July 2, 2021 Devotion

posted by Wes Schrickel | Jul 2, 2021

Friday, July 2


Read 

Genesis 18:1-15

1 The Lord appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day. 2 Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground.


3 He said, “If I have found favor in your eyes, my lord, do not pass your servant by. 4 Let a little water be brought, and then you may all wash your feet and rest under this tree. 5 Let me get you something to eat, so you can be refreshed and then go on your way—now that you have come to your servant.”


“Very well,” they answered, “do as you say.”


6 So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah. “Quick,” he said, “get three seahs of the finest flour and knead it and bake some bread.”


7 Then he ran to the herd and selected a choice, tender calf and gave it to a servant, who hurried to prepare it. 8 He then brought some curds and milk and the calf that had been prepared, and set these before them. While they ate, he stood near them under a tree.


9 “Where is your wife Sarah?” they asked him.


“There, in the tent,” he said.


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.”


Now Sarah was listening at the entrance to the tent, which was behind him. 11 Abraham and Sarah were already very old, and Sarah was past the age of childbearing. 12 So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, “After I am worn out and my lord is old, will I now have this pleasure?”


13 Then the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really have a child, now that I am old?’ 14 Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son.”


15 Sarah was afraid, so she lied and said, “I did not laugh.”


But he said, “Yes, you did laugh.”


Reflect

This story shows how important hospitality is. Hospitality is rewarding to the person to whom it is shown, but it also blesses the one showing hospitality. Abraham didn’t have to show hospitality to the three strangers passing by his tent, but he did. He went out of his way to show these strangers incredible hospitality. Because of this, he spends time with God and is blessed with the gift of a long awaited child. Some believe these strangers are angels, others that they represent the trinity - regardless, Abraham’s hospitality brings him into contact with heaven. 


Hospitality is rewarding to the stranger and the host

It is better to give than to receive


Pray

God, give us the eyes to see the hospitality you’ve shown us, and let us give that to others in return.