Twins – there is something exciting about having twins. Twins seem to tweak our curiosity. For Rebekah, twins meant two siblings struggling with each other before they were even born. After struggling with infertility, the Lord heard Isaac’s prayer and blessed Rebekah, saying to her:

“The sons in your womb will become two nations. From the very beginning, the two nations will be rivals. One nation will be stronger than the other; and your older son will serve your younger son.” – Genesis 25:23

Sure enough, Jacob was born pursuing his brother’s position as firstborn – with his hand grasping Esau’s heel. As they grew up, their differences increased with Esau becoming a skilled hunter of wild animals and Jacob staying closer to home to tend his father’s tamed flocks.

Showing he had little regard for his birthright and that he was driven more by his carnal desires, Esau traded his birthright when Jacob offered his hungry brother a bowl of stew for the precious inheritance. Esau ate the meal, then got up and left (25:27-34) – only to be hungry again in just a few hours. He gave up his blessed position for temporary pleasure. Fear of not getting what he wanted caused Esau to jeopardize all that was rightfully his as firstborn son.

Isaac also allowed fear to jeopardize God’s blessing. There was a time of famine and Isaac moved his family to Gerar. The Lord told him to stay there – that He would be with Isaac and bless him. God’s promise to Abraham continued through Isaac as He promised to make his descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky (26:4).

Despite this promise of blessing, Isaac let fear control him. Out of fear the Philistines would kill him in order to obtain his beautiful wife, Isaac told everyone that Rebekah was his sister. Sound familiar? Apparently Isaac had not learned from his own father’s mistakes (12:10-20). Isaac’s fear of death put his wife in danger and God’s blessing in jeopardy. King Abimelech saw Rebekah in Isaac’s arms one day and confronted his lie, declaring protection over this family. And once more, God blessed His people in spite of their great fear and small faith.

Years later, Rebekah let her fear get in the way of her faith. Isaac was old and losing his sight. He called Esau and told him to hunt for some wild game and prepare Isaac’s favorite dish. He would then pronounce the blessing of the firstborn onto Esau. Rebekah remembered God’s promise but her fear that Esau would get the blessing she wanted for Jacob caused her to intervene and choose deception instead of faith.

Jacob willfully followed Rebekah’s plan of deception. He pretended to be Esau and tricked Isaac into giving him the blessing Isaac intended for Esau. When Esau learned of his brother’s trickery, a hate began to grow in him and he schemed how he might kill Jacob someday. When Rebekah heard of Esau’s plan, she sent Jacob away with the excuse that he needed to travel back to Rebekah’s brother to find a wife so he would not have to marry a Canaanite woman.

Rebekah probably never again saw this son she loved so much. If she had trusted God’s provision of His promise, she might have grown old watching Jacob receive God’s blessings. Instead of faith she chose fear, using manipulation and deception to pull God’s plan into place. But God’s plan not God’s way is never God’s will.

What areas of my life am I letting fear control? Lord, teach me to trust in you for every provision. May your promises and blessings on my life pour out directly from your hand. Teach me to let go of my attempts to control and manipulate the circumstances around me. Help me to simply open up my hands to receive what you want in my life. Forgive me for the many times I let fear get in the way of my faith. God, I trust you. You are my Provider and my Protector. In you I place my trust, giving you my family and my future. Amen.

It was evening and Rebekah did the same thing she did every evening. She gathered her empty water jug and walked to the well along with the other women. Perhaps the water would be used to prepare the evening meal or to water the garden where she grew food for her family. It was her routine and, perhaps, her favorite time of day – the opportunity to take a walk with the other women.

It was in living out her routine of daily spending time at the well that Rebekah’s life was forever changed. Today was different than the other days. Today there was a servant with 10 camels kneeling close to the well. Rebekah went down to the spring, filled her jug and then came up again. The servant ran over to her and asked for her drink. Without hesitation, Rebekah quickly lowered her water jug from her shoulder and gave him a drink. She offered to draw water for all 10 camels and quickly emptied the remainder of the jug into the trough and returned to the spring over and over again, drawing perhaps as much as 250 gallons of water for the camels (Genesis 24).

I wonder what Rebekah’s reaction was when the servant gave her a gold ring for her nose and two large gold bracelets for her wrists. Had she ever been given a gift of such value? Did she realize the significance of the gift? Did she have any idea of how quickly her life was going to change?

