4) Hospitality- Another unforgettable event in Abraham’s life is the day, unknown to him, he was visited by the Lord Himself in the guise of three strangers. When Abraham sighted them from afar, he instantly hastened from the entrance of his tent to welcome them and entreated them to stop by his tent. Offering water to wash their weary feet, he urged them to rest under the mighty oaks of Mamre. Meanwhile, he hurried to instruct his wife Sarah to prepare a delicious meal after having handpicked a choice, tender calf for the guests. And as they ate, he waited on them to cater to their needs (Genesis 18).On that day Abraham received the dearest blessing of his life; a blessing which he had yearned and waited, for several years- The gift of a child!!

​

Genesis 18:9-10 they said to him, “Where is your wife Sarah?” And he said, “There, in the tent.”  Then one said, “I will surely return to you in due season, and your wife Sarah shall have a son.”

​

Reflection: What would be our attitude, my dear brothers and sisters, if we had been in Abraham’s place? Our mind would be churning with a thousand justifications and countless ‘what if’s’ of avoiding any possible inconvenience. How many of us would have left behind our comfort zones to minister to real strangers and that too at the hottest time of the day? Abraham has truly given us a praiseworthy example of hospitality!!!

Hebrews 13:1 Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.

​

5) Faith– But the fiercest time of testing in Abraham’s life was the moment when God commanded him to sacrifice his son Isaac, born to him after years of waiting, who was to be the heir to God’s promises (17:21). Then God said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.” (Genesis 22:2)

Here the Bible specifically mentions the words-God tested him (Genesis 22:1). It was undoubtedly the most challenging of all the tests Abraham must have ever encountered. Despite his immense grief, Abraham rose early the next morning to fulfill God’s command. He undertook the agonizing journey with Isaac to Mount Moriah and bound him to the altar. Abraham was about to slay him when God intervened and provided a ram in his stead. Hebrews 11:17- By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son.

​

No doubt the blessing that followed the severest of tests was also exceptional. This time, God himself took an oath!!

Genesis 22:16-18 “I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.”

​

Reflection: Like Abraham, we too should live by faith in the living God. Indeed, God says, “My righteous one will live by faith, And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him” (Hebrews 10:38). Abraham believed, hoped and acted on God’s word. No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God (Romans 4:20). Abraham is a model for us making this faith journey that we need to rely on God’s promises even though they seem to defy our human reasoning and perception.

Abraham’s complete obedience to God proved his extraordinary faith. Likewise, our faith must propel us towards the requisite action as faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead (James 2:17).

 

Conclusion- Trials come unexpectedly in everyone’s’ life just as they came about in Abraham’s life. How do we react to difficult people and challenging situations? More often than not, we spend our time justifying our behavior, which is often very unchristian. At that critical moment however when we go beyond our natural inclinations and choose to do what is right in God’s eyes -that is the time of blessing!! Like Abraham, the godlier our response to the situation, the greater is the blessing that God has in store for us.

​

May we endeavor to emulate Abraham’s example by doing God’s will and strive to please him in all circumstances; extend forgiveness when God expects us to forgive, love when we are called to love, walk that extra mile to help someone in need and most importantly be obedient to his Word. Galatians 6:9 - So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up. 

With each test that we successfully overcome, God’s favor will begin to manifest in our lives. And just as Abraham was a blessing to many nations, we too, as his sons and daughters in faith; will become a source of blessing, bringing healing and liberation to those in need.

​

May these lessons from Abraham’s life inspire each one of us to face life’s trials with a godly attitude and the right spiritual disposition.

 

And may you be blessed!!!