Burunche’s Blog

Genesis 18:16 Then the men stood up from their meal and started on toward Sodom; and Abraham went with them part of the way.

17-19 “Should I hide my plan from Abraham?” God asked. “For Abraham shall become a mighty nation, and he will be a source of blessing for all the nations of the earth. And I have picked him out to have godly descendants and a godly household—men who are just and good—so that I can do for him all I have promised.”

20-21 So the Lord told Abraham, “I have heard that the people of Sodom and Gomorrah are utterly evil, and that everything they do is wicked. I am going down to see whether these reports are true or not. Then I will know.” (New King James Version says: “Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grave, I will go down now and see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry against it that has come to Me; and if not, I will know.”)

22-25 So the other two went on toward Sodom, but the Lord remained with Abraham a while. Then Abraham approached him and said, “Will you kill good and bad alike? Suppose you find fifty godly people there within the city—will you destroy it, and not spare it for their sakes? That wouldn’t be right! Surely you wouldn’t do such a thing, to kill the godly with the wicked! Why, you would be treating godly and wicked exactly the same! Surely you wouldn’t do that! Should not the Judge of all the earth be fair?”

26 And God replied, “If I find fifty godly people there, I will spare the entire city for their sake.”

27-33 Then Abraham spoke again. “Since I have begun, let me go on and speak further to the Lord, though I am but dust and ashes. Suppose there are only forty-five? Will you destroy the city for lack of five?”

And God said, “I will not destroy it if I find forty-five.”

Then Abraham went further with his request. “Suppose there are only forty?”

And God replied, “I won’t destroy it if there are forty.”

“Please don’t be angry,” Abraham pleaded. “Let me speak: suppose only thirty are found there?”

And God replied, “I won’t do it if there are thirty there.”

Then Abraham said, “Since I have dared to speak to God, let me continue—suppose there are only twenty?”

And God said, “Then I won’t destroy it for the sake of the twenty.”

Finally, Abraham said, “Oh, let not the Lord be angry; I will speak but this once more! Suppose only ten are found?”

And God said, “Then, for the sake of the ten, I won’t destroy it.”

And the Lord went on his way when he had finished his conversation with Abraham. And Abraham returned to his tent.

Abraham is terrified! When Lot, Abraham’s nephew, first moved in the direction of Sodom, Abraham tried to reason with him; however, Lot insisted that his move was the closest way to reach the verdant Jordan Valley, even though he could have diverted to the north. Lot claimed he had no intention of ever living in Sodom. Abraham had already been hearing disturbing rumors. Travelers attempting to pass the night in Sodom were bringing horror stories about the foul manner in which they had been treated, some of these men barely escaping with their lives. There were even more terrifying tales of unfortunate travelers having been raped by city leaders and their sons. Just the mention of the name “Sodom” is enough to make Abraham shudder. Now there’s a new problem.

“The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grave, I will go down now and see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry against it that has come to Me; and if not, I will know.” We read this statement and wonder. If God is all-seeing and all knowing, why does He have to visit Sodom? He already knows exactly what’s been happening. God is giving the Sodomites one last chance to prove that some of them are worth saving. As Abraham is bargaining, God already knows He won’t find ten righteous men in Sodom; Lot is the only one, and if he doesn’t leave, he might also begin copying his neighbors.

If God knows all these facts, why is He sending emissaries to Sodom? And what comfort can Abraham possibly derive from this situation? The answer to these questions is in Verse 25: “Should not the Judge of all the earth be fair?” (Other versions read: “Should not the Judge of the whole earth deal justly.”) God already knows what He must do to Sodom; however, He is allowing the men of Sodom one last chance to repent. At the same time, God doesn’t want to damage Abraham’s faith in His fairness. God wants Abraham to take comfort in the knowledge that the Judge of all the earth WILL be fair and WILL deal justly.

Abraham goes to his tent, knowing that God will act righteously but hoping that there might be ten virtuous men in Sodom. God sends his representatives to Sodom, knowing that Lot is the only righteous man left in Sodom. God’s representatives will face threats and must eventually lead Lot and his wife and daughters out of Sodom to deliver them from destruction.  

The Westminster Shorter Catechism tells us that “God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable, in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth.” Even when bad things happen to good people, we can still take comfort in the fact that God’s nature has not changed and that all His attributes remain untouched. One verse of the hymn “This is My Father’s World” states: This is my Father’s world. Oh, let me ne’er forget that though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the Ruler yet.” As people of faith, we can trust God, no matter the circumstances.

Perhaps last year was a tough year, one you feel you barely survived. Now we are entering on a new year, and you aren’t too certain about this one either. But John 10:4 tells us, “And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.” Jesus is the Good Shepherd who cares for his sheep. If you believe that Jesus died for your sins, that he conquered death and the grave, and that he rose from the dead, then you are one of those sheep. Don’t worry or hesitate! Jesus, your Good Shepherd, is bringing you out and going on before you. Follow him!