Rebekah was simply living out her routine of daily spending time at the well and God met her there. Her life was never the same. God had a plan for her life and she began a new journey, willing to go wherever God wanted her to be – even if that was a very long way from her family and friends, from the life she had always known. God blessed her generously and she became a matriarch in the lineage of the Messiah.

It was evening and Zipporah did the same thing she did every evening. She gathered her empty water jug and walked to the well with her six sisters. Every evening the girls made this trip to the well, bringing back water to fill the troughs for their father’s flocks. It was her routine and, perhaps, her favorite time of day – the opportunity to take a walk with her sisters.

It was in living out her routine of daily spending time at the well that Zipporah’s life was forever changed. Today was different than the other days. Today there were cruel shepherds at the well who chased them away, keeping them from what they needed to do. But there was also a hero at the well who swept in and rescued the girls from the shepherds. His name was Moses (Exodus 2).

I wonder what Zipporah’s reaction was when this handsome man dressed as an Egyptian prince came to her rescue. Had anyone ever done something of that kind of value for her before? Did she realize the significance of this moment? Did she have any idea of how quickly her life was going to change?

Zipporah was simply living out her routine of daily spending time at the well and God met her there. Her life was never the same. God had a plan for her life and she began a new journey – a journey that would someday take her a very long way from her family and friends, from the life she had always known. God blessed her generously and she had a front row seat to watching her husband be used by God to rescue His people out of slavery.

It was noon and the Samaritan woman did the same thing she did every day. She gathered her empty water jug and walked to the well alone. Every day she made this trip to the well by herself, avoiding the other women who would come to the well later in the day. She wanted to avoid the stares and the whispering, the condemnation she knew she deserved. But there was a hero at the well that day, a Savior who knew her secrets and offered her living water.

Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” – John 4:13-14

It was in living out her routine of daily spending time at the well that the Samaritan’s life was forever changed. Today was different than the other days. Her heart leapt at the thought of a different life, a life in which she would no longer need to face the condemnation of others each day. She understood the value of the gift she was being offered when Jesus told her, “I am the Messiah!” (John 4:26). She ran to the village and brought many Samaritans back to the well to meet Jesus.

The Samaritan woman was simply living out her routine of daily coming to the well and Jesus met her there. Her life was never the same. God had a plan for her life and she began a new journey – a journey that would take her a long way from the sinful life she had known for so long. A life in which she would never thirst again.

It is in living out a routine of daily spending time at the well that our lives can be changed forever. God meets us when we faithfully spend time in His presence. Many days it will feel the same, like routine. But there will be days in which God gives us a moment that will change our lives forever. He has a plan for our lives and He longs to guide us daily on our new journey – a journey with God-moments, opportunities, and living water.

Sarah died at age 127. Abraham bought a plot of land surrounding a cave so that he could have a permanent burial place for his family. He, too, was getting up in age and it was time for him to find a wife for Isaac. He did not want her to marry a local Canaanite woman, so he asked his oldest servant, the man in charge of his household, to travel back to his homeland to find Isaac a wife.

So the servant took an oath by putting his hand under the thigh of his master, Abraham. He swore to follow Abraham’s instructions. Then he loaded ten of Abraham’s camels with all kinds of expensive gifts from his master, and he traveled to distant Aram-naharaim. Then he went to the town where Abraham’s brother Nahor had settled. He made the camels kneel beside a well just outside the town. It was evening and the women were coming out to draw water. – Genesis 24:9-11

When asked to perform this very important task for his master, Abraham’s servant was WILLING, he was PREPARED and he left EQUIPPED to do what he had been asked to do. He STRATEGICALLY POSITIONED himself. He was there to find a young woman, so he went to the place where the young women were known to go each day and draw water for their families. Then he PRAYED to God for success.

“O Lord, God of my master, Abraham,” he prayed. “Please give me success today, and show unfailing love to my master, Abraham. See, I am standing here beside the spring, and the young women of the town are coming out to draw water. This is my request. I will ask one of them, ‘Please give me a drink from your jug.’ If she says, ‘Yes, have a drink, and I will water your camels, too!’ – let her be the one you have selected as Isaac’s wife. This is how I will know that you have shown unfailing love to my master.” – Genesis 24:12-14

Abraham’s servant had been entrusted with a great responsibility. When it came time for him to carry out Abraham’s request, he first took time to pray – asking God to be the one to give him success that day. His heart was genuine. He did not want success for his own merit but out of love for His master. And the Spirit compelled him to pray specifically.

Before he had finished praying, before he had even finished praying, don’t miss this – before the words were completely out of his mouth, God specifically answered his prayer!

