Read Genesis 26:17-22

“The Lord Has Made Room For Us”

No one likes to be mistreated. Sometimes, however, it is better to pick up and move on rather than stand your ground and fight over trivial matters. Isaac’s servants dug a well in the valley over which a dispute arose; the herdsmen of Gerar claimed ownership of that well. Rather than go to war over it, Isaac’s servants dug another well. The same thing happened. A third time, the servants dug a well, but this time there was no dispute. God took care of His servant; Isaac named the well Rehoboth and said, “For now the Lord has made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land” (Genesis 26:22).

The first two disputes may have happened because that is not where God wanted Isaac. God, through providence, uses the situations of this life to put people where He can use them in His service. Queen Esther rose to a position of power, perhaps so she could exert some influence over her husband on behalf of her people. In the first century, when Onesimus left his master Philemon and came to Paul, the apostle pointed to the possibility of providence at work. “For perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose, that you might receive him forever, no longer as a slave but more than a slave—a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord” (Philemon 15-16).

We do not always see the providence of God while it is happening. Isaac may have really struggled with the quarrels over the wells. He may have felt discouraged or perhaps angry. But he had faith in the Lord to take care of him, just as He took care of him on Mount Moriah when he was bound and laid on the altar. Isaac believed in God’s provision and in God’s providence, and instead of fighting over material possessions, he picked up and moved on until he was where God wanted him to be.

It hurts when we are mistreated, but we must remember that the Lord can use even our pain to further His cause, though we may not understand it fully at the time. “And we know that all things work together for good to those who loved God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). If you love God and are a part of His family in Christ, He will take care of you; He will make room for you, and you can be fruitful.

Read Genesis 23

Respect

Have you ever enjoyed a meal at a restaurant with someone, and when the check comes, a friendly “argument” ensues over who will pay? You certainly do not want your friend to pay for your meal, rather insisting that you pay for his. It is a sign of respect to offer to pay for each other’s food. We see a similar situation play out in Genesis 23, as Abraham requests a burial place for his wife Sarah when she died.

The sons of Heth offer Abraham “the choicest of our burial places” (Genesis 23:6). Abraham requests the cave of Machpelah, which belongs to Ephron, and insists on paying the full price. Ephron and Abraham go back and forth a bit, Ephron insisting that Abraham take the land, and Abraham insisting on paying for it. In the end, Abraham gives Ephron 400 shekels of silver and buries Sarah “in the cave of the field of Machpelah, before Mamre (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan” (Genesis 23:19).

Why was Abraham, who described himself as “a foreigner and a visitor among you” (Genesis 23:4), treated with such respect? No doubt his character had been on display before these men for many years. They told him that he was “a mighty prince among us” (Genesis 23:6). He was treated with respect because he treated them with respect. He did not expect special treatment; he did not feel entitled to anything. He did not demand that they change their customs to accommodate him. Rather, he attempted to live at peace with them.

Is that not how we should treat our fellow man today? The apostle Paul wrote, “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men” (Romans 12:18). Our character, which defines how we conduct ourselves, should demand respect of all who are around us—even non-Christians. In fact, elders in the church “must have a good testimony among those who are outside” (1 Timothy 3:7). A person who has put on Christ in baptism must live lives of integrity.

Will you always receive the respect you deserve as a moral person attempting to live according to God’s Word? No, but another person’s action does not change what the Word says. We must give as much respect to others as we can muster; we must be at peace “as much as depends on you” (Romans 12:18).

Read Genesis 18:16-19:29

Pleading for Mercy for Others

It has been said that grace is receiving something good that one does not deserve, while mercy is not receiving something bad that one does deserve. In God’s dealings with man, we see both grace and mercy on display throughout the Scriptures and in our own lives.

The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah is a well-known event to those who are avid Bible readers. What was wrong with Sodom and Gomorrah. In general terms, the Lord says that “their sin is very grave” (Genesis 18:20). In specific terms, homosexuality had become the norm for them. The men of Sodom surrounded the house of Lot and demanded that the men (who were actually angels) be brought out because they wanted to “know them carnally” (Genesis 19:5).

Despite the depravity of these men, Abraham pleaded for mercy in Genesis 18. He bargained with the Lord and asked, “Would You also destroy the righteous with the wicked? Supposed there were fifty righteous within the city; would You also destroy the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous that were in it?” (Genesis 18:23-24). God agrees, and Abraham lowers the number from fifty to forty-five, then to forty, thirty, twenty, all the way down to ten. God tells Abraham, “I will not destroy it for the sake of ten” (Genesis 18:32), but not even ten were found.

Yet, because of the mercy of God, Lot and his family were given the opportunity to escape the destruction. Lot and his two daughters took advantage of this opportunity; his sons-in-law thought he was joking when he urged them to come with him, and his wife looked back while fleeing and was destroyed. Yet Lot was able to escape because of the faithfulness and intercession of Abraham.

Will God extend mercy to your loved ones because of your faithfulness? Will they receive opportunities to turn to Him because of the example that you set? Are you interceding with God on their behalf, asking that they may come to the knowledge of the truth? Are you seeking opportunities to share that truth with them yourself?

His mercy is great, but He will not violate His will. Destruction will come to the impenitent sinner. Please with Him while they are here, and plead with them to submit to His will.

Read Genesis 18:1-15

Is Anything Too Hard for the Lord?

What a mighty God we serve! Abraham and Sarah were old, but God promised to bless them with a son. The previous chapter says that “Abraham fell on his face and laughed” when he was told that Sarah would bear a child (Genesis 17:17). In the current chapter, Sarah laughs when she overheard her husband and the three men speaking. Despite the fact that Sarah was ninety years old and “had passed the age of childbearing,” God would indeed bless them with a child.

Man has a tendency to mock the unlimited, infinite power of God because we have such limited, finite minds. We need to understand that God will do whatever God wants to do; man’s inability to fully comprehend His power will not stop the Lord. Paul touches on this in his letter to the church in Ephesus, writing, “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen” (Ephesians 3:20-21).

Do you want the church to be blessed and grow? Fervently pray about it and faithfully work toward it and watch God do even more than you imagined! Do you want your family to be strengthened in spiritual matters? Humbly pray and obediently submit to His Word and watch God make you stronger than you thought you could be! Alone we may be weak, but if we are working with God, nothing is impossible!

“Is anything too hard for the Lord?” This is the question posed to Sarah after laughing at the suggestion that she would bear a child. It is a rhetorical question! Of course, nothing is too hard for the Lord! He said, “At the appointed time I will return to you, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son” (Genesis 18:14).

Don’t doubt God; nothing is too hard for the Lord. Work with Him, according to His will, and you can say (as did Paul), “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).