January 14--Morning
January 14—Morning "Is anything too hard for the Lord?"
Abraham here became an example of hospitality, and thereby entertained angels unawares He ran to meet the strangers, he saluted them respectfully, welcomed them heartily, and even made a favour to himself of their resting near his tent. Ungenerous spirits who never entertain either God's servants or the poor, miss many a blessing. May we never be a churlish household.
Genesis 18:8 The noble old man waited with pleasure upon the strangers. He spoke of a morsel of bread, but he made a feast. He was all kindness, goodness, and humbleness of mind: at once a true nobleman and a believer in God. Such are the fruits of elevated piety. Would to God we saw them in all professors.
Genesis 18:9 Where she should be. She was a worthy wife of her worthy husband, and therefore cheerfully aided him in providing for the guests. She was at that moment busy with household duties. We are in the way of blessing when we are in the way of duty. Abraham must have wondered how the chief one of the three strangers knew the name of his wife.
Genesis 18:12 Here was unbelief, which can express itself as much in a laugh as in a cry.
What an encouraging question is that. "Is anything too hard for the Lord?" Our family troubles, cares, and needs are not beyond the power and wisdom of our heavenly Father. Let us not despair, but in faith cast our burden upon him.
He who discerns all hearts could not be deceived. See how honest Holy Scripture is, for it records the faults even of the best of the saints; and yet how tender is the Spirit of God, for in the New Testament Sarah's fault is not mentioned, for it had been forgiven and blotted out, but the fact that she called her husband "lord" is recorded to her honour. We serve a gracious God who, when our hearts are right, commends our good fruit, and leaves the untimely figs to drop out of notice. Let us be careful not to mar the joy of his promises and his grace by any unseemly expressions or actions. It would be a sad remembrance for us amid the recollections of divine love, to have to confess that we laughed at the promise. The thing surpasses all my thought; But faithful is my Lord;
Through unbelief I stagger not, For God hath spoke the word.
Faith, mighty faith, the promise sees, And looks to that alone;
Laughs at impossibilities, And cries, "It shall be done!"