Before he had finished praying, he saw a young woman named Rebekah coming out with her water jug on her shoulder. She was the daughter of Bethuel, who was the son of Abraham’s brother, Nahor and his wife, Milcah. Rebekah was very beautiful and old enough to be married, but she was still a virgin. She went down to the spring, filled her jug, and came up again. Running over to her, the servant said, “Please give me a little drink of water from your jug.”

“Yes, my lord,” she answered, “have a drink.” And she quickly lowered her jug from her shoulder and gave him a drink. When she had given him a drink, she said, “I’ll draw water for your camels, too, until they have had enough to drink.” – Genesis 24:15-19

Now my study Bible says that ten thirsty camels could drink as much as 250 gallons of water. This generous offer of Rebekah’s showed she was hard-working and hospitable. By remaining a virgin, Rebekah was also available for God’s plan for her life.

The servant waited patiently, watching God be God – taking in the moment when God was answering his prayer and making his journey successful. He then took time to praise God and to give honor to the God who had LED HIM ON HIS JOURNEY. God had not simply called him, He had led Him.

The man bowed low and worshiped the Lord. “Praise the Lord, the God of my master, Abraham,” he said. The Lord has shown unfailing love and faithfulness to my master, for he has led me straight to my master’s relatives.” – Genesis 24:26-27

The servant gave Rebekah a gold nose ring and two large gold bracelets for her wrists – very expensive gifts. Rebekah brought the servant back to her family and her brother immediately noticed the value of the gifts. The servant testified to Laban and his family how God had given him success in what he had been sent to do.

Delayed obedience is disobedience. Rebekah’s family wanted her to wait 10 days before leaving but the servant did not want to delay the completion of his mission. Rebekah recognized the hand of God on her life and willingly went with the servant right away, rather than taking the time to say goodbye to her family as was traditionally allowed.

I love this next part because I have experienced it firsthand: It was while spending time alone in God’s presence that Isaac looked up and saw Rebekah (24:63). I love how our Faithful God speaks to us and moves in our lives during our quiet times with Him. I believe there was no doubt in Isaac’s mind and no wavering of Rebekah’s heart that God had chosen them to join together for God’s purposes and His plan.

Lord, we pause and wait patiently for you. We take time this morning to pray and to praise. We are willing to be used by you today. Lord, prepare and equip us to accomplish your will. Give us wisdom to know where to strategically position ourselves and how to pray specifically. Speak to us and give us an unwavering obedient heart for you. We love you and we praise you for unfailing love and faithfulness towards us each day. Amen.

We don’t need to protect what God gave us from the God who gave it to us.

This is a point I heard my husband make in one of his sermons a couple of years ago. It comes back to my mind this week. Yesterday, we had friends from church bring their newborn son home from the hospital to start their new journey as parents. Yesterday, my brother-in-law and sister-in-law drove their son, Tyler, to college to start his freshman year. Next week, they will make the same drive with their daughter, Brittany.

No matter how excited you are about what God has for your children, no matter how long you have planned for this day, no matter how much you have prepared yourself for this moment – there is nothing easy about letting go of your children and trusting God with what comes next. Only this is not the first time John & Cheryl have trusted God with their kids. They have spent the last 19 years placing their most precious gifts from God back into the hands of the God who provides. It is something we, as parents, have to do daily.

Abraham would understand just how hard a task this is. But Abraham would also understand how it is the same God who blessed us with children in the first place who asks us to trust Him with what comes next – to do anything God would ask us to do with the blessings He has provided for us.

Some time later, God tested Abraham’s faith. “Abraham!” God called.

Then Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught by its horns in a thicket. So he took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering in place of his son. Abraham named the place Yahweh-Yireh (which means “the Lord will provide”). To this day, people still use that name as a proverb: “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.” – Genesis 22:1-14

Isaac was the fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham yet God asked Abraham to sacrifice Isaac. Abraham trusted God to provide and faithfully, without hesitation, walked up the mountain with his greatest possession – his son.

We don’t need to protect what God gave us from the God who gave it to us.
– My marriage
– My family
– My job
– My money
– My health
– My friends

This morning, Jake & Bekah woke up to the sounds of their newborn son.

This morning, John & Cheryl woke up missing the son they dropped off at college yesterday.

This morning, Kelly will stand by Joe’s bedside and watch the doctors turn off the machines and kiss her husband goodbye.

This morning, Matt & Trish will drive their son to his second surgery in the last 8 days.

