Week 2 Friday
Abraham welcomes strangers and intercedes boldly for others, David wrestles with why the wicked seem to flourish, and Jesus calls His first disciples and begins healing in ways that leave everyone astonished.
Genesis 18
📖 What are we reading? Three visitors arrive at Abraham's tent - and his warm hospitality echoes what Hebrews 13:2 says about entertaining angels. God reveals to Abraham that Sarah will finally bear a son. Later, Abraham intercedes boldly with God for the people of Sodom.
✞ What does this passage say about God? Verse 14 is worth holding onto: "Is anything too hard for the Lord?" God keeps His impossible promises - and He welcomes the prayers of His people, even bold, persistent ones.
🛐 How does this passage teach us to live? Abraham's generous hospitality and his willingness to pray persistently for others are two beautiful examples to follow. Who in your life needs you to intercede for them today?
Looking for some extra info?
➡️ The bigger picture: Genesis, meaning "beginnings", was written by Moses around 1400 BC, and covers the story of creation, the fall, and the origins of God's chosen people, Israel.
🎤 A sermon by Luke on Abraham entertaining his guests.
🎤 A sermon by Luke on Abraham interceding.
Psalm 10
📖 What are we reading? David voices a frustration many of us feel - why do the wicked seem to get away with it? He pours out his complaint honestly, but ends the psalm certain that God does care for the downtrodden and will act.
✞ What does this passage say about God? He is not blind to wickedness. He hears the cries of the afflicted and will act. David's descriptions of God in this psalm are worth holding onto closely.
🛐 How does this passage teach us to live? It is entirely honest and biblical to bring our frustrations about injustice to God. The key is to end where David ends - with trust that God sees, and God acts.
Looking for some extra info?
➡️ The bigger picture: The Psalms is a collection of 150 poems and songs, written by David and others, expressing the full range of human emotion in response to God and to life.
Luke 5:1-26
📖 What are we reading? Jesus calls His first disciples with a miraculous catch of fish, heals a man with leprosy, and then heals a paralysed man lowered through a roof by his friends - using the moment to make a stunning claim about His authority to forgive sins.
✞ What does this passage say about God? Jesus is willing to touch the untouchable and forgive the unforgivable. His power and compassion are on full display - and the religious leaders' hostility begins to surface.
🛐 How does this passage teach us to live? Peter's response to the miraculous catch - "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!" - is the right response to an encounter with Jesus. And the faith of the friends who lowered the paralysed man through the roof is a wonderful picture of what it means to bring others to Jesus.
Looking for some extra info?
➡️ The bigger picture: Luke's Gospel was written by Luke, a Greek physician and companion of Paul, around AD 60-62. It is the most detailed account of Jesus' life, and is especially attentive to the poor, to women, and to outcasts.
📝 A devotional by Luke on Peter following Jesus.
📝 A devotional by Luke on the healed leper.
📝 A devotional by Luke on the paralysed man.
A Prayer for the Day
🙏 Lord, nothing is too hard for You. Thank You that You hear our honest prayers, that You see injustice, and that You are willing to touch and forgive even the most broken among us. Give us the faith to bring others to Your feet - and the humility of Peter when we get there. Amen.
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