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, help us to follow hard after You, even when mists of trouble blind our eyes and cause us heart palpitations. Please send Your comfort to all who read these words. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Genesis 18:1-5 The Lord appeared again to Abraham while he was living in the oak grove at Mamre. This is the way it happened: One hot summer afternoon as he was sitting in the opening of his tent, he suddenly noticed three men coming toward him. He sprang up and ran to meet them and welcomed them.

“Sirs,” he said, “please don’t go any farther. Stop awhile and rest here in the shade of this tree while I get water to refresh your feet, and a bite to eat to strengthen you. Do stay awhile before continuing your journey.”

“All right,” they said, “do as you have said.”

6-8 Then Abraham ran back to the tent and said to Sarah, “Quick! Mix up some pancakes! Use your best flour, and make enough for the three of them!” Then he ran out to the herd and selected a fat calf and told a servant to hurry and butcher it. Soon, taking them cheese and milk and the roast veal, he set it before the men and stood beneath the trees beside them as they ate.

9 “Where is Sarah, your wife?” they asked him.

“In the tent,” Abraham replied.

10-15 Then the Lord said, “Next year I will give you and Sarah a son!” (Sarah was listening from the tent door behind him.) Now Abraham and Sarah were both very old, and Sarah was long since past the time when she could have a baby.

So Sarah laughed silently. “A woman my age have a baby?” she scoffed to herself. “And with a husband as old as mine?”

Then God 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 God? Next year, just as I told you, I will certainly see to it that Sarah has a son.”

But Sarah denied it. “I didn’t laugh,” she lied, for she was afraid.

It might be one of the greatest jokes God has ever shared with anyone. Here’s Abraham, who is still shocked that he has succeeded in fathering Ishmael. Now God is sending three angels to confirm what He has already told Abraham: Abraham and Sarah are going to become parents, and all the blessings God has promised will come through the promised son Isaac. But in the beginning, Abraham is only concerned about the advent of visitors, not about their mission.

As the patriarch of the compound, Abraham is engaged in providing for these guests. Notice that Abraham runs out to meet the visitors, even though it’s the middle of a blistering hot afternoon and Abraham is ninety-nine years old. But visitors are always welcome, and Abraham is a kind and thoughtful man. Next, observe how Abraham cares for these strangers, urging them to sit and enjoy the shade of the spreading oak tree, listening to the wind rustle through its leaves. In a land where travelers must walk over dusty rocky roads, few things are more soothing than having someone bathe one’s feet, and Abraham immediately assigns a servant to do that for his guests. Abraham also arranges for freshly cooked veal and bread, most likely the flat bread we call pita bread. Finally, Abraham STANDS before his visitors as they are eating-why? Standing is a sign of respect, indicating that Abraham is prepared to fetch anything else his visitors might require to make their stay as pleasurable as possible.   What God knows is that Abraham would make these preparations for any visitors gracing his camp; Abraham is a genuinely good man with a heart of kindness.

At first, Abraham just assumes these men are normal travelers, for their clothing and their equipment don’t mark them as anything special. But as Abraham continues to chat with these men, he slowly realizes that he is entertaining messengers of the One True Living God, another reason for standing. And then, the visitors deliver their message from God, and it’s a shocker: God promises that by this time next year, Sarah will bear a son.

Well! This news is too much for Sarah. True, Abraham has already shared God’s promises with Sarah; however, Sarah is skeptical, for she has never gotten pregnant before. Why now, after all these years of begging God to remove her shame? Sarah’s problem is that until now, Abraham has been giving her all God’s messages, and frankly, Sarah hasn’t believed them. Even now, Sarah is back in her tent bitterly laughing, but God hears those giggles, and God confronts Sarah. Now Sarah is caught in a lie, for she suddenly realizes that these men must truly be from God; otherwise, how could they possibly know that she was laughing?

As a barren woman in a culture that values fertility, Sarah has suffered agonies of shame her entire life. When Abraham and Sarah have lived in places where there were public wells, Sarah has had to trudge to the well alone while other women have walked, accompanied by their children, particularly their daughters. No matter how gorgeous Sarah has been, other women have always gossiped about her, feeling superior for their ability to produce children. Frankly, it’s a lot easier to be barren when living away from cities and towns, for then the only other women around are the servants. Little wonder that Sarah is back in her tent, laughing bitterly.

But God is about to remove Sarah’s shame and do it miraculously. While Sarah struggles to value herself, God loves her deeply and has something glorious in the offing. Jumping ahead, we know that Sarah DOES give birth at age ninety, that Isaac grows up to be a strong man who fathers sons whose descendants will eventually fulfill every promise that God has made to Abraham. Until the end of time, Sarah will be revered as the mother of Isaac, the miracle baby, given to fulfill God’s promises. Until the end of the ages, Sarah will become the inspiration for every woman struggling with infertility and the shame of barrenness. And there’s also something else: Isaac’s miraculous birth foreshadows the miraculous birth of God’s son, Jesus Christ, to a virgin mother into whose body God puts His Holy Spirit.