This morning, Tim will continue what he has been doing since July 5th – sitting by Darci’s beside and praying for God to heal her.

“Here I am, Lord.” Show me this morning what I am clinging to that has never been mine to begin with. Remind me of your provisions and give me the strength to trust you with what comes next. I thank you for the abundant blessings you so generously extend to me every day. I place EVERYTHING on the altar and I choose to listen to your voice. Yahweh-Yireh – the Lord will provide.

This morning the Lord gave me a closer look at Abraham’s nephew, Lot. As we learned last week, Lot’s father had died while still in Ur of the Chaldeans, which is why Lot went with Abraham after his grandfather also died. Just as He blessed Abraham, God also blessed Lot with great wealth through his large possession of flocks of sheep and goats, herds of cattle, and many tents.

When their flocks became too big, Abraham gave Lot a choice: “The whole countryside is open to you. Take your choice of any section of the land you want, and we will separate. If you want the land to the left, then I’ll take the land on the right. If you prefer the land on the right, then I’ll go to the left.” – Gen. 13:9

When given a choice, Lot chose the whole Jordan Valley, an area that was very fertile and therefore would make him even wealthier. He moved his tents to a place near Sodom and settled among the cities of the plain. Now here is the significance of this decision. This area was known for the extreme wickedness of the people living there. They had a reputation of constantly sinning against the Lord, yet Lot was drawn to what this area had to offer him and he made a choice to live among this sinful society (13:12-13).

Soon after that, a war broke out between nine kings. The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were plundered and Lot was taken hostage along with all of his household and many others from that area. Abraham gathered together his men and rescued Lot from the mess he had gotten himself into. Rather than starting a new life in a new area, Lot chose to return to life as he knew it – back in Sodom where the people went right back to their sinful ways.

Now when the three visitors came to Abraham with the promise that Sarah would have a baby in about a year, the Lord also had a message for Abraham regarding the judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah. The cities had become very flagrant in their sin.

Abraham had concern for the residents of these cities and asked God if He would spare the cities if He found 50 people who were righteous. God agreed. Abraham asked if He would spare the cities if He found 45 righteous people. God agreed. What about 40? Yes, 40. What about 30? Yes, 30. Abraham boldly asked God if He would spare the cities if he found 20 righteous people. For the sake of 20, God agreed He would spare the cities. Abraham, probably thinking of the fate of his nephew, asked God for one more number – would he spare the cities for 10? God stated He would hold back his judgment if He found even as small of a number as 10 righteous people.

Lot was drawn to the sinfulness of society while Abraham was concerned for the fate of the lost. Lot blended in with the sinful people while Abraham separated himself and prayed to the Lord for those condemned to judgment.

Two angels came to Lot in Sodom. They warned him of the coming destruction of the city and told Lot to get out of the city. The next morning, Lot was still there. The angels had to insist that Lot take his family and leave Sodom immediately. Lot still hesitated and the angels had to drag Lot and his family to safety.

When they were safely out of the city, one of the angels ordered, “Run for your lives! And don’t look back or stop anywhere in the valley! Escape to the mountains, or you will be swept away!” – Gen. 19:17

Lot begged the angels to let him stay close by. He was being warned to run from sinfulness and wickedness but Lot chose to stay close to the sinful life he had come to know. Lot’s wife looked back on the city as it was being destroyed and she turned into a pillar of salt. The verb used here indicates she cast more than a curious glance. She gazed intensely for a prolonged period. She was too attached to sin to respond to God’s gracious mercy. She chose to focus on what this sinful world had to offer her instead of the gift of life God was extending to her.

These people are as useless as dried-up springs or as mist blown away by the wind. They are doomed to blackest darkness. They brag about themselves with empty, foolish boasting. With an appeal to twisted sexual desires, they lure back into sin those who have barely escaped from a lifestyle of deception. They promise freedom, but they themselves are slaves of sin and corruption. For you are a slave to whatever controls you. And when people escape from the wickedness of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and then get tangled up and enslaved by sin again, they are worse off than before. It would be better if they had never known the way to righteousness than to know it and then reject the command they were given to live a holy life. They prove the truth of this proverb: “A dog returns to its vomit.” And another says, “A washed pig returns to the mud.” – 2 Peter 2:17-22

God, reveal in us any love we might have for the sinful ways of the world we live in. Reveal the choices we daily make and do a work in our hearts. Lord, help us to see this world and be concerned for their sin, rather than drawn into its corruption. Heavenly Father, we choose freedom in knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ rather than being a slave to the sin that seeks to control us. We answer Your call to live a holy life and choose to walk in the way of righteousness – fill us with Your righteousness we pray. Amen.

