A cycle of sin
Read Genesis 20:2
The poison of impurity
Read Genesis19:1
When God paid His visit to Sodom and Gomorrah, these twin cities controlled a lush, fertile valley through which ran the Jordan River. These two population centres were the economic hub for everyone living at the southern end of this valley, and their wealth probably contributed to the beauty of their architecture and art. Still, their immorality had become notorious, even among pagan, idol-worshipping communities outside the valley. A thin veneer of beauty shielded the uninformed eye from the cities’ true natures.
The secret to prayer
Read Genesis18:20, 23-24
Like many people, I approached prayer simplistically when I first learned how to pray. Ask God for what you want. If you ask Him correctly or impress Himsufficiently, He just might grant your request. Or not. Who really knows? But as I learned more about prayer, I discovered that much of my thinking had been clouded by misunderstandings prevalent in popular culture.
Going deep
Read Genesis 17:2
Nearly 25 years had passed since the Lord first spoke to Abram in Ur. Since then, his spiritual roots had pushed deep into the soil of faith in his God. At long last, he trusted in the Lord’s promise and rested in His sovereign will. He was now capable of receiving the covenant blessings.
The almighty one
Read Genesis 17:1
Thirteen years passed, and Abram didn’t hear anything from God. There was no vision. There was no voice. There was no visit. Only silence. Try to imagine: complete silence on God’s part for 13 years.
Waiting
Read Genesis 16:2
Navigating without a map
Read Genesis 13:10, 12-13
When Lot was making a decision about which land to choose, he didn’t consider God as a factor in shaping his future. He made all his calculations based upon the potential influences of nature and humanity, never considering that God might alter the world on his behalf. He looked in the Jordan River Valley and saw only lush, green vegetation for his flocks and rich, wholesome soil for his crops.
Prosperity
Read Genesis 13:8-9
Most of us rise to meet adversity with our best character. However, our true character comes out when things go really well. It’s easy to become arrogant, self-sustaining, conceited, greedy, and condescending at such times.
Reflecting God
Read Genesis 12:18-20
Abram lied to Pharaoh to save his own skin, telling him that Sarai was his sister. In doing so, he put her in jeopardy. But where he failed to protect his wife, theLord overwhelmingly succeeded in doing so. He afflicted Pharaoh and his household with plagues (see Genesis 12:17).
Put to the test
Read Genesis 12:10-13
For Abram, this season of hunger represented a major test. While God didn’t cause the famine, He certainly used it as an instrument in the development of Abram’s faith.
You can expect more than one divine test in your own faith journey, but God doesn’t use difficult circumstances to find out what we’ll do. He already knows us better than we know ourselves. He uses tests to reveal us to ourselves! He often uses a test to show us where we need improvement.