QT 9/5/2025 Gen 18:1-8, Living life for others and not self

Genesis 18:1–8 (ESV) —

1 And the Lord appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day. 2 He lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing in front of him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth 3 and said, “O Lord, if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by your servant. 4 Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree, 5 while I bring a morsel of 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 went quickly into the tent to Sarah and said, “Quick! Three seahs of fine flour! Knead it, and make cakes.” 7 And Abraham ran to the herd and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to a young man, who prepared it quickly. 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.

 

NOTE: Abraham is resting in the heat of the day. It was very typical to rest in the heat of the day because it was so hot. And yet, Abraham jumps up, and literally runs to each of the persons to get a meal going. He then stands by alertly while the men eat the meal.

 

What is instructional is what Abraham did not do. He did not complain that he was resting. He did not say "wait until after my nap." As a more pertinent example, He did not say "I am retired, I worked hard in my life and now it is my time to relax." He did not say "I deserve this time to take vacations and just enjoy life." Obviously, I am taking a little license with the passage, but I hear these things a lot. Technically, retirement is a modern day phenomena. God did create rest and work, but God did not create retirement. Our retirement home is a mansion in heaven being prepared for us. We were created to work and minister. We were created to rest as well, but not full-time.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I use my stage in life as an excuse not to work or minister?
2. Sometimes rest is very important, but do I always use my rest (or my hobby) as an excuse not to serve others?

 

PRAYER: Father, help me to find the right balance. Thank you for the vacation with the kids. I enjoyed it. I've enjoyed the time with my wife traveling. In a few days, we will be back home, running day care for our grandchildren. Help me to be thankful and appreciative of these blessings.