Sarah doesn’t laugh because she finds God’s news funny, but because she can’t believe that she really will become pregnant. Sarah laughs out of bitterness and shame, but God turns the joke on her, ordering Abraham to name the coming baby Isaac, which means “laughter.”

Perhaps you can sympathize with Sarah. You have longed for something for years, only to have your hopes dashed repeatedly. Now that things appear hopeless, God seems to be promising to intervene. Don’t make the same mistake as Sarah. God is still on the throne, and God is still Melech HaOlam, Lord of the Universe. If God gives you a promise, hang on to it! Don’t hide somewhere laughing bitterly! Trust that God has an infinite number of ways and means by which He can make good things happen in your life. Take courage from the words of this old hymn:

1 God is working this purpose out,
as year succeeds to year;
God is working this purpose out,
and the time is drawing near;
nearer and nearer draws the time,
the time that shall surely be:
when the earth shall be filled with the glory of God
as the waters cover the sea.

2 From utmost east to utmost west,
where human feet have trod,
by the mouth of many messengers
goes forth the voice of God:
“Give ear to me, ye continents,
ye isles, give ear to me,
that the earth may be filled with the glory of God
as the waters cover the sea.”

3 Let us go forth in the strength of God,
with the banner of Christ unfurled,
that the light of the glorious gospel of truth
may shine throughout the world.
Let us all fight with sorrow and sin
to set the captives free,
that the earth may be filled with the glory of God
as the waters cover the sea.

4 All we can do is nothing worth
unless God blesses the deed.
Vainly we hope for the harvest-tide
till God gives life to the seed.
Yet nearer and nearer draws the time,
the time that shall surely be,
when the earth shall be filled with the glory of God
as the waters cover the sea.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, many of us are frustrated and discouraged. For years, we have longed for You to work in our lives, and we are still waiting. Help us to trust where we cannot see. Help us to remember that You still bring miracle babies to ninety-year-old mothers and fill their mouths with laughter. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Abraham to Father Many Nations

Genesis 17:1-2 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty. Walk before Me and be blameless. I will establish My covenant between Me and you, and I will multiply you exceedingly.”

3-8 Then Abram fell facedown, and God said to him, 4 “As for Me, this is My covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. No longer will you be called Abram, (Exalted Father) but your name will be Abraham, (Father of Many) for I have made you a father of many nations.

I will make you exceedingly fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will descend from you.

I will establish My covenant as an everlasting covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you.

And to you and your descendants I will give the land where you are residing—all the land of Canaan—as an eternal possession; and I will be their God.”

15-16 Then God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, do not call her Sarai, for her name is to be Sarah. (Princess) And I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she will be the mother of nations; kings of peoples will descend from her.”

17-18 Abraham fell facedown. Then he laughed and said to himself, “Can a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Can Sarah give birth at the age of ninety?” And Abraham said to God, “O that Ishmael might live under Your blessing!”

19-21 But God replied, “Your wife Sarah will indeed bear you a son, and you are to name him Isaac. f I will establish My covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him. As for Ishmael, I have heard you, and I will surely bless him; I will make him fruitful and multiply him greatly. He will become the father of twelve rulers, and I will make him into a great nation. But I will establish My covenant with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you at this time next year.”

Wow! Once more, God is promising Abram uncountable numbers of descendants. And this time, God even gives Abram a new name. The name Abram means “exalted father,” and through all those decades of childlessness, Abram might have become bitter. Now God is renaming Abram as Abraham, “Father of many,” and promising to make him “exceedingly fruitful,” promising to “make nations” of Abraham and for kings to be his descendants. Once more, God also promises Abraham “all of the land of Canaan as an eternal possession.” But God isn’t through yet, for next He renames Sarai as Sarah, “Princess,” and promises that she will bear a miraculous child at age ninety. This child, Isaac, will be the one with whom God will establish an everlasting covenant. Ishmael will also become a great man, fathering twelve rulers and becoming the head of a great nation.

By now, Abraham’s mind must be reeling. Sarah, to become pregnant and deliver a son in her old age? God promising to make a covenant with that son and also to multiply Ishmael in addition? But there’s a catch: As a sign of God’s covenant, Abraham and every male in his household and every one of his male descendants must be circumcised.  

The Covenant of Circumcision

9 God also said to Abraham, “You must keep My covenant—you and your descendants in the generations after you. 10 This is My covenant with you and your descendants after you, which you are to keep: Every male among you must be circumcised. 11 You are to circumcise the flesh of your foreskin, and this will be a sign of the covenant between Me and you.

12 Generation after generation, every male must be circumcised when he is eight days old, including those born in your household and those purchased from a foreigner—even those who are not your offspring. 13 Whether they are born in your household or purchased, they must be circumcised. My covenant in your flesh will be an everlasting covenant.

14 But if any male is not circumcised, he will be cut off from his people; he has broken My covenant.”

22 When He had finished speaking with Abraham, God went up from him.

23 On that very day Abraham took his son Ishmael and all those born in his household or purchased with his money—every male among the members of Abraham’s household—and he circumcised them, just as God had told him.

