Daily Reading: Genesis 23
Scripture Focus: Hear us, my lord; you are a prince of God among us. (Genesis 23.6)
Devotional Thought: Have you ever known somebody whose presence just seemed to brighten up the room? Of course, my grandchildren do that, but my mind also went to others who seem to take the blessing and peace of God with them wherever they go. There's just something special about them.
In Genesis 23, the people of Abimilech recognized something special about Abraham: he was as "a prince of God among us." Abraham's presence meant blessing and prosperity to all those in that region. They didn't want him to leave. And, when it came time for Abraham to bury his wife Sarah, they offered to give him a burial plot without cost. They really wanted to ensure that he would remain among them.
I once had an old preacher (Hey, I'm one of those now!) tell me, "Go where the people don't want you, and stay until they don't want you to leave." What is the secret of doing that? Being a "prince of God among them." Like Abraham I want to bring the blessing of God wherever I go. I want to bring love. I want to bring laughter. I want to bring peace. I want to bring freedom.
God has promised that he would bless the world through us. Are we willing participants in that blessing? Are you and I "princes and princesses of God among the people"? Do people want to be around us? Is the atmosphere lifted when we are present? Is God evident when we are on the scene? "Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 5.16).
Prayer: Thank you, O Lord, that you have made your light shine upon us. Help us, O Father, to so live that our lives will shine forth with your glory that we may be princes and princesses of God among those who need your hope and light. Amen.
Psalm of the Day: 1 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. 2 Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. 3 There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. 4 Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun, 5 which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy. 6 Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them, and there is nothing hidden from its heat. (Psalms 19:1-6)
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