Tuesdays with Abraham

Read Genesis 25:16-18 – These were the sons of Ishmael and these were their names, by their towns and their settlements, twelve princes according to their nations. These were the years of the life of Ishmael: one hundred and thirty-seven years; and he breathed his last and died, and was gathered to his people. (They dwelt from Havilah as far as Shur, which is east of Egypt as you go toward Assyria.) He died in the presence of all his brethren. (NKJV)

The final paragraphs of Abraham’s journey record the descendants he accumulated from wives other than Sarah. Early in this chapter, the sons of a wife he took after Sarah’s death are listed. Many of them became founders of great nations. Here, the sons of Ishmael, Hagar’s son, receive mention. The circumstances surrounding Ishmael’s birth were filled with conflict. Many translations render “in the presence of” in that last phrase as “in hostility with”. Perhaps those wounds never healed. But whatever the cause of their bitterness, it continued into the next generation. Some would argue that it exists even today as seen in the conflict that perpetually entangles the Middle East. The difference between the two lists is striking. One grows blessed and cared for while the other stirs conflict. One clearly sees that the circumstances of one’s birth aren’t nearly as critical as the way one chooses to respond. Ishmael’s sons perpetuated conflict and it marked them forever. That’s the price of bitterness and unforgiveness.

– Dr. Mike Clarensau serves as Senior Director of the Healthy Church Network of the Assemblies of God.

Tuesdays with Abraham

Read Genesis 24:32-33 – Then the man came to the house. And he unloaded the camels, and provided straw and feed for the camels, and water to wash his feet and the feet of the men who were with him. Food was set before him to eat, but he said, “I will not eat until I have told about my errand.” And he said, “Speak on.” (NKJV)

In a world where we can be bombarded by images and attractions from a thousand different directions, focus can be difficult to achieve. It’s easy to be distracted. We even have categorized the learning difficulties associated with our distractions into labels like ADD, ADHD and so on. Clearly, our visual world has come with a price. But focus remains critical. Often our ability to achieve the right goals is completely dependent on our capacity to focus. In this story, Abraham’s servant demonstrates focus. Though he is surrounded by the wealth and hospitality Rebekah’s family offers, he won’t engage these benefits until he fulfills his assignment. That determination proves valuable later as her family seeks to delay his departure with their daughter. Focus may be a dying art, but it remains a critical component for those who will live effectively.

– Dr. Mike Clarensau serves as Senior Director of the Healthy Church Network of the Assemblies of God.

Tuesdays with Abraham

Read Genesis 24:26-28 – Then the man bowed down his head and worshiped the Lord. And he said, “Blessed be the Lord God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken His mercy and His truth toward my master. As for me, being on the way, the Lord led me to the house of my master’s brethren.” So the young woman ran and told her mother’s household these things. (NKJV)

The mission has been remarkably successful. Abraham’s servant has found a potential wife for Isaac from among Abraham’s people, just as his master had requested. Now the servant reflects on these results and gives thanks to God for leading him. What a great lesson for us! It seems easy to move so quickly from one challenge to the next that we fail to take time to reflect on how God has guided and helped us in each moment. Like the nine lepers who failed to join the tenth in thanking Jesus for their healing, we move rapidly forward. The result is not only an under-developed gratitude, but we also fail to allow God’s work in our lives to fully develop our faith. God designed your memory to be a great asset to your spiritual growth.

– Dr. Mike Clarensau serves as Senior Director of the Healthy Church Network of the Assemblies of God.

Tuesdays with Abraham

Read Genesis 24:13-18 – Behold, here I stand by the well of water, and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water. Now let it be that the young woman to whom I say, ‘Please let down your pitcher that I may drink,’ and she says, ‘Drink, and I will also give your camels a drink’—let her be the one You have appointed for Your servant Isaac. And by this I will know that You have shown kindness to my master.” And it happened, before he had finished speaking, that behold, Rebekah, who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham’s brother, came out with her pitcher on her shoulder. Now the young woman was very beautiful to behold, a virgin; no man had known her. And she went down to the well, filled her pitcher, and came up. And the servant ran to meet her and said, “Please let me drink a little water from your pitcher.” So she said, “Drink, my lord.” Then she quickly let her pitcher down to her hand, and gave him a drink. (NKJV)

Isn’t it amazing how God demonstrates interest in the details of our daily lives? Here, Abraham’s servant makes a very specific request of God as he tries to serve his master well—and God delivers! In our pride, we can easily forget the miracle of God’s interest and intervention in our lives. But when we remember that we are among the more than 20 billion who’ve lived in this planet’s history, the fact that God sees us and cares for us should cause us to praise Him and be in awe of Him all day long.

