Category: Genesis

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.

Gen 14:12 They also carried off Abram’s nephew Lot and his possessions, since he was living in Sodom.
Like most people, I don’t enjoy not understanding. And Gen 14 has me a bit perplexed. The passage and commentary both feel much more like history lessons than life lessons. I’m still trying to figure out that epiphany of “THERE’S the nugget of truth God wants me to reflect on.” That’s not to say it’s not a fascinating passage. There’s much here that it is of interest, including our first look at Melchizedek. It’s just to say I don’t FEEL that strong sense of “here is where God’s leading me.”
Gen 14:18 Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was a priest of God Most High….
And perhaps that lack of epiphany is the point. Sometimes the only thing to do is the next right thing. (I can’t take credit for that phrase. I read it in a blog post once.) That seems to be what Abram is doing here. Abram, who had trouble in the beginning being wholly obedient to God, seems to have gotten himself together. He rescues his nephew. He receives a blessing from Melchizedek. He refuses the spoils offered by the king of Sodom so he can stay true to his oath to God. He is being faithful.
Gen 14:19 … “Blessed be Abram by God Most High….”
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for the opportunity to sit with uncertainty, which You know is so hard for me. Thank You for the blazing epiphanies and the subtle insights You have shared during this journey through Genesis. Help me to keep leaning into You as I study Your word. Draw me closer. Amen.
Gen 14:22 But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “With raised hand I have sworn an oath to the LORD, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth….”
Have a blessed day. 

Gen 13:14 The LORD said to Abram after Lot had parted from him, “Look around from where you are, to the north and south, to the east and west.”
God is steadfast and true, and I am so grateful. He is merciful and loving. Here is Abram, to whom God has made promises of provision and protection, Abram, who semi-obeyed God’s direction, seemingly picking and choosing what he would do God’s way and what he’d do to suit himself, Abram who ended up after his disobedience right back where he started, yet God renews His promises of provision and protection.
Gen 13:14 “All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever.”
How thankful I am that I’m not God. I would probably have railed against Abram in the face of his disobedience: “Who do you think you are? I am GOD! I told you what I wanted you to do and you disobeyed! I am finished with you! I’ll find someone who can listen and behave better. Too bad for you!” Thankfully, that’s not God’s way.
Gen 13:15 “I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone could count the dust, then your offspring could be counted.”
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for Your love and mercy. Thank You for being steadfast and true, even when we aren’t. Thank You for not defaulting to threats and judgement but for holding fast to Your promises. Help me to be more like You. Draw me closer. Amen.
Gen 13:16 “Go, walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I am giving it to you.”
Have a blessed day.

Gen 12:4 So Abram went, as the LORD had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Harran.
When I think of Abram, the verse that most immediately comes to mind is Gen 15:6 “Abram believed the LORD, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” The Abram of Gen 12 with his partial obedience takes a little getting used to. He didn’t go immediately to Canaan as instructed but stopped in Harran. He didn’t leave his family as instructed but took his nephew Lot with him. He didn’t stay in Canaan once he got there as instructed but went to Egypt because of the famine. 
Gen 12:10 Now there was famine in the land, and Abram went down to Egypt to live there for a while because the famine was severe.
I don’t think I realized how much I put fathers of faith on pedestals. Adam was instrumental in the fall, so I never tried to do that with him, but Noah and Abram, in my mind, were above us ordinary folk, so seeing their humanity in Genesis has taken some getting used to. But it has served to reinforce that none of us on earth are perfect and that God can use us all, can do tremendous things with us for His Kingdom—no matter our flaws—if we will allow Him.
Gen 12:13 “Say you are my sister, so that I will be treated well for your sake and my life will be spared because of you.”
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for this reminder that You can use us if we are willing to do Your will, even if we cannot or do not do it perfectly. Thank You that You can and do use human, fallible people in Your kingdom work. I often feel wholly inadequate for the tasks You have called me to, Lord. Thank You for the reminder that You can do great things with my efforts. Help me, always, to put aside my selfishness and fear and to step out in love and faith as I do Your will. Draw me closer. Amen.
Gen 12:18 So Pharaoh summoned Abram. “What have you done to me?” he said. “Why didn’t you tell me she was your wife?”
Have a blessed day.