R³ Devotional - Day 17

January 17th, 2025
by Jose Maldonado

R³ Devotional - Day 17 from Genesis Chapters 16-18

By: Jose Maldonado

Genesis 16: This chapter tells the story of Hagar and Ishmael. Sarai, Abram's wife, is unable to bear children and gives her Egyptian maidservant, Hagar, to Abram to conceive a child. Hagar becomes pregnant, leading to conflict. Sarai mistreats Hagar, causing her to flee. An angel of the Lord finds Hagar and tells her to return and submit to Sarai, promising that her descendants will be numerous. Hagar gives birth to Ishmael.

Genesis 17: God establishes His covenant with Abram, changing his name to Abraham, meaning "father of many nations." God also changes Sarai's name to Sarah and promises that she will bear a son, Isaac. The covenant includes the requirement of circumcision for all male descendants as a sign of the covenant.

Genesis 18: Three visitors, who are angels, come to Abraham and Sarah. They announce that Sarah will have a son within a year. Sarah laughs in disbelief because of her old age. The visitors then reveal that they are on their way to Sodom and Gomorrah to investigate the outcry against the cities. Abraham pleads with God to spare the cities if righteous people can be found there, and God agrees to spare them if ten righteous people are found, after what looked like a bargaining conversation.

In these chapters you there are many principles, applications, and action steps we can glean from. Pray, meditate on God and where you are at this stage in your life.

Real Life Principles

Trust in God's timing and promises.
Treat others with kindness and respect, regardless of their status.
God sees and cares for those who are mistreated.
God's promises are steadfast and reliable.
Obedience to God's commands is essential. There may be a cost.
God's covenant includes blessings and responsibilities.
God is faithful to His promises, no matter how improbable they seem.
Hospitality and kindness are important virtues.
Intercession and prayer can make a difference.

Real Life Applications

Be patient and wait for God's plan to unfold.
Show compassion and understanding to those around you.
Admit when you fail.
Remember that God is always watching over you, even in difficult times. DO not jump the gun.
Trust in God's promises, even when they seem impossible. Do not laugh.
Follow God's guidance and commands in your life.
Embrace the responsibilities that come with God's blessings.
Believe in God's faithfulness, even when circumstances seem unlikely.
Practice hospitality and kindness towards others. You never know who you are entertaining.
Pray and intercede for those in need, trusting that God hears your prayers.

Real Life Actions Steps

Practice patience in your daily life, especially when facing challenges. Don't listen to emotionally led advice.
Reach out to someone who may be feeling overlooked or mistreated and offer support.
Reflect on times when you felt God's presence and care in your life.
Write down a promise from God that you are holding onto and pray about it.
Identify an area in your life where you need to be more obedient to God's commands.
Take a step towards fulfilling a responsibility that comes with a blessing you have received.
Reflect on a time when God fulfilled a promise in your life and share it with someone.
Invite someone over for a meal or offer help to a neighbor in need. Be hospitable
Spend time in prayer, interceding for a specific person or situation or places.