– Dr. Mike Clarensau serves as Senior Director of the Healthy Church Network of the Assemblies of God.

Tuesdays with Abraham

Read Genesis 24:5-7 – And the servant said to him, “Perhaps the woman will not be willing to follow me to this land. Must I take your son back to the land from which you came?” But Abraham said to him, “Beware that you do not take my son back there. TheLord God of heaven, who took me from my father’s house and from the land of my family, and who spoke to me and swore to me, saying, ‘To your descendants I give this land,’ He will send His angel before you, and you shall take a wife for my son from there… ” (NKJV)

While Abraham’s life was filled with uncertain steps, he knew he was on a mission. God had called him to a new place and a new future, separated from the paths of his ancestors, but when it came time for Isaac to have a wife, Abraham knew his son would need someone with the character of his family to share his journey. Do you live your life on a mission? Do you make your decisions based on where you’re going, rather than simply where you’re at? I’ve frequently told my sons to find your path and then find your friends on that path. Don’t let important decisions be the product of temporary places, but live purposely with determination. Abraham knew that Isaac would need the woman that Rebekah would become. His insistence that the servant find such a woman demonstrates Abraham’s commitment to God’s plan and his hope that Isaac would live with that same determination.

– Dr. Mike Clarensau serves as Senior Director of the Healthy Church Network of the Assemblies of God.

Tuesdays with Abraham

Read Genesis 24:1-4 – Now Abraham was old, well advanced in age; and the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things. So Abraham said to the oldest servant of his house, who ruled over all that he had, “Please, put your hand under my thigh, and I will make you swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and the God of the earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell; but you shall go to my country and to my family, and take a wife for my son Isaac.” (NKJV)

Is there any issue more critical to a healthy relationship than a shared spiritual passion? After years of working with couples as a pastor and counselor, I’ve concluded that being on the same page spiritually is absolutely essential for a strong marriage. Friendships work that way too. While I can enjoy connections with people of various backgrounds, those I have companionship with must be somewhere on the path I’m walking. In this passage, Abraham is concerned that his son finds a wife among his people. He knows that Isaac’s own faith journey will be greatly influenced by the wife he chooses. He also knows that a pagan wife would break the heart of Isaac’s mother, whom Abraham has just buried. Abraham’s instructions to his servant demonstrate how critical this mission must be. Making good relationship choices is critical for us as well. Ultimately, we will walk where our friends walk so choosing people that are on the right path is essential.

– Dr. Mike Clarensau serves as Senior Director of the Healthy Church Network of the Assemblies of God.

Tuesdays with Abraham

Read Genesis 23:1-2 – Sarah lived one hundred and twenty-seven years; these were the years of the life of Sarah. So Sarah died in Kirjath Arba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan, and Abraham came to mourn for Sarah and to weep for her. (NKJV)

Abraham is called the “father of our faith.” He is known for his amazing trust in God as the originator of the nation of Israel. But in this moment, he is Sarah’s husband and he weeps at her death. As men we wear many hats, but none touch the depth of our emotion like the “husband hat.” Sarah had been Abraham’s life-long companion. Together, they had faced ridicule for their childlessness as people assumed their God either impotent or unwilling to bless them. They had dwelt in deserts, perpetually on a journey to a land only their descendants would possess. In spite of their apparent wealth, being Abraham’s wife was never easy or comfortable. To see Abraham in this moment should remind us to be grateful for the one whom God has given or will someday give to us to share life with. We were made for relationship, and the relationship of marriage is God’s greatest earthly plan for that need.

– Dr. Mike Clarensau serves as Senior Director of the Healthy Church Network of the Assemblies of God.

Tuesdays with Abraham

Read Genesis 22:15-17 – Then the Angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time out of heaven, and said: “By Myself I have sworn, says the Lord, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son— blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies… ” (NKJV)

What are the terms of God’s blessing? For Abraham, God promises to bless him because he would not withhold even his own son. Abraham was fully submitted to God in every area of his life and God responds with the amazing promise of blessing. Be careful of those who teach that God will bless a self-focused life. God doesn’t honor those who only look out for themselves. Instead, He blesses those who are submitted to Him and give their best to others. God doesn’t honor those who seek honor for themselves. He wants to demonstrate His greatness in the lives of those who seek to honor Him. Many will gain an audience when they preach what people want to hear. Catering to self-centered desires is an easy way to popularity, but it is not the path to truth. Jesus often spoke of self-denial as the path to life. That’s hardly the appealing message many want to hear.

