Author: Beth Duncan

Gen 19:16 When he hesitated, the men grasped his hands and the hands of his wife and two daughters and led them safely out of the city, for the LORD was merciful to them.
As I was reading and studying on today’s scripture, I was reminded of a book study I did on Bad Girls of the Bible, including Lot’s wife. The book is written by Liz Curtis Higgs. I have linked to the excerpt I read this morning here and encourage you to take a moment and read it. Trust me, it’s worth the time.
Gen 19:17 As soon as they had brought them out, one of them said, “Flee for your lives! Don’t look back, and don’t stop anywhere in the plain! Flee to the mountains or you will be swept away.”
I was reminded this morning I am Lot’s wife in so many ways. My propensity for planning leads me to say often, “This is not the way it’s supposed to be.” While God is tugging me by the hand, trying to lead me to His much better plan, I am looking over my shoulder, sputtering and muttering, “This is not what I planned. This is not what’s supposed to happen.” And, sadly, I usually have to stew a while before I can pry my fingers loose from my plan and turn towards His. Jesus, Help me!
Gen 19:26 But Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for the reminder of Lot’s wife. Thank You that Your way is so much better than my own, that Your plan for me surpasses anything I can fathom. Help me to loosen my death grip on my plans so that when You lead me in a better direction, I can go without looking back, without getting stuck in the past, without being turned to salt. Draw me closer to You. Amen.
Gen 19:29 So when God destroyed the cities of the plain, He remembered Abraham, and He brought Lot out of the catastrophe that overthrew the cities where Lot lived.
Have a blessed day.

Gen 19:1 The two angels arrived at Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gateway of the city….
Someday I will see Jesus face to face. I will get to talk with Him about all the things in the Bible and in life that I just don’t understand. Until that day, I will trust my gut, honed by years of church, bible study, conversation, and reflection, about what He is calling me to do in this life.
Gen 19:2 “My lords,” he said, “please turn aside to your servant’s house….”
I believe that God is love, that we are called to love God and love others. I believe that He sees all sin the same—there is no sliding scale of sins against Him. He sees anger and murder on the same level. I believe that He considers sin to be anything that separates us from Him and anything that keeps us from reaching out in love to His people. I believe that we are called to love and not to judge. Only He who is without sin is qualified to judge. I believe that He is able to look at even the one the world sees as “the worse sinner” and see His deeply loved child and that if that person would return to Him, He would welcome him back with open arms. I believe that God is love, that we are called to love God and love others.
Gen 19:3 But he insisted so strongly that they did go with him and entered his house….”
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for the myriad thoughts swirling in my head. Thank You for the deep rooted belief that You are calling me to love You and love Your people, without judging, without casting stones. Help me as I strive to draw closer to You, to love Your people, and to shine Your light. Amen.
Gen 19:10 But the men inside reached out and pulled Lot back into the house and shut the door.
Have a blessed day.

Gen 18:16 When the men got up to leave, they looked down toward Sodom, and Abraham walked along with them to see them on their way.
God’s still working on me. He loves me deeply simply because I am HIS. I can do NOTHING to make Him love me or make Him stop. And while that is such beautiful and amazing knowledge, it is also incredibly disconcerting—because I am both self-reliant and a people pleaser. Just tell me where the bar for “being successful” is set, and I will figure out how to reach it. 
Gen 18:17 Then the LORD said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do?”
Commentary on this section of Genesis says: “God wanted to do something in Abraham’s life through what He would reveal to Him.” I sincerely believe this is where I am. God’s showing me that I still am struggling to be content with just BEING in His presence, that I don’t need to strive to be enough. I am enough because I am His. It’s frustrating and embarrassing that I’m still struggling to live out what my heart knows to be true, but I know God can and will use this for my good and His glory. Help me, Jesus.
Gen 18:18 “Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and all nations on earth will be blessed through him.”
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for the profoundly simple yet incredibly difficult concept of Your overwhelming love for us. Thank You for showing me where I’m still struggling. Thank You for wanting to do something in my life through what You are revealing. I’m listening, Lord. I’m trying. Lead me. Guide me. Draw me closer. Amen.
Gen 18:19 “For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just….”
Have a blessed day. 