24-27 So Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised, and his son Ishmael was thirteen; Abraham and his son Ishmael were circumcised on the same day. And all the men of Abraham’s household—both servants born in his household and those purchased from foreigners—were circumcised with him.

Why does God institute circumcision as a repeating practice throughout all generations of Abraham’s family? Circumcision is not a new practice; however, circumcision of all males, including servants, separates Abraham’s descendants from everyone else.

Circumcision for infants is a minor procedure; however, for full-grown males, it takes several days for the wound to heal and the swelling to reduce. But God has already cut covenant with Abraham and now Abraham is cutting covenant with God as a sign of obedience, even if it hurts.

Many times, we desire God’s comfort; however, we want it on our terms, not on His. We hold out our hands, practically demanding God bless us despite being unwilling to examine our hearts to see if our heart attitudes are wrong. Notice that Abraham honors God above everything else, even as he continues to wonder how his ninety-year-old wife will manage to give birth. And Abraham obeys, even though he’s going to be sore for several days.  

How can we tell if our heart attitudes are right? Generally, people come with idiot lights rather than gauges. Idiot lights are the lights on the dashboard that tell you something is wrong and that you should have taken care of it a long time ago. By the time an idiot light flashes on your vehicle dashboard, your engine has already overheated or seized up for lack of oil. It would be quite helpful if we could check heart gauges-Obedience meter-25%, love meter-30%, Caring for others-5%.

1 John 1:5-7 tells us, “This is the message God has given us to pass on to you: that God is Light and in him is no darkness at all. So if we say we are his friends but go on living in spiritual darkness and sin, we are lying. But if we are living in the light of God’s presence, just as Christ does, then we have wonderful fellowship and joy with each other, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from every sin.”

Want God’s comfort? Open your heart to Him and allow him to clean you up. God runs “come as you are” parties. We cannot clean up ourselves, but if we will confess our sins to God, He will do what we cannot. Then we will live in the light of God’s presence and have wonderful fellowship and joy with each other. Then we will enjoy God’s comfort.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, we confess that we are sinners and incapable of freeing ourselves. Please cleanse us with Your precious blood, wipe out our sins, and help us to remain with You for the rest of our lives. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.   

1-4 But Sarai and Abram had no children. So Sarai took her maid, an Egyptian girl named Hagar, and gave her to Abram to be his second wife.

“Since the Lord has given me no children,” Sarai said, “you may sleep with my servant girl, and her children shall be mine.”

And Abram agreed. (This took place ten years after Abram had first arrived in the land of Canaan.) 

4-6 So he slept with Hagar, and she conceived; and when she realized she was pregnant, she became very proud and arrogant toward her mistress Sarai.

Then Sarai said to Abram, “It’s all your fault. For now this servant girl of mine despises me, though I myself gave her the privilege of being your wife. May the Lord judge you for doing this to me!”

“You have my permission to punish the girl as you see fit,” Abram replied. So Sarai beat her and she ran away.

Poor Hagar! Hagar is only an Egyptian servant girl with no rights and no social standing, totally dependent on any orders from Abram or Sarai. Perhaps Hagar has joined Abram and Sarai’s household during their sojourn in Egypt. Now Sarai, who is barren, insists on Abram sleeping with Hagar, so that Sarai might claim Hagar’s children as hers. Abram is eighty-six years old while Hagar is likely 50 or 60 years younger. Not only is Hagar being forced to have sex with an old man with a withered body, but her mistress intends to claim any children Hagar bears. What a horrible situation! And to make matters worse, when Hagar becomes pregnant, she is foolish enough to be proud and arrogant to the one person who has absolute power over her. Given Hagar’s precarious situation as a young household servant separated from her country, this attitude is the height of stupidity.

Immediately, Sarai blames Abram, even though she is the one who has proposed the union between Abram and Hagar. Furious at Hagar’s taunts, Sarai bears her severely, and she runs out into the wilderness. What will this young pregnant woman do without food or water? Who will protect her?

Genesis 16:7 The Angel of the Lord found her beside a desert spring along the road to Shur.

8 The Angel: “Hagar, Sarai’s maid, where have you come from, and where are you going?”

Hagar: “I am running away from my mistress.”

9-12 The Angel: “Return to your mistress and act as you should, for I will make you into a great nation. Yes, you are pregnant and your baby will be a son, and you are to name him Ishmael (‘God hears’), because God has heard your woes. This son of yours will be a wild one—free and untamed as a wild ass! He will be against everyone, and everyone will feel the same toward him. But he will live near the rest of his kin.”

13 Thereafter Hagar spoke of Jehovah—for it was he who appeared to her—as “the God who looked upon me,” for she thought, “I saw God and lived to tell it.”

14-16 Later that well was named “The Well of the Living One Who Sees Me.” It lies between Kadesh and Bered.

