Quiet Time Coaching Episode 296
Would you like to learn more about faith? You’ve come to the right person. No, not me, Abraham. This is a daily devotional podcast supporting a teaching series for the Watford church of Christ and the Thames Valley churches of Christ called “Adventures in faith with Abraham”. It is also part of my quiet time coaching series.
What is it about Abraham which is so admirable? Many things. But perhaps above all else his adventurous faith, “By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.” (Hebrews 11:8 NIV11)
Join me as we step out on a faith adventure with Abraham.
Episode 39
Today we conclude chapter 19.
“Lot and his two daughters left Zoar and settled in the mountains, for he was afraid to stay in Zoar. He and his two daughters lived in a cave. One day the older daughter said to the younger, “Our father is old, and there is no man around here to give us children—as is the custom all over the earth. Let’s get our father to drink wine and then sleep with him and preserve our family line through our father.” That night they got their father to drink wine, and the older daughter went in and slept with him. He was not aware of it when she lay down or when she got up. The next day the older daughter said to the younger, “Last night I slept with my father. Let’s get him to drink wine again tonight, and you go in and sleep with him so we can preserve our family line through our father.” So they got their father to drink wine that night also, and the younger daughter went in and slept with him. Again he was not aware of it when she lay down or when she got up. So both of Lot’s daughters became pregnant by their father. The older daughter had a son, and she named him Moab; he is the father of the Moabites of today. The younger daughter also had a son, and she named him Ben-Ammi; he is the father of the Ammonites of today.” (Genesis 19:30–38 NIV11)
What are we seeing here? The consequences of being dominated by greed and fear.
Lot could have stayed close to Abraham but the allure of the fertile land excited his greed and he moved away. Now he lives in a cave – the home of refugees and the dead.
The mountains, a destination of safety when offered by God, are now a location of family tragedy. Lot went to Zoar out of fear, and then left Zoar out of fear, not faith.
The LORD “remembered Abraham” in verse 29 and rescued Lot. In this account there is no mention of the LORD. Lot’s daughters attempt to ‘rescue’ their future with disastrous results.
Devotional thought for today
Greed and fear are fearsome forces. We master them, or we are destroyed by them. The temptations to greed and fear drive us to God for strength, or they drive a wedge between us and our Heavenly Father.
“Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”” (Luke 12:15 NIV11)
We are all afraid from time to time. Feeling fear is not the problem – giving in to fear is. The reality is God’s love, not the disaster scenario we have concocted in our heads.
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27 NIV11)
Take your greed temptation to God. Take your fears to your Heavenly Father. He will give you the faith of Abraham and quell the fear of Lot if you let him.
Prayer point for today
Ask God to help you master your temptations to greed and fear
If you have any questions or feedback please contact me: malcolm@malcolmcox.org.
The apostle Paul said of Abraham, “He is the father of us all.” (Romans 4:16 NIV11) Let’s allow him to be the father of Faith to you and me in January and February 2021.
Many thanks for listening today. See you tomorrow as we continue our adventure of faith with Abraham.
Take care and God bless, Malcolm