– Dr. Mike Clarensau serves as Senior Director of the Healthy Church Network of the Assemblies of God.

Tuesdays with Abraham

Read Genesis 22:11-12 – But the Angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” So he said, “Here I am.” And He said, “Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.” (NKJV)

Can you trust God when things don’t make sense? I’m not sure any of us can imagine Abraham’s thoughts as he lifted the knife. How does this make sense? How can I possibly sacrifice my son? How can I explain this to his mother? Yet, in spite of all the objections he must have felt in his heart, Abraham trusted God enough that God called out from heaven to stop him at the last possible moment... the last possible moment. Have you noticed that God often responds at the last possible moment? Some people say that God is never late, but He’s never early either. While the word “never” is too strong, the point is clear. God allows our faith to carry us right to the point of failure or lost hope or the edge of disappointment, likely to see if we trust Him fully. Only then does God respond with the answer we wish He’d sent sooner. But as in Abraham, God seeks to reveal something in us that’s truly critical. Will we trust Him fully? That is something to think about while we wait for an answer from God.

– Dr. Mike Clarensau serves as Senior Director of the Healthy Church Network of the Assemblies of God.

Tuesdays with Abraham

Read Genesis 22:6-8 – So Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife, and the two of them went together. But Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” Then he said, “Look, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” And Abraham said, “My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering.” So the two of them went together. (NKJV)

It’s hard for us to know what Abraham knew or was expecting as this remarkable moment unfolds. Some want to believe that his words “God will provide” indicate that he didn’t think God would ask him to kill his son. But that would ruin the point of the story. Abraham ultimately raised the knife with sincere intent to be obedient, but his words tell us something about his faith in God. Abraham couldn’t have grasped why God would ask such a thing. Frankly, we can’t fully understand it either. But Abraham trusted God. You see, that’s the real point here. Abraham didn’t know how the story would end, but he trusted God enough to stay on course with his Lord’s command. That’s what faith is—not having the answers, but still walking in obedience.

– Dr. Mike Clarensau serves as Senior Director of the Healthy Church Network of the Assemblies of God.

Tuesdays with Abraham

Read Genesis 22:3-5 – So Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son; and he split the wood for the burnt offering, and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. Then on the third day Abraham lifted his eyes and saw the place afar off. And Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; the lad and I will go yonder and worship, and we will come back to you.” (NKJV)

What’s it like to really follow God? Walking by faith means many days where you don’t understand what God is doing and don’t know how to interpret what’s happening around you. It’s not a walk of confidence or certainty, but a series of obedient steps down a road you can’t anticipate. You see, faith only matters in the dark. When we understand our days and our circumstances, faith isn’t necessary. We let common sense guide us. But when we are asked to trust God, He doesn’t reveal full plans or the final drawings of what He is building in us. Like Abraham, we take the steps He shows us and we trust Him when the road is uncertain.

– Dr. Mike Clarensau serves as Senior Director of the Healthy Church Network of the Assemblies of God.

Tuesdays with Abraham

Read Genesis 22:1-2 – Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.”Then He said, “Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” (NKJV)

The word “test” sounds frightening no matter who says it. But when the test is coming from God, that seems particularly intimidating, doesn’t it? But that’s what’s ahead for Abraham. Most of us know the story. Abraham will be called on to sacrifice his son—a test that ends happily as we will see in future weeks. But the idea that God gives us tests isn’t something we’re often prepared to face. We want to think of God as our Provider and our Forgiver, not as the One who calls us to the exam room. Still, the fact that He tests us shows that He has a plan for our lives—that He’s not just a bystander waiting to give us what we think we need. He has a purpose in what we become, and He tests us to help encourage us and measure our progress toward goals greater than we can know.

– Dr. Mike Clarensau serves as Senior Director of the Healthy Church Network of the Assemblies of God.