So Hagar gave Abram a son, and Abram named him Ishmael. (Abram was eighty-six years old at this time.)

When the angel of God finds Hagar beside a desert spring, he mildly reproves her (“act as you should”) and then gives her comforting advice. This frightened Egyptian girl realizes that she has encountered her master’s God Jehovah, “the God who looked upon me.” Later, that well is named “The Well of the Living One Who Sees Me.”

This is a short story, but an important one. Hagar is not related to Abram or Sarai at all, but is an Egyptian. As a servant, Hagar must obey every order, even distasteful ones. And Hagar is a victim of Sarai’s failure to trust God. While Abram has been meeting with God, Sarai has to depend on Abram’s accounts for her knowledge of God and His will. Second-hand faith is very weak. Since Sarai is barren, she seeks a solution common to many well-off barren women of that time:

“In the ancient Near East, it was common for a barren wife to offer her maidservant to her husband in order to produce an heir. Legal documents from Mesopotamia, such as the Code of Hammurabi (c. 1754 B.C.E.), confirm that this practice was widespread. However, the fact that a practice was legally or culturally accepted does not necessarily mean it was divinely approved. The biblical record indicates that Jehovah’s original design for marriage was monogamous—one man and one woman joined in a lifelong union. Genesis 2:24 states, “That is why a man will leave his father and his mother and he will stick to his wife, and they will become one flesh.” https://uasvbible.org/2025/03/29/was-it-appropriate-for-sarai-to-offer-her-maidservant-hagar-as-a-secondary-wife-to-abram/

Lacking faith in God’s promises, Sarai is bound to get results any way possible. Abram seems to be neutral but compliant, and after all, when Hagar becomes pregnant, the pregnancy validates Abram’s sexual prowess.

There are all kinds of ways to approach these verses; however, look at the way God handles Hagar, comforting her. God meets Hagar directly, something that has happened rarely throughout history. Then God refuses to blame Hagar for Sarai’s machinations; after all, Hagar is powerless in this situation. Sadly, Sarai cares nothing for Hagar apart from Hagar’s fertility. If Hagar fails to get pregnant, Sarai might try the same thing with another maid servant. And God promises that Hagar will safely deliver a son who will become a leader, although free and untamed.

Hagar’s story should encourage us. Many times, we may find ourselves caught in untenable situations, at the mercy of powerful people who care little for us as individuals. But God is still there, the God who looks upon us, the Living God who sees us. And God will not forget us, no matter who misuses us nor how precarious our position might be.

Psalm 62:7-9 tells us, “My protection and success come from God alone. He is my refuge, a Rock where no enemy can reach me. O my people, trust him all the time. Pour out your longings before him, for he can help! The greatest of men or the lowest—both alike are nothing in his sight. They weigh less than air on scales.” As we enter this new year, let us remember the God who comforted a poor servant girl lost in the wilderness. That same God will still comfort us.

PRAYER Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, help us to trust You and to wait for Your perfect Will to be worked in our lives. Thank You for being the God of all comfort. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Genesis 15:1 Afterwards Jehovah spoke to Abram in a vision, and this is what he told him: “Don’t be fearful, Abram, for I will defend you. And I will give you great blessings.”

2-3 But Abram replied, “O Lord Jehovah, what good are all your blessings when I have no son? For without a son, some other member of my household will inherit all my wealth.”

4 Then Jehovah told him, “No, no one else will be your heir, for you will have a son to inherit everything you own.”

5-7 Then God brought Abram outside beneath the nighttime sky and told him, “Look up into the heavens and count the stars if you can. Your descendants will be like that—too many to count!” And Abram believed God; then God considered him righteous on account of his faith.

And he told him, “I am Jehovah who brought you out of the city of Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land.”

8 But Abram replied, “O Lord Jehovah, how can I be sure that you will give it to me?” 

Pretend you are Abram. You moved from Haran when you were seventy-five, and now you are getting older. Your wife is also getting older; in fact, she hasn’t menstruated in years. You have no children and are beginning to resign yourself to taking one of your chief servants as your heir. But God keeps promising you that He will bless you abundantly. And now God says that your descendants will be as numerous as the stars and that He is going to give you all the land you have seen. At this point, nobody will criticize you for wondering how God proposes to fulfill His promises. “But Abram replied, “O Lord Jehovah, how can I be sure that you will give it to me?” What the Bible doesn’t record, but what Abram actually asks is, “Lord, are You kidding???”

God knows Abram’s heart, and God knows there’s one way He can graphically demonstrate that He’s serious about these promises. In Abram’s time, men entering serious contracts “cut covenant,” slaughtering animals and then walking around and between the carcasses while chanting promises that this same fate will overtake them and their animals if they fail to keep their part of the bargain. Now God cuts covenant with Abram.

9-11 Then Jehovah told him to take a three-year-old heifer, a three-year-old female goat, a three-year-old ram, a turtledove, and a young pigeon, and to slay them and to cut them apart down the middle, and to separate the halves, but not to divide the birds. And when the vultures came down upon the carcasses, Abram shooed them away.

