Tracy’s Thoughts Day 4

Oh Baby

We are on day 4 of our 21 day journey (hip hip hurray) you are doing awesome!
So many times as I read through the Bible, usually in my comfy climate controlled environment, I think about the hardships of those I’m reading about. Now I’m not talking about the extremes, like Mary riding a donkey about to give birth, or John the Baptist in the wilderness wearing camels hair eating locusts, or Paul… I don’t even want to list everything he went through! I’m thinking today, more about Abraham and Sarah, Lot and his wife. (hmmmmm do we know her name, perhaps Saline – ok bad joke) It’s the heat of the day, Abraham is sitting around when here comes these wonderful messengers from God to tell them about the son they will have this time next year. They’re done with their visit and are about to leave when The Lord sees fit to tell Abraham of his plan to take out Sodom & Gomorrah where nephew Lot lives. (Genesis 18)

Here’s my thought: why did those messengers have to spoil the moment? Have you ever had that happen? You just received some fantastic news when boom – bad news comes banging at the door. Poor Abraham, finally a timeline on when he and Sarah are going to have that long anticipated baby and now what, Lot and his family destroyed? Talk about a downer.

I think if we look carefully we can see why The Lord wanted to share the information, it’s found in verse 19 it says, “l have singled him (Abraham) out so that he will direct his sons and their families to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just then I will do for Abraham all that I have promised.” The Bible says in verses 18 that all the world would be blessed through Abraham. I think it was one of those teaching moments that any good father gives to their children. A cause and effect moment; bad people doing bad things equal bad results or maybe good people around bad people equal better get away while you can or bad will happen to you.

Our world may not be quite as bad as Sodom, but I’m reminded what it says in 1 Corinthians 15:33 “Do not be misled bad company corrupts good character.” I want to live a life that makes people thirsty for what I have, I don’t want to be so entrenched by this world that I find myself like salt which has lost its flavor.

Let’s pray, Lord today I thank you that you have given us your Word. It really is a lamp to our feet and helps illuminate our path. Thank you for people in the Bible that we can look to as examples both those who walked the straight and narrow and those who even looked back and turned into salt. Help us to shine our light in the darkness and when we get too close to wandering from your path give us that wake up call. Our heart is to be more and more like you Jesus. Amen
Ps The good news is, at least Abraham could sleep well knowing he’d done all he could do. Not sure I’m bold enough to barter with God. 😉