DAILY HOPE DEVOTIONAL: August 11 Topic: Angelic visitation to Abraham Scriptures: Gen. 18: 1 – 10.
Abraham was very receptive to the angels, he lavishly entertained them without knowing their identity. After the angels ate and were satisfied, they requested for his wife. (V.10) “Then one of them said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son.” That pronouncement brought an end to 25 years of waiting for the promise of God to Abraham to be fulfilled. Don’t be nasty to strangers because you might not know if they are carriers of your blessings.
Genesis 18:16-33, when the angels appeared to Abraham, they were recognized as men of God, their angelic identity was not immediately perceived. Interestingly, one of the three visitors was the Lord Himself. He revealed his identity and the purpose of his mission to Abraham.” Shall I hide from Abraham what l am doing” (V:17). Abraham became a great intercessor, his prayer for Lot and the city of Sodom and Gomorrah was classic prayer of intercession. Abraham asking for the city to be spared, if there are but 50 righteous people who are in it. He boldly prayed, “Far be it from thee to do such thing, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous fare as the wicked!” Abraham asked God to spare the righteous from 50, he continued his negotiation downward until 10; God agreed, and then the Lord went His way.
There are several lessons to learn from Abraham’s true and sincere prayer to God. When we pray, we should know that it is about His will and intentions not ours. We should be humble but bold and persistent until an answer is received.
God wanted to know if Abraham would obey Him. He instructed Abraham to take Isaac, the heir to God’s promise and sacrifice him. Abraham obeyed. But God intervened and provided a ram to offer instead. After, God reinforce his covenant with Abraham. That was the utmost test of faith. As Christians, trials and tests reveals our obedience to God and the genuineness of our faith and trust in Him. Tests also produce steadfastness, strength of character, and equip us with ability to weather the storms of life; because they press us closer to the Lord. We need to ask ourselves: ‘what do we need to sacrifice in our own lives to follow God more closely?’
Prayer points:
Lord, mold my character, may I not misbehave towards my destiny helpers.
Help me to be humble, bold and persistent in my prayers so that I don’t give up until my prayers are answered.
Confession:
Tests and trials of life produce in me steadfastness, strength of character and not the other way round.
CONTACT US? You can contact us for prayer requests or discussion through ubasimon341@gmail.com
revmrsudenyi@hopealivechurch.