12 That evening as the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram, and a vision of terrible foreboding, darkness, and horror.

13-16 Then Jehovah told Abram, “Your descendants will be oppressed as slaves in a foreign land for 400 years. But I will punish the nation that enslaves them, and at the end they will come away with great wealth. (But you will die in peace, at a ripe old age.) After four generations they will return here to this land; for the wickedness of the Amorite nations living here now will not be ready for punishment until then.”

17-21 As the sun went down and it was dark, Abram saw a smoking firepot and a flaming torch that passed between the halves of the carcasses. So that day Jehovah made this covenant with Abram: “I have given this land to your descendants from the Wadi-el-Arish to the Euphrates River. And I give to them these nations: Kenites, Kenizzites, Kadmonites, Hittites, Perizzites, Rephaim, Amorites, Canaanites, Girgashites, Jebusites.”

Well, after such a graphic demonstration of God’s intent, Abram and his wife Sara should be completely reassured and willing to wait for God’s perfect provision. WRONG! Even though God manifests His power by a smoking firepot and a flaming torch, this couple still doubts. As we learn in Genesis 16, Sara particularly feels God knows some help and takes matters into her own hands.

Why doesn’t Abram believe God and take comfort in His promises? And why doesn’t Abram share his experiences with his wife so that she will be comforted as well? Consider this: Abram wants to believe but he keeps looking at his circumstances. Perhaps Abram does try to tell Sara, but Sara refuses to believe him.

How many times has God tried to comfort us, only for us to refuse to believe Him? Take, for example, God’s admonitions for us not to be afraid. The Bible contains at least 300 commands saying “don’t be afraid.” (The exact number is in dispute, even though popularly some preachers teach that there is one of these commands for each day of the year.) God keeps telling us not to be afraid and we keep clutching our fears.

I love white water canoeing and kayaking. One of the first lessons kayakers must learn is to look at the river and not at the rocks. The second a kayaker begins looking at the rocks, the kayak will wind up on the rocks. We go where we focus. If we are to receive God’s comfort, we must focus on His comfort and His Word, not on the things that terrify us. As we begin this new year, let’s remember God’s promises and the way He has kept us through the previous year. Let’s accept God’s comfort and trust His Word.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, help us to trust You and Your promises and Your provision. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Genesis 14:14-16 When Abram learned that Lot had been captured, he called together the men born into his household, 318 of them in all, and chased after the retiring army as far as Dan. He divided his men and attacked during the night from several directions, and pursued the fleeing army to Hobah, north of Damascus, and recovered everything—the loot that had been taken, his relative Lot, and all of Lot’s possessions, including the women and other captives.

17-18 As Abram returned from his strike against Chedorlaomer and the other kings at the valley of Shaveh (later called King’s Valley), the king of Sodom came out to meet him, and Melchizedek, the king of Salem (Jerusalem), who was a priest of the God of Highest Heaven, brought him bread and wine. 

19-20 Then Melchizedek blessed Abram with this blessing: “The blessing of the supreme God, Creator of heaven and earth, be upon you, Abram; and blessed be God, who has delivered your enemies over to you.” Then Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of all the loot.

21-24 The king of Sodom told him, “Just give me back my people who were captured; keep for yourself the booty stolen from my city.”

But Abram replied, “I have solemnly promised Jehovah, the supreme God, Creator of heaven and earth, that I will not take so much as a single thread from you, lest you say, ‘Abram is rich because of what I gave him!’ All I’ll accept is what these young men of mine have eaten; but give a share of the loot to Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre, my allies.”

Abraham has really been through it! No thanks to Lot insisting on living close to Sodom, Lot and his family have become hostages of war when the king of Sodom and several other kings rebel against Chedorlaomer and his allies. Here, Abram demonstrates his innate ability as a military commander by sending 318 men out against several much larger armies, attacking them at night, and recovering all the people and the loot.

As Abram returns, he is met by two different kings, Melchizedek, the priest of the God of Highest Heaven, and the king of Sodom. Melchizedek meets Abram with bread and wine as signs of welcome and worship. Melchizedek utters a holy blessings of God over Abram, and Abram responds by giving Melchizedek a tenth of all the loot as an offering. Abram is basking in the comfort of this blessing.

Now, the king of Sodom shows up. But unlike Melchizedek, the king of Sodom is worshiping different gods. While it’s likely the citizens of Sodom worship fertility goddesses such as Ashtar, they worship other gods that encourage flagrant sexual misconduct and even mistreatment of strangers, something that is a gross violation of tradition throughout most parts of the world. We know these facts because later, in Genesis 19, when two angels visit Sodom, the men of Sodom demand that Lot allow them to gang rape his visitors.

