God’s Guiding Word: Promise

June 5

Introduction

Genesis 18:1–15: The LORD appears to Abraham, and Abraham is told by his three visitors that he and Sarah will have a son.

Today’s Key Verse: Genesis 18:14

[The LORD said]: “Is anything too hard for the LORD? As I said, nine months from now I will return, and Sarah will have a son.”

Reading

18 The Lord appeared to Abraham at the sacred trees of Mamre. As Abraham was sitting at the entrance of his tent during the hottest part of the day, ² he looked up and saw three men standing there. As soon as he saw them, he ran out to meet them. Bowing down with his face touching the ground, ³ he said, “Sirs, please do not pass by my home without stopping; I am here to serve you. ⁴ Let me bring some water for you to wash your feet; you can rest here beneath this tree. ⁵ I will also bring a bit of food; it will give you strength to continue your journey. You have honored me by coming to my home, so let me serve you.”

They replied, “Thank you; we accept.”

⁶ Abraham hurried into the tent and said to Sarah, “Quick, take a sack of your best flour, and bake some bread.” ⁷ Then he ran to the herd and picked out a calf that was tender and fat, and gave it to a servant, who hurried to get it ready. ⁸ He took some cream, some milk, and the meat, and set the food before the men. There under the tree he served them himself, and they ate.

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

“She is there in the tent,” he answered.

¹⁰ One of them said, “Nine months from now I will come back, and your wife Sarah will have a son.”

Sarah was behind him, at the door of the tent, listening. ¹¹ Abraham and Sarah were very old, and Sarah had stopped having her monthly periods. ¹² So Sarah laughed to herself and said, “Now that I am old and worn out, can I still enjoy sex? And besides, my husband is old too.”

¹³ Then the Lord asked Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Can I really have a child when I am so old?’ ¹⁴ Is anything too hard for the Lord? As I said, nine months from now I will return, and Sarah will have a son.”

¹⁵ Because Sarah was afraid, she denied it. “I didn’t laugh,” she said.

“Yes, you did,” he replied. “You laughed.”

Reflect

How does Abraham show hospitality to the three visitors? Why does Sarah laugh when she overhears what is told to Abraham? Recall yesterday’s reading (Genesis 17:17) when Abraham also laughs when God says that he and Sarah will have a son. We read today in verse 14, “Is anything too hard for the LORD?” Have you ever experienced God’s intervention when faced with a situation that seemed impossible to endure or overcome? What was the outcome?

Pray

God of all possibilities, nothing is too hard or impossible for you. Strengthen my faith, and when trials come my way, remind me to place my trust in you. In your holy name, I pray. Amen.

Tomorrow’s Reading

Genesis 21:1–21: Isaac is born to Abraham and Sarah.