Gen 18:2 …When [Abraham] saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground.
God uses these daily reflections to work on my heart, and what He is currently helping me to understand is that I am still caught up in the struggle between doing and being. And while my head knows my value to God has NOTHING to do with what I DO but only who I AM—His deeply loved child, the reality is that I struggle to just BE in His presence, knowing that He loves me because I am His and not because of anything I do.
Gen 18:4 “Let a little water be brought, and then you may all wash your feet and rest under this tree.”
I feel like I am hard-wired to be kind and encouraging, to do for God and others, but I have a hard time just being, just resting in Him. I’ve also noticed that the older I get, the more quickly I hit compassion fatigue—feeling utterly depleted and useless, needing desperately to recharge because I have given so much.  I feel like these two issues are intricately related, perhaps because I am trying to work through my own power and not His? Jesus, Help me.
Gen 18:5 “Let me get you something to eat, so you can be refreshed and then go on your way—now that you have come to your servant.”
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for helping me see the areas where I still need work, understanding, healing. I know I am Your deeply loved child and that my value is in my being and not my doing. I know that You gave me this encouraging, compassionate heart to comfort Your people. But I also realize there is still a disconnect, which is keeping me from Your peace. Jesus, Help me. Amen.
Gen 18:8 …While they ate, he stood near them under a tree.
Have a blessed day. 

Gen 16:16 Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar bore him Ishmael.
As I continue reading through Genesis, I find myself struggling to remain mindful of the fact that this study is not just a fascinating look at history. Like Hagar, I want a personal encounter with the God who sees me, and I have to keep reminding myself to plumb the depths of each chapter looking for ways that I can personally connect so that I can keep both my head and heart engaged in this study.
Gen 17:1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty; walk before me faithfully and be blameless.”
What strikes me at the beginning of chapter 17 is the fact that it’s been 13 years since we have (and presumably Abram has) heard anything from God. Commentary speculated that in the interim “Abram was becoming a great man of faith…[through] years of almost mundane trusting in God.” I would love to know what’s in Abram’s head because, personally, I would have wondered if in my disobedience and mis-obedience I had finally worked my way out of God’s favor. Even though we are told repeatedly that God is faithful, I fear I would doubt. We are given no indication that Abram suffered such fears.
Gen 17:5 No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father to many nations.”
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for the ability to make Your word personal. You say repeatedly that You will never leave us nor forsake us, yet, as You can see, I still struggle at times to believe it. Help me to know, in my head and my heart, that Your love is freely given to all, even me. Help me to be open to receiving that love, living and breathing and being in that love, simply because I am Your child. Continue to draw me closer. Help me to shine Your light. Amen.
Gen 17:6 “I will make you very fruitful; I will make nations of you and kings will come from you.”
Have a blessed day. 

Gen 16:7 The Angel of the LORD found Hagar near a spring in the dessert….
This morning finds me still sitting by the spring with Hagar, ironic since all I’ve ever felt for Hagar was mild contempt at her attitude toward Sarai. I was struck by a comment about the Pharisees in one of my devotionals this morning: “They possessed much information about God, but they had no personal relationship with Him.” I think that’s why I linger here. This time with Hagar and the Angel of the LORD at the well is incredibly personal.
Gen 16:8 “…where have you come from, and where are you going?”
This is not just impersonal knowledge of God, it is God showing up to sit with an Egyptian slave in her confusion and pain. Haughty, rude Hagar wasn’t making a show. Her running wasn’t staged to get a response out of Abram or Sarai. She was being mistreated, so she ran. And God saw her. He showed up in the midst of her confusion and pain. He gave her comfort and guidance. He became real and personal to Hagar. He became “the God who sees me.”
Gen 16:11 …”for the LORD has heard of your misery.”
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for the fact that You see us in our fear, our misery, our pain. Thank You for getting personal, for showing up in the middle of our mess and giving us comfort and guidance. I love that I am learning more about You during this study, Lord. My head-knowledge is expanding exponentially. But what is most precious to me is the reminder of my personal relationship with You, the reminder that in the middle of my pain and confusion, You are with me. Draw me closer, Lord. Amen.
Gen 16:13 …”You are the God who sees me….I have seen the One who sees me.”
Have a blessed day.

