
calling, protects Sarah from abuse, and spares Abimelech from tragedy.

 

If God can continue to love Abraham, will he not love you this day as you
are?  If God can forgive Abraham in his lies will he not forgive you?  God
has chosen you to be his own and to carry the promise. Luther once wrote
that, "God does not love us because we are beautiful. We are beautiful
because God loves us!" It is amazing what God can do with rascals!

 

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