Tuesdays with Abraham

Read Genesis 21:22-24 – And it came to pass at that time that Abimelech and Phichol, the commander of his army, spoke to Abraham, saying, “God is with you in all that you do. Now therefore, swear to me by God that you will not deal falsely with me, with my offspring, or with my posterity; but that according to the kindness that I have done to you, you will do to me and to the land in which you have dwelt.” And Abraham said, “I will swear.” (NKJV)

Given the somewhat barbaric ways that the wealthy and powerful solved their property differences in the Ancient Middle East, Abimelech and Abraham’s covenant offers a striking contrast. These two mighty leaders find a way to get along in spite of their many differences. What does Abimelech want? Trust. He wants Abraham to deal fairly with him and he will respond in kind. After Abraham’s deception a few years before, Abimelech doesn’t want any uncertainties. Perhaps this story is proof that you can get along with anyone who is willing to respond in honesty. Even if you are from very different backgrounds and headed to very different futures, an attitude of mutual respect can make relationships work.

– Dr. Mike Clarensau serves as Senior Director of the Healthy Church Network of the Assemblies of God.

Tuesdays with Abraham

Read Genesis 21:17-20 – And God heard the voice of the lad. Then the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said to her, “What ails you, Hagar? Fear not, for God has heard the voice of the lad where he is. Arise, lift up the lad and hold him with your hand, for I will make him a great nation.” Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. And she went and filled the skin with water, and gave the lad a drink. So God was with the lad; and he grew and dwelt in the wilderness, and became an archer. (NKJV)

Each of us should spend a whole day reflecting on God’s mercy in our lives. Indeed, God extends grace to us that is so far beyond anything we could ever deserve. In this part of Abraham’s story, he finds himself trapped in one of his mistakes. When he and Sarah struggled to trust God for their future son, they plotted their own heir and Ishmael was the result. But once God answered with Isaac, Ishmael was a liability around the house. Sarah wanted him (and his mother) gone, and Abraham was trapped between responsibility for this son and the promise of God now fulfilled. As Abraham sends Hagar and Ishmael away, God promises to care for the boy and gives him a strong future. Why? Because Abraham is deserving of this? No. God blesses Abraham’s Plan B because God is merciful and doesn’t discard us when we stumble.

– Dr. Mike Clarensau serves as Senior Director of the Healthy Church Network of the Assemblies of God.

Tuesdays with Abraham

Read Genesis 21:5-8 – Now Abraham was one hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him. And Sarah said, “God has made me laugh, and all who hear will laugh with me.” She also said, “Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? For I have borne him a son in his old age.” So the child grew and was weaned. And Abraham made a great feast on the same day that Isaac was weaned. (NKJV)

Have you ever had one of those “who would have guessed” moments in your life? You know, when God does something so remarkable that you can’t stifle the smile every time you think about it? Certainly the miracle birth of Isaac would top the charts of most lives, but God has a way of doing extraordinary things in each of our lives. Unfortunately, our needs can escalate to the point that we forget the goodness God showed us yesterday. That’s why it’s essential to our faith and emotional well-being to rehearse the remarkable goodness of God in our lives. We can find great strength and hope by revisiting the moments where God showed his great mercy and love. Frankly, such reflection is a big part of what praise is all about. God has been and is good. We must celebrate that reality.

– Dr. Mike Clarensau serves as Senior Director of the Healthy Church Network of the Assemblies of God.

Tuesdays with Abraham

Read Genesis 21:1-3 – And the Lord visited Sarah as He had said, and the Lord did for Sarah as He had spoken. For Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him. And Abraham called the name of his son who was born to him—whom Sarah bore to him—Isaac. (NKJV)

God fulfills His promises. About the time many of us are ready to give up hope in our frustration, God shows His faithfulness. Here, Abraham and Sarah finally have the promised son. Hard to imagine how deep that celebration must have been. But how often do we miss God’s answer because we let go of our long held question? We give up hope, not realizing that we are only a few steps from fulfillment and we never receive what God had always intended to bring. The point… Never let go of the promises of God. Years ago I remember an old man testifying that his son had returned after more than three decades of running from his family and God. Three decades! That’s a long time to hold onto hope, but the man and his wife never gave up, never stopped praying and the joy in his heart spilled over onto everyone he encountered. God is faithful—He only asks that we trust Him.

– Dr. Mike Clarensau serves as Senior Director of the Healthy Church Network of the Assemblies of God.

