January 7th
Today’s Reading:
Genesis 18–19
Psalm 3
Luke 7
⸻
Scripture Focus
“My Lord,” he said, “if it pleases you, stop here for a while.”
— Genesis 18:3 (NLT)
“Then the Lord said to Abraham, ‘Why did Sarah laugh? Why did she say, “Can an old woman like me have a baby?” Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return about this time next year, and Sarah will have a son.’ Sarah was afraid, so she denied it, saying, ‘I didn’t laugh.’ But the Lord said, ‘No, you did laugh.’”
— Genesis 18:13–15 (NLT)
“I have singled him out so that he will direct his sons and their families to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just. Then I will do for Abraham all that I have promised.”
— Genesis 18:19 (NLT)
“When Lot still hesitated, the angels seized his hand and the hands of his wife and two daughters and rushed them to safety outside the city, for the Lord was merciful.”
— Genesis 19:16 (NLT)
“But you, O Lord, are a shield around me;
you are my glory, the one who holds my head high.
I cried out to the Lord, and he answered me from his holy mountain.
…
Victory comes from you, O Lord.
May you bless your people.”
— Psalm 3:3–4, 8 (NLT)
⸻
Reflection
Before focusing on the main truth in this passage, it’s hard not to pause at Lot’s response in Sodom. His willingness to offer his daughters reveals how deeply a corrupt culture can distort judgment and dull discernment. Scripture does not excuse his actions—it exposes the cost of compromise. God rescues Lot not because of his righteousness in that moment, but because of His mercy.
Turning to the heart of this passage, we again see Abraham walking in discernment. He recognizes that these visitors are not ordinary men—one of them is the Lord Himself, accompanied by angels. Lot, too, discerns that these men are different. God reveals Himself to those who are attentive and walking closely with Him.
The Lord comes to Abraham with a promise that feels impossible to the human mind. A son in old age. A future that seems beyond reason. Yet Scripture never records Abraham saying it could not happen. It is Sarah who laughs—not in rebellion, but in human limitation. They are still learning who God is. Here, they encounter Him as the God of the impossible.
The Lord asks a question that reaches far beyond Sarah and into our own hearts: “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” What overwhelms us is nothing to a God who created the heavens and the earth, who formed us, and who holds all things together. Miracles are not difficult for Him—they are simply an expression of His power.
When we face situations that feel impossible, peace comes when we remember who our God is. Psalm 3 reminds us that the Lord is our shield, our glory, and the One who lifts our head. Victory belongs to Him. When our minds remain fixed on His faithfulness, fear loosens its grip, and rest replaces striving.
Lesson for Me
I am reminded that God invites me to trust Him even when His promises feel impossible. What I cannot comprehend, He already holds in His hands. Like Abraham, I am called to walk in discernment, to listen when God speaks, and to believe that nothing is too hard for Him. When fear or doubt rises, I must choose to rest my mind on who God is, not on what I see. Peace comes when I remember that the God who created all things is also personally involved in my life.
⸻
Application Questions
1.Where am I facing a situation that feels impossible right now?
2.Am I responding with trust, or allowing fear and doubt to shape my thinking?
3.What would it look like to intentionally rest my mind on God’s power and faithfulness today?
⸻
Prayer
Lord, You are the God of the impossible. Nothing is too hard for You. Forgive me for the times I allow fear, doubt, or human reasoning to overshadow Your power. Help me to trust You fully, to rest in Your promises, and to keep my mind stayed on You. Be my shield, my glory, and the One who lifts my head. I place every impossible situation into Your hands, believing that You are faithful and good. Amen.
Today’s Reading:
Genesis 18–19
Psalm 3
Luke 7
⸻
Scripture Focus
“My Lord,” he said, “if it pleases you, stop here for a while.”
— Genesis 18:3 (NLT)
“Then the Lord said to Abraham, ‘Why did Sarah laugh? Why did she say, “Can an old woman like me have a baby?” Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return about this time next year, and Sarah will have a son.’ Sarah was afraid, so she denied it, saying, ‘I didn’t laugh.’ But the Lord said, ‘No, you did laugh.’”
— Genesis 18:13–15 (NLT)
“I have singled him out so that he will direct his sons and their families to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just. Then I will do for Abraham all that I have promised.”
— Genesis 18:19 (NLT)
“When Lot still hesitated, the angels seized his hand and the hands of his wife and two daughters and rushed them to safety outside the city, for the Lord was merciful.”
— Genesis 19:16 (NLT)
“But you, O Lord, are a shield around me;
you are my glory, the one who holds my head high.
I cried out to the Lord, and he answered me from his holy mountain.
…
Victory comes from you, O Lord.
May you bless your people.”
