Friday July 16 Devotion

[Pastor Joelle]

Genesis 18:1-10a
1 The Lord appeared to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at
the entrance of his tent in the heat of the day. 2 He looked up and
saw three men standing near him. When he saw them, he ran from the
tent entrance to meet them, and bowed down to the ground. 3 He said,
"My lord, if I find favor with you, do not pass by your servant. 4
Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves
under the tree. 5 Let me bring a little bread, that you may refresh
yourselves, and after that you may pass on—since you have come to your
servant." So they said, "Do as you have said." 6 And Abraham
hastened into the tent to Sarah, and said, "Make ready quickly three
measures of choice flour, knead it, and make cakes." 7 Abraham ran
to the herd, and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to the
servant, who hastened to prepare it. 8 Then he took curds and milk
and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before them; and he
stood by them under the tree while they ate. 9 They said to him,
"Where is your wife Sarah?" And he said, "There, in the tent." 10
Then one said, "I will surely return to you in due season, and your
wife Sarah shall have a son."

Hospitality is a matter of life and death to desert cultures.
Travelers in the heat of the day depend upon the hospitality of those
in the land through which they travel. Hospitality goes two ways.
The host provides nourishment and refreshment. The guests provide
company and conversation. Guests are a welcome break to the daily
routine.
These strangers bring more than news from other parts. They bring a
promise. Sarah will finally have the son God has promised for so
long. Abraham never imagined when he woke up and thought about his
day that he would have the opportunity to entertain guests. Certainly
he never imagined the promise that would come with that opportunity.
God’s promises are all around us. God’s surprises are all around us.
You never know when you will have the opportunity to provide
hospitality to a stranger and you never know what gift and surprise a
stranger may bring to you.

Gracious God, give us grace to open our hearts in hospitality to
others and to your promises all around us.
Amen.,