Holy Devotion
Bible Devotional
Genesis 18:4-8 - Serving God

Scripture:

Genesis 18:4-8
4 "Please let a little water be brought and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree;
5 and I will bring a piece of bread, that you may refresh yourselves; after that you may go on, since you have visited your servant." And they said, "So do, as you have said."
6 So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah, and said, " Quickly, prepare three measures of fine flour, knead it and make bread cakes."
7 Abraham also ran to the herd, and took a tender and choice calf and gave it to the servant, and he hurried to prepare it.
8 He took curds and milk and the calf which he had prepared, and placed it before them; and he was standing by them under the tree as they ate.
NASU


Thoughts:

I find this account very moving.  Abraham is welcoming his three visitors:  God presenting Himself in a human form and two angels (Genesis 18:1-3).  The idea of welcoming God into your home and waiting upon Him is so beautiful. 

Were a person of high esteem to visit our homes today, perhaps a politician, a ministry or business leader, we would find ourselves bending over backwards to make sure that they were comfortable and that all the preparations were made for them (as Abraham does here).  It is strange then, that we so often find ourselves approaching God as though He served us, rather than we serving Him.  We generally think of what God will do for us when He is near (though He is never anything else), but Abraham thought of what he could do for God.  We think of such things as how He might bring peace to our hearts or heal us, how He might give us wisdom for our circumstances or miraculously provide, but Abraham thought of those things that would be a blessing to Him.

Truly, He does tell us to bring our wants and needs to Him, so it is not wrong to do so.  But at the same time, how blessed it is to simply serve the living God.  To approach Him with a heart open to whatever He wills, with a desire to just be a blessing to Him.  May God grow each of us in the grace of serving.


Prayer:

Lord Jesus, I want to serve You with my life.  Speak to me Holy Spirit, directing me to the places and activities You desire for me to do.  May my very life be a hymn of praise to You.

Amen

 
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