— Psalm 3:3–4, 8 (NLT)
⸻
Reflection
Before focusing on the main truth in this passage, it’s hard not to pause at Lot’s response in Sodom. His willingness to offer his daughters reveals how deeply a corrupt culture can distort judgment and dull discernment. Scripture does not excuse his actions—it exposes the cost of compromise. God rescues Lot not because of his righteousness in that moment, but because of His mercy.
Turning to the heart of this passage, we again see Abraham walking in discernment. He recognizes that these visitors are not ordinary men—one of them is the Lord Himself, accompanied by angels. Lot, too, discerns that these men are different. God reveals Himself to those who are attentive and walking closely with Him.
The Lord comes to Abraham with a promise that feels impossible to the human mind. A son in old age. A future that seems beyond reason. Yet Scripture never records Abraham saying it could not happen. It is Sarah who laughs—not in rebellion, but in human limitation. They are still learning who God is. Here, they encounter Him as the God of the impossible.
The Lord asks a question that reaches far beyond Sarah and into our own hearts: “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” What overwhelms us is nothing to a God who created the heavens and the earth, who formed us, and who holds all things together. Miracles are not difficult for Him—they are simply an expression of His power.
When we face situations that feel impossible, peace comes when we remember who our God is. Psalm 3 reminds us that the Lord is our shield, our glory, and the One who lifts our head. Victory belongs to Him. When our minds remain fixed on His faithfulness, fear loosens its grip, and rest replaces striving.
Lesson for Me
I am reminded that God invites me to trust Him even when His promises feel impossible. What I cannot comprehend, He already holds in His hands. Like Abraham, I am called to walk in discernment, to listen when God speaks, and to believe that nothing is too hard for Him. When fear or doubt rises, I must choose to rest my mind on who God is, not on what I see. Peace comes when I remember that the God who created all things is also personally involved in my life.
⸻
Application Questions
1.Where am I facing a situation that feels impossible right now?
2.Am I responding with trust, or allowing fear and doubt to shape my thinking?
3.What would it look like to intentionally rest my mind on God’s power and faithfulness today?
⸻
Prayer
Lord, You are the God of the impossible. Nothing is too hard for You. Forgive me for the times I allow fear, doubt, or human reasoning to overshadow Your power. Help me to trust You fully, to rest in Your promises, and to keep my mind stayed on You. Be my shield, my glory, and the One who lifts my head. I place every impossible situation into Your hands, believing that You are faithful and good. Amen.
Luke 7 —
Luke chapter 7 reveals Jesus as the Lord who responds to faith, compassion, and humility. He heals a centurion’s servant without ever entering the home, raises a widow’s only son out of deep compassion, and affirms John the Baptist’s calling. The chapter ends with a powerful contrast: a sinful woman who humbly pours out love and repentance at Jesus’ feet, and religious leaders who remain unmoved. Faith, not status, is what moves the heart of God.
⸻
Lessons from Luke 7
•Jesus is not limited by distance, position, or circumstance—His authority is complete.
•Faith that trusts Jesus’ word is deeply pleasing to Him.
•Jesus is moved by compassion for human suffering and intervenes with power and mercy.
•Those who understand how much they’ve been forgiven respond with deep love and worship.
•Pride and self-righteousness can keep a heart from truly seeing Jesus.
⸻
Application
•Am I trusting Jesus’ authority even when the situation feels beyond my control?
•Do I approach Jesus with humility, recognizing my deep need for His grace?
•Is my love for Jesus growing out of gratitude for how much He has forgiven me?
•Am I responding to Jesus with faith and worship, or with guarded distance?
Luke chapter 7 reveals Jesus as the Lord who responds to faith, compassion, and humility. He heals a centurion’s servant without ever entering the home, raises a widow’s only son out of deep compassion, and affirms John the Baptist’s calling. The chapter ends with a powerful contrast: a sinful woman who humbly pours out love and repentance at Jesus’ feet, and religious leaders who remain unmoved. Faith, not status, is what moves the heart of God.
⸻
Lessons from Luke 7
•Jesus is not limited by distance, position, or circumstance—His authority is complete.
•Faith that trusts Jesus’ word is deeply pleasing to Him.
•Jesus is moved by compassion for human suffering and intervenes with power and mercy.
•Those who understand how much they’ve been forgiven respond with deep love and worship.
•Pride and self-righteousness can keep a heart from truly seeing Jesus.
⸻
Application
•Am I trusting Jesus’ authority even when the situation feels beyond my control?
•Do I approach Jesus with humility, recognizing my deep need for His grace?
•Is my love for Jesus growing out of gratitude for how much He has forgiven me?
•Am I responding to Jesus with faith and worship, or with guarded distance?