Gen 16:4 …When [Hagar] knew she was pregnant, she began to despise her mistress.
When I typically think of Hagar, this is the image that I have—haughty and cruel, taunting her infertile mistress with her easy pregnancy. Today I see a different side or perhaps a more complete picture. She didn’t ask to be in that situation. She was mistreated, overwhelmed, and afraid, so she ran away. 
Gen 16:6 …Then Sarai mistreated Hagar; so she fled from her.
I understand overwhelmed and afraid. I totally get feeling unprepared for what is being placed before me. Hagar didn’t express these feelings, but I have quite recently asked: Are you sure, God, that I’m the right person for this job? I’m doing my absolute best and still failing miserably. I’m sure this is not what You intended. Help me!
Gen 16:8 …where have you come from, and where are you going?
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for this reminder that You are the God who sees. Thank You for putting me in the best position to use my skills for Your glory. I feel utterly unprepared for the task at hand, yet I know You see me, You are with me, and if I will trust You, You will continue to guide me. Grant me Your peace, Lord, as I continue to strive for You. Draw me closer. Amen.
Gen 16:13 …”You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.”
Have a blessed day.

Gen 16:1 Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children. But she had an Egyptian slave named Hagar….
My heart hurts for Sarai in this passage, for the pain of infertility, for the agony of waiting, for the confusion of promises that don’t seem to be coming to fruition. The LORD promised Abram children, so many that they would outnumber the stars. And yet, Sarai remained childless.
Gen 16:2a …so she said to Abram, “The LORD has kept me from having children. Go, sleep with my slave; perhaps I can build a family through her.”…
Did she think God’s plan didn’t include her, so she was seeking another solution? Did she think she was helping His plan? Did she think at all or was this strictly an emotional reaction to what felt like a desperate situation? I will readily admit that regardless of motivation, God and God’s will seem to be utterly lacking in this plan. I will also admit that I am less than faithful when I’m emotionally wrought and in turmoil about God’s plan and His promises.
Gen 16:2b …Abram agreed to what Sarai said….
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for the compassion that I feel for those who struggle. I’ve been in Sarai’s shoes. I’ve felt the pain, agony, and confusion of promises delayed, and I’ve reacted just as faithlessly. I’ve taken matters into my own hands and left You and Your will for me completely out of the picture. Help me, Lord, to be faithful, even when I have to wait for Your timing. Waiting is so incredibly hard, but I know You have Your reasons. Help me, Lord, to trust Your promises, Your way, and Your timing on all things. Draw me closer. Amen.
Gen 16:4 He slept with Hagar, and she conceived.
Have a blessed day.

Gen 15:1 … “I am your shield, your very great reward.”
Again today I am wrestling with my perception of Father Abraham and the reality that when God said to him, “I am your shield, your very great reward,” his response was, “But God, I want kids so that I can pass on all that I have.” I would have expected from this paragon of faith, “Thank You, Lord.” Or “I’m not worthy, Lord.” Or SOMETHING that speaks of thankfulness. His reply seems most ungrateful. “Yeah, God, that’s great. But what I really want is offspring.”
Gen 15:3 And Abram said, “You have given me no children….”
I’ve always thought of Abram in terms of his righteousness. I’ve never felt I had too much in common with him. I worry and fear and doubt so very much. This section of Genesis shows me we have much in common and not in a positive way, but just like Abram increases his faith, I can, too, by trusting God’s promises, even when I am afraid.
Gen 15:8 But Abram replies, “O Sovereign LORD, how can I be sure that I will actually possess it?”
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for this honest look at Abram and his faith. Thank You that all I have comes from You, that I can rest in the protection of Your presence and that I have You always. Even when life feels like it is falling apart, You are holding me securely. You never promised that this life would be easy or carefree, but you promised to be my shield and my very great reward. Thank You. Draw me closer. Amen.
Gen 15:18 On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram….
Have a blessed day.