Some time later, the Lord spoke to Abram in a vision and said to him, “Do not be afraid, Abram, for I will protect you, and your reward will be great.”

But Abram replied, “O Sovereign Lord, what good are all your blessings when I don’t even have a son? Since you’ve given me no children, Eliezer of Damascus, a servant in my household, will inherit all my wealth. You have given me no descendants of my own, so one of my servants will be my heir.” – Genesis 15:1-3

God has promised Abram that his descendants will be as numerous as the dust of the earth (13:16), but Abram is confused by the fact that he is still without a son of his own. He calls God “Sovereign Lord” showing that he recognizes God is in charge. God reminds him – My will, my way, my time. God confirms his promise again to Abram, telling him his descendants will be as numerous as the stars in the sky (15:5).

And Abram believed the Lord, and the Lord counted him as righteous because of his faith. – Gen. 15:6

God reminded Abram that the promise for his descendants included the promise for a territory or inheritance. Abram’s response – “O Sovereign Lord, how can I be sure that I will actually possess it?” Abram again recognizes that God is in charge and God again confirms his promise (15:8,18-19).

The Scriptures say that Abraham had two sons, one from his slave wife and one from his freeborn wife. The son of the slave wife was born in a human attempt to bring about the fulfillment of God’s promise. But the son of the freeborn wife was born out of God’s own fulfillment of his promise (Galatians 4:22-23).

Sarai tried to force God’s will her own way in her own time by having Abram lay with her servant girl, Hagar. Then in jealousy, Sarai treated Hagar harshly so Hagar ran away. God SAW Hagar’s pain (16:13) and met with her, but sent her back to Sarai. Later, after the birth of Sarah’s son Isaac, Hagar was sent away. This time God HEARD Hagar’s pain and met with her, providing for her needs and blessing her son. Again God makes it clear – My will, my way, my time.

There have been too times in my life when I, too, have made a human attempt to force God’s hand. What a great reminder for me this morning that God has a plan, God has a way and God has His own timing. I can rest and relax in His Sovereignty!

“I am El-Shaddai – ‘God Almighty.’ Serve me faithfully and live a blameless life. I will make a covenant with you, by which I will guarantee to give you countless descendants.” – Genesis 17:1-2

God again confirmed His promise to Abram. He changed his name to Abraham, which means ‘father of many’ and changed Sarai’s name to Sarah, stating He would bless her richly and make her the mother of many nations. At ages 100 and 90, what God was promising seemed humanly impossible. But God is Sovereign and for Him nothing is impossible.

Abram loved Ishmael and asked God to fulfill His promise through his son.

God’s will: “No – Sarah, your wife will give birth to a son for you. You will name him Isaac, and I will confirm my covenant with him and his descendants as an everlasting covenant…” (17:19).

God’s way: “But my covenant will be confirmed with Isaac, who will be born to you and Sarah…” (17:21)

God’s time: “…about this time next year” (17:21)

Three men appeared to Abraham one day to once again confirm God’s promise: “I will return to you about this time next year, and your wife, Sarah, will have a son!” (18:10). Sarah was listening to this conversation from the tent and laughed silent to herself saying, “HOW could a worn-out woman like me enjoy such pleasure, especially when my master – my husband – is also so old?” (18:12)

Then the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh? Why did she say, ‘Can an old woman like me have a baby?’ Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return about this time next year, and Sarah will have a son.” (18:13-14).

What a great reminder to start off my day! With a cup of morning coffee and a word from the Lord, I’m eager to face what is ahead. All the “How?” questions rattling around in my brain have the same answer – God’s will, God’s way, and in God’s time. El-Shaddai, I place my day in your hands. God Almighty, I place my life in your hands. Sovereign Lord, I let go and let you decide what happens from here. I long to experience Your will, Your way , in Your time. Amen.

Now from the descendants of Noah’s son Shem came a man named Terah, who was the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran. After Terah died, the Lord spoke to Abram giving him instructions and a promise.

“Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.” – Genesis 12:1-3

Leave and go where I show you to go – this is the first element of God’s promise. It requires more than just initial obedience of leaving all he knows. It also requires continual obedience and submission, following wherever God leads each day. Abram does this and receives confirmation of the promise as the Lord appeared to him again in Canaan, “I will give this land to your descendants” (12:7).