The king of Sodom is offering comfort; however, his comfort is undoubtedly an attempt to manipulate Abram. If the king of Sodom can just entice Abram into collecting all the loot, Abram will be indebted to the king, a debt on which the king can collect at any moment. Abram fully realizes the king’s motives and wants no part of them. Perhaps Abram already knows the nature of the people of Sodom and has even tried to warn Lot as Lot moves ever closer to Sodom. Abram refuses to collect any of the loot from Sodom, apart from the portions for the three Amorite leaders who have accompanied him.

Abram makes a wise and holy choice, seeking virtuous comfort, and God blesses him for it. But where do we find comfort? When we are stressed/tired/unhappy/depressed/discouraged /lonely, what comforts us?

Recovery workers are familiar with the HALT acronym. “The HALT acronym stands for Hungry, Angry, Lonely, and Tired. It’s a simple but effective tool used in recovery to remind a person to pause and assess their emotional and physical before making important decisions or reacting to situations. By addressing these four states, they can avoid impulsive actions that result in self-harming behaviors and take better care of themselves.

Hungry

When someone is in the “Hungry” state within the HALT acronym, they may be experiencing feelings of low energy, irritability, and difficulty concentrating due to insufficient nourishment. Hunger can lead to emotional imbalances, affecting one’s mood and decision-making. Proper nutrition is often underrated in mental health. It is vital for maintaining stable emotions and mental clarity. Ignoring hunger can exacerbate stress and anxiety, making it essential to prioritize regular, balanced meals and snacks to support overall well-being and emotional equilibrium.

Angry

The “Angry” state in the HALT acronym refers to the emotion of anger and its associated impacts. When someone is feeling angry, they may experience heightened frustration, resentment, and hostility. This emotional state can cloud judgment and lead to impulsive, regrettable actions. Uncontrolled anger can strain relationships and escalate conflicts.

Recognizing anger as a risk state allows individuals to take a step back, practice deep breathing, and employ healthy coping mechanisms to manage and diffuse this intense emotion effectively. Addressing the root causes of anger and seeking constructive ways to express it can lead to better emotional regulation and improved overall well-being.

Lonely

The “Lonely” state within the HALT acronym encompasses feelings of isolation and disconnection from others. It can lead to emotional distress, sadness, and a sense of emptiness. Prolonged loneliness can have adverse effects on mental health, contributing to depression and anxiety.

Recognizing loneliness as a risk state allows individuals to seek social connections, reach out to friends or family, and engage in activities that foster a sense of belonging. Prioritizing social support and meaningful relationships can help combat loneliness and promote emotional well-being. Additionally, practicing self-compassion and self-care can be beneficial in addressing feelings of loneliness and cultivating a positive relationship with oneself.

Tired

The “Tired” state in the HALT acronym refers to physical and mental exhaustion. When someone is feeling tired, they may experience reduced focus, increased irritability, and diminished cognitive abilities. Fatigue can impair decision-making and lead to mistakes or accidents. Chronic tiredness can also impact emotional stability and overall mood, making individuals more vulnerable to stress and negative emotions.

Recognizing tiredness as a risk state allows individuals to prioritize rest and sleep, engage in relaxation techniques, and manage their energy levels effectively. Adequate rest and self-care are essential in replenishing energy reserves and supporting emotional well-being.

What Can HALT Be Used For?

The HALT skill, originally developed in the context of addiction recovery, is a powerful tool used to enhance self-awareness and emotional well-being. By recognizing the four states of HALT, individuals can respond to challenging situations in healthier ways. Over time, the HALT skill has evolved beyond addiction recovery and is now widely utilized in various contexts, such as eating disorder recovery and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).¹

” https://www.choosingtherapy.com/halt-acronym/

Why should believers be aware of HALT? Nobody wakes up one morning and says, “I’m choosing to be stressed or depressed.” Situations always develop gradually and sneak up on us. Before we realize it, we might be searching for quick comfort in wrong places. Blessedly, God has answers for all of our problems, if we will only look for His answers. We must continue to seek God’s will and God’s comfort. God’s answers work; other answers will never satisfy.

 PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, help us to always look for the comfort only You can give. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

13 1-2 So they left Egypt and traveled north into the Negeb—Abram with his wife, and Lot, and all that they owned, for Abram was very rich in livestock, silver, and gold. 3-4 Then they continued northward toward Bethel where he had camped before, between Bethel and Ai—to the place where he had built the altar. And there he again worshiped the Lord.

5 Lot too was very wealthy, with sheep and cattle and many servants. 6 But the land could not support both Abram and Lot with all their flocks and herds. There were too many animals for the available pasture. 7 So fights broke out between the herdsmen of Abram and Lot, despite the danger they all faced from the tribes of Canaanites and Perizzites present in the land. 

8 Then Abram talked it over with Lot. “This fighting between our men has got to stop,” he said. “We can’t afford to let a rift develop between our clans. Close relatives such as we are must present a united front! 9 I’ll tell you what we’ll do. Take your choice of any section of the land you want, and we will separate. If you want that part over there to the east, then I’ll stay here in the western section. Or, if you want the west, then I’ll go over there to the east.”