Tuesdays with Abraham

Read Genesis 20:9-11 – And Abimelech called Abraham and said to him, “What have you done to us? How have I offended you, that you have brought on me and on my kingdom a great sin? You have done deeds to me that ought not to be done.” Then Abimelech said to Abraham, “What did you have in view, that you have done this thing?” And Abraham said, “Because I thought, surely the fear of God is not in this place; and they will kill me on account of my wife. (NKJV)

Sorting out the “whys” and the “should haves” in Abraham’s behavior in this passage is difficult indeed. But one thing is clear. Abraham’s choices were driven by fear. He thought Abimelech would deal treacherously with him and he responded with his own scheme—one that was devastating to Abimelech’s household. Fear leads us to many flawed choices. Like Abraham, we can allow fear to drive us to treat others as though they are evil, even if they are not. Here Abimelech proves to be an honest man, but Abraham has treated him otherwise. Fortunately, this regional king responds in a way that can heal the current rift. How do our fears cause us to treat others? Do we see darkness and negative intent because of what is occurring within us? In life, we often get what we expect of others, so it’s usually more beneficial to believe the best about people and trust God to protect us from their worst.

– Dr. Mike Clarensau serves as Senior Director of the Healthy Church Network of the Assemblies of God.

Tuesdays with Abraham

Read Genesis 20:2-6 – Now Abraham said of Sarah his wife, “She is my sister.” And Abimelech king of Gerar sent and took Sarah. But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, “Indeed you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is a man’s wife.” But Abimelech had not come near her; and he said, “Lord, will You slay a righteous nation also? Did he not say to me, ‘She is my sister’? And she, even she herself said, ‘He is my brother.’ In the integrity of my heart and innocence of my hands I have done this.” And God said to him in a dream, “Yes, I know that you did this in the integrity of your heart. For I also withheld you from sinning against Me; therefore I did not let you touch her. …” (NKJV)

Of all the passages covering Abraham’s life, this is certainly one of the more difficult to understand. Here Abraham has lied to protect himself, put Sarah in a dangerous position, and compromised his standing with the leader of the land. Good idea? God’s will? Seems highly doubtful. What is certain in this passage is the impact of lies. Technically, Sarah is a half-sister to Abraham, but Abraham has hardly been truthful with Abimelech. And the result places both Abimelech and Sarah in places they don’t want to be. Being less than truthful can do the same to those around us. We may survive a moment, but our dishonesty can easily create an uncertain world for those we love.

– Dr. Mike Clarensau serves as Senior Director of the Healthy Church Network of the Assemblies of God.

Tuesdays with Abraham

Read Genesis 19:27-29 – And Abraham went early in the morning to the place where he had stood before the Lord.Then he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the plain; and he saw, and behold, the smoke of the land which went up like the smoke of a furnace.  And it came to pass, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when He overthrew the cities in which Lot had dwelt. (NKJV)

What do you suppose Abraham felt as he saw smoke rising from Sodom? Maybe a better question would be, “How do we feel when people get what they deserve?” Yes, God had rescued Lot so any anxiety Abraham might feel for his nephew would be answered with relief. But what about the guilty? Scripture is silent concerning Abraham’s response. Now there’s no question that God is righteous in His judgments. When we get what we deserve, well…we deserve it. But when we remember that our eternal hope is founded in a grace we could never deserve, shouldn’t we be quick to extend that same grace in our attitudes and actions toward other guilty ones? Many Christians celebrate the downfall of those whose life choices cross the line. Shouldn’t we celebrate grace instead and realize that the smoke rising above the enemy could just as easily be rising above us?

– Dr. Mike Clarensau serves as Senior Director of the Healthy Church Network of the Assemblies of God.

Tuesdays with Abraham

Read Genesis 19:18-22 – Then Lot said to them, “Please, no, my lords! Indeed now, your servant has found favor in your sight, and you have increased your mercy which you have shown me by saving my life; but I cannot escape to the mountains, lest some evil overtake me and I die. See now, this city is near enough to flee to, and it is a little one; please let me escape there (is it not a little one?) and my soul shall live.” And he said to him, “See, I have favored you concerning this thing also, in that I will not overthrow this city for which you have spoken. Hurry, escape there. For I cannot do anything until you arrive there.” Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar. (NKJV)

Lot’s rescue encounters a roadblock. He can’t run to where the Angel of the Lord directs him. He simply doesn’t have the strength. So an easier path is chosen for him. Years before, when Abraham and Lot parted ways, Lot chose the easier land. He didn’t want to tackle the mountain country, but preferred instead the well-watered plains. His choice aimed him toward Sodom and a path from which he now needs rescue. But his choice also seems to have established a pattern. If it’s not easy, Lot can’t do it. We would do well to note this lesson. If we’re always looking for the easiest road, we will soon become unable to handle anything more difficult.

– Dr. Mike Clarensau serves as Senior Director of the Healthy Church Network of the Assemblies of God.