I will make you into a great nation and bless you – God promises Abram that he will be blessed and grow into a great nation. This promise has great significance to Abram because his wife, Sarai, has been unable to become pregnant and they have no children (11:30). Yet God promises Abram descendants.

You will be a blessing to others…all the families on earth will be blessed through you – this promise was not just about and for the benefit of Abram. It was much larger than that. There were so many other people who would be blessed through this promise, so many others relying on Abram’s faith in God – literally everyone!

I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt – God promises protection of Abram and guardianship of His promise. Unfortunately, Abram did not remember this part of the promise when he arrived with Sarai and his nephew Lot (Haran’s son) in Egypt.

There was a severe famine, forcing Abram to go to Egypt to find food. Now Sarai was very beautiful and Abram feared the Egyptians would kill him in order to have her. Instead of relying on God to fulfill His promise, Abram took matters into his own hands and deceived the Egyptians by telling them Sarai was his sister – which she very well may have been but he failed to mention she was also his wife. God had promised to protect Abram from harm but Abram still felt the need to protect himself through deception.

Everyone did notice Sarai’s beauty and she was taken to Pharoah to be his wife. Terrible plagues came upon Pharoah and his household because of Sarai. Pharoah gave her back to Abram and commanded him to leave Egypt – the place they had fled to in order to survive the famine.

Abram left Egypt and traveled to the region between Bethel and Ai. Their group was quite large so Abram offered to split the land with Lot, giving Lot his first choice of which land he wanted. “If you want the land to the left, then I’ll take the land on the right. If you prefer the land on the right, then I’ll go to the left” (13:9).

Now all the land to the east of them in the Jordan Valley was very fertile and well watered, obviously the best choice of land. Perhaps Abram has learned something from his journey through Egypt. He knows that it is not the land itself that will bless him but that God will bless him regardless of which piece of land he gets. After Lot chose the better half, the Lord confirmed his promise to Abram a third time:

“Look as far as you can see in EVERY direction – north and south, east and west. I am giving all this land, as far as you can see, to you and your descendants as a permanent possession. And I will give you so many descendants that, like the dust of the earth, they cannot be counted! Go and walk through the land in every direction, for I am giving it to you.” – Genesis 13:14-17

There was a battle between the kings in the nations around Abram and Lot was caught in the battle (14:1-24). Abram rescued Lot, as well as many others who had been caught in the conflict. The king of Sodom was so grateful that he wanted to give all the goods captured to Abram as a gift. Just as Abram now knew that God was the source of his protection, he also knew God was the source of his blessings. He refused the gifts and kept his eyes on God – his protector and his provider.

Dear God, thank you for your promises. May we respond in obedience to your call on our lives, just as Abram did. May we trust you for our protection and for every blessing in life. Show us the areas of our lives in which we are taking things into our own hands, trusting in our own abilities instead of relying on you. Remind us today, oh Lord, of your many promises. Remind me that everything good in my life is not a result of my own effort, but evidence of your promise, your protection and your provision. Amen.

After the flood, Noah began to cultivate the ground, and he planted a vineyard. One day he drank some wine he had made, and he became drunk and lay naked inside his tent. Ham, the father of Canaan, saw that his father was naked and went outside and told his brothers. – Genesis 9:20-22

This was the mistake that would change the course of Ham’s life. It was an issue of disloyalty and thinking of himself before thinking of someone else. Ham had the opportunity to take responsibility and cover his father. Instead of taking action out of respect for his father, Ham went outside and told his brothers, who took care of covering their father. Ham shirked his responsibility and brought shame to his father. Noah cursed Ham’s descendants to a life of servanthood (9:26-27) – if you don’t want to help take care of family, you will spend the rest of your life with no choice but to take care of others.

Ham was not the only of Noah’s descendants to think too much of himself. Ham had four sons but it was his son Canaan on whom the curse landed. But with the curse of servanthood did not come a humble spirit. The desire to be famous and rise above the curse remained. The tendency to think too much of themselves remained.

The descendants of Ham were Cush, Mizraim, Put, and Canaan…Cush was also the ancestor of Nimrod, who was the first heroic warrior on earth. Since he was the greatest hunter in the world, his name became proverbial. People would say, “This man is like Nimrod, the greatest hunter in the world.” He built his kingdom in the land of Babylonia, with the cities of Babylon, Erech, Akkad, and Calneh… – Genesis 10:6-10

Recognize Babylon? Babylon becomes the epicenter of arrogance and idolatry. This is where it begins. The descendants of Nimrod thought too much of themselves. I find it ironic that today’s slang definition of “nimrod” means idiot or jerk. Nimrod found too much pride in being a heroic warrior and hunter, but pride comes before a fall (Proverbs 16:18). Nimrod’s descendants are about to experience a fall like no other.

At one time all the people of the world spoke the same language and used the same words. As the people migrated to the east, they found a plain in the land of Babylonia and settled there.

They began saying to each other, “Let’s make bricks and harden them with fire.” (In this region bricks were used instead of stone, and tar was used for mortar.) Then they said, “Come, let’s build a great city for ourselves with a tower that reaches into the sky. This will make us famous and keep us from being scattered all over the world.” – Genesis 11:1-4

With a shortage of stone in that area, the people used innovation and created bricks. Rather than recognizing this as a gift from God, they found excitement in the idea that they might become famous for their creation. If they could build a great tower made of bricks, the world would hear and see how wonderful they were. They would become famous and there would be no need to ever leave their earthly kingdom.

Consider the sin of Adam and Eve. The serpent tempted them with the possibility of becoming like God. Eve was easily convinced by the serpent and her desire for wisdom like God’s caused her to sin. Adam witnessed the whole thing and joined in this self-ambitious sin. They were banished from the garden, made to leave the area they had come to love.

The people of Babylon desired to be as powerful and famous as God. Their longing for fame and fortune was stronger than their love for God. Their desire to stay there and not be scattered all over the world resulted in just that – banishment and the scattering of people across the region.

But the Lord came down to look at the city and the tower the people were building. “Look!” he said. “The people are united and they all speak the same language. After this, nothing they set out to do will be impossible for them! Come, let’s go down and confuse the people with different languages. Then they won’t be able to understand each other.”

In that way, the Lord scattered them all over the world, and they stopped building the city. That is why the city was called Babel, because that is where the Lord confused the people with different languages. In this way he scattered them all over the world. – Genesis 11:5-9

God, humble us today. May we see every good and wonderful thing in our lives as a gift from you. May every blessing be evidence of your generosity. Forgive us for our moments of pride. We long to be your servants for your Kingdom rather than building our own fame and fortune. Help us to see the needs of others and respond with help rather than gossip. Help us to see every obstacle as an opportunity to see you glorified, not us. Amen.

But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you (Genesis 4:7b). Unfortunately, most of Adam’s descendants refused to do what was right.

The Lord observed the extent of human wickedness on the earth, and he saw that everything they thought or imagined was consistently and totally evil. So the Lord was sorry he had ever made them and put them on the earth. It broke his heart. And the Lord said, “I will wipe this human race I have created from the face of the earth. Yes, and I will destroy every living thing – all the people, the large animals, the small animals that scurry along the ground, and even the birds of the sky. I am sorry I ever made them.” But Noah found favor with the Lord. – Genesis 6:5-8

There are 2 men in the account of Adam’s descendants in chapter 5 of Genesis who were described as “walking in close fellowship with God” – Enoch and Noah. But what God did with their faithfulness was very different.

Enoch lived in close fellowship with God for another 300 years, and he had many other sons and daughters. Enoch lived 365 years, walking in close fellowship with God. Then one day he disappeared, because God took him. – Genesis 5:22-24

In comparison to the life span of the other descendants of Adam in this account, Enoch lived a very short life. If we put it in our terms today, it would be like someone dying around age 40. Enoch was faithful to God and lived in close relationship with Him, but God chose to take Enoch from earth early in his life to go and be with God. Noah was also a righteous man, the only blameless person living on earth at the time, and he also walked in close fellowship with God (6:9). God had a different plan for Noah – a plan to keep him on earth for God’s purposes.

This stands out to me this morning as I consider the many times I have wondered why God took one of His faithful followers to be with Him instead of healing them or sparing them physical harm. God has different plans for different people and it is not always easy to understand His reasons, but we can always trust His heart. Both Enoch and Noah found favor with God, but His loving response differed from one situation to another – yet God remains the same faithful and loving God. God simply wasn’t done with Noah.

God chose to wipe all living creatures from the earth because of the violence that was everywhere. But, because of the faithfulness of one man, God created a plan to spare Noah and his family.

God told Noah that he was going to cover the earth with a flood. Noah had never experienced a flood but he trusted God. God told Noah to build a boat. Noah had never seen a boat but he trusted God. Everything God told Noah to do, he did exactly as God commanded him (6:22; 7:5). And everything God said He was going to do, He did – in His time.

It rained for 40 days and the floodwaters covered the earth for 150 days. After 5 months, Noah released a bird to see if the floodwaters on the earth had dried up. But the bird came back because there was no place for it to land. It was not God’s time. Noah sent out a dove, but again the bird came back. It was not God’s time. Seven days later, Noah released another dove and it came back with a fresh olive leaf in its beak. It was still not God’s time but a sign from God that the time was drawing near. Seven days later, Noah released a third dove and it did not come back. Still Noah waited for God’s instructions (Genesis 8).

Then God said to Noah, “Leave the boat…” So Noah, his wife, and his sons and their wives left the boat (8:15,18).

God told Noah before the flood that He would confirm His covenant with Noah (6:18). The first thing Noah did after emptying the animals from the boat was to build an altar to the Lord and sacrifice burnt offerings to Him. God then spoke His covenant or promise to Noah:

“I will never again curse the ground because of the human race, even though everything they think or imagine is bent toward evil from childhood. I will never again destroy all living things. As long as the earth remains, there will be planting and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night.” – Genesis 8:21-22

Just as He promised, God confirmed His covenant with Noah. He also gave him a sign of his covenant, a promise for all future generations to see and be reminded that God keeps His promises. God sent a rainbow – an image of peace after the storm and a reminder of God’s eternal covenant with us.

For God’s purposes…in His time…because I choose to believe He is a God who keeps His promises.

“Why are you so angry?” the Lord asked Cain. “Why do you look so dejected? You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master.” – Genesis 4:7

When God placed Adam in the garden with the tree of life and the tree of knowledge of good & evil, the opportunity to sin was created. God blessed Adam generously but asked for obedience in this one area – do not eat of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good & evil. Disobedience would mean death.

God surrounded Adam with beautiful trees that produced delicious fruit (2:9). He gave him a job to do. Now that he is done naming all of the animals, God gives him the responsibility of tending the garden and watching over it (2:15). So God made it clear – this is what I want you to do and this is what I do not want you to do. Tend and watch over the garden but do not eat of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good & evil. The opportunity to sin existed but God had fully equipped Adam with everything that he needed so that he could resist sin and choose life.

God saw that Adam had one more unmet need, the need for intimate companionship. God took one of Adam’s ribs and created from the rib a woman – Eve (2:22). There was now something missing from Adam that could be completed when united with his wife. This union was a beautiful thing, a gift from God, yet another opportunity to sin if not used the way God intended.

So Adam & Eve had a choice – to do what is right or to refuse to do what is right. Sin was crouching nearby, just waiting for the opportunity to control Adam & Eve. The serpent convinced Eve that there was something missing from her life, something God was withholding from her through His rules of right and wrong. Eve had a choice and chose to be deceived by the beauty of the tree’s fruit and the desire for wisdom independent from God. She ate of the fruit. Adam watched all of this occur (3:6) and joined her in doing what they had specifically been commanded not to do.

At that moment their eyes were opened and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness (3:7a).

And with shame came blame. When confronted with their sin, Adam blamed Eve and Eve blamed the serpent. Their response was essentially – it’s not my fault! No one was willing to take responsibility for their actions.

Their son, Cain, played the same blame game after killing his brother in a jealous response to Abel’s choice to do what was right. God warned Cain that his anger was inviting sin to come and control him. He commanded Cain to subdue the sinful anger and stay in control, but Cain chose to wrap himself in self-pity and anger. When asked where his brother was, Cain basically responded – it’s not my responsibility!

Cain was given the choice to do what was right or to refuse to do what was right. He chose the latter and God punished him for his sins. When confronted with his sin, Cain could have chosen repentance and confession. His response was instead (4:13-14) – it’s not fair!

Do these responses sound familiar? We continue to hear them today, sometimes from other people and sometimes coming from our own mouth. It’s not my fault! It’s not my responsibility! It’s not fair! God’s response remains the same. He warns us – Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. He advises us – Subdue sin and be its master rather than letting it master you. God makes it clear, just as He did for Adam. This is what I want you to do and this is what I do not want you to do. We have the same choice Cain did. We can do what is right or we can refuse to do what is right.

“Why are you so angry?” the Lord asked Cain. “Why do you look so dejected? You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master.” – Genesis 4:7

Lord, we ask for wisdom today – Your wisdom. Give us eyes to see sin crouching near us. May your Spirit be a reminder and the source of strength to choose what is right. Reveal in us any sinful responses such as – It’s not my fault! It’s not my responsibility! It’s not fair! Father, we look to you and we place this day in your capable hands. Amen.