10 Lot took a long look at the fertile plains of the Jordan River, well watered everywhere (this was before Jehovah destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah); the whole section was like the Garden of Eden, or like the beautiful countryside around Zoar in Egypt. 11 So that is what Lot chose—the Jordan Valley to the east of them. He went there with his flocks and servants, and thus he and Abram parted company. 12 For Abram stayed in the land of Canaan, while Lot lived among the cities of the plain, settling at a place near the city of Sodom. 13 The men of this area were unusually wicked, and sinned greatly against Jehovah.

14 After Lot was gone, the Lord said to Abram, “Look as far as you can see in every direction, 15 for I am going to give it all to you and your descendants. 16 And I am going to give you so many descendants that, like dust, they can’t be counted! 17 Hike in all directions and explore the new possessions I am giving you.” 18 Then Abram moved his tent to the oaks of Mamre, near Hebron, and built an altar to Jehovah there.

In a land where water is scarce and grazing can be difficult, two groups of herdsmen are struggling. When Abram discusses the matter with his nephew Lot, he suggests they split up and go in different directions. The remarkable thing about this discussion is that Abram gives Lot first choice. As the senior person in the relationship, Abram should naturally have first choice; however, he is doing everything he can to avoid conflict.

Notice that Lot never hesitates or asks what Abram might like to do, even though Abram is his uncle and has been very kind to him. It’s likely that Lot owes much of his wealth to Abram’s help and generosity. As soon as Lot is given the opportunity, he immediately chooses the Jordan Valley for its rich grazing and the continuous supply of water. The Jordan River is formed by several streams that flow down from the slopes of Mount Hermon, supplying fresh water year-round. The grass is lush, and livestock will prosper there.

Lot’s selfish choice leaves Abram struggling with uncertain water sources and the threat of attacks from Canaanite tribesmen. But as soon as Lot takes off for the Jordan Valley, God speaks to Abram, “Look as far as you can see in every direction, for I am going to give it all to you and your descendants. And I am going to give you so many descendants that, like dust, they can’t be counted! Hike in all directions and explore the new possessions I am giving you.”  (Genesis 13:14-17)

Abram refuses to exert his authority as the patriarch of the family, even though custom demands it. And Lot immediately takes advantage of his soft-hearted uncle to seize what looks like the best land. What’s interesting is where Lot settles. The Jordan Valley extends 223 miles or 360 kilometers. Lot has lots of places where he can settle aprat from the area of Sodom; however, the Sodom area is close and Lot doesn’t want to struggle. Sure, the citizens of Sodom have an evil reputation, but Lot isn’t going to live in Sodom, so what?

We know that Lot’s choice will prove disastrous and ultimately, he will lose everything. Meanwhile, God blesses Abram and comforts him for being unselfish. Leo Durocher, a famous American baseball manager, is quoted as having said, “Nice guys finish last.” But the kingdom of God operates differently. One of the rules of the Kingdom of God is that the measure you give out is the measure you receive. Here Abram has been generous, and now God comforts him by reiterating His promises about Abram’s future and the futures of his descendants.

Perhaps you have found yourself in the same position as Abram. Given the opportunity to help yourself, you have allowed others to benefit instead. Perhaps you are beginning to think that Mr. Durocher was right and that nice guys really do finish last. Perhaps last year was filled with diasters and you fear this year will bring more of the same. But God keeps the books and God will be no man’s debtor. God has seen your struggles and your desire to please Him. When you follow God’s will for your life, God will comfort you and God will take care of you. Remember what eventually happens to Abram and Lot: Abram prospers and Lot loses everything because of his selfishness.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, many of us have struggled to reach this new year and we fear for what might happen. Please comfort all those mourning lost opportunities, that they might see that You are the One who consoles and rewards. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Genesis 12:7-9 Then the Lord appeared to Abram and said, “To your descendants I will give this land.” And there he built an altar to the Lord, who had appeared to him. And he moved from there to the mountain east of Bethel, and he pitched his tent with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east; there he built an altar to the Lord and called on the name of the Lord. So Abram journeyed, going on still toward the South.

Well, Abram has trusted God, making it to Canaan and has done well by worshiping God as soon as he arrives. But all is not rosy in Canaan, and Abram’s faith is about to be tested.

Genesis 12:10 Now there was a famine in the land, and Abram went down to Egypt to dwell there, for the famine was severe in the land. 11 And it came to pass, when he was close to entering Egypt, that he said to Sarai his wife, “Indeed I know that you are a woman of beautiful countenance. 12 Therefore it will happen, when the Egyptians see you, that they will say, ‘This is his wife’; and they will kill me, but they will let you live. 13 Please say you are my sister, that it may be well with me for your sake, and that I may live because of you.”

While we choose to believe that climate change is a new phenomenon, in fact, it has always affected human history. Here, Abram and Sarai move to Egypt to escape famine in Canaan. The Nile River provides a constant source of water for irrigation, so Egypt has food while Canaan does not. Abram is already seventy-five, so Sarai must be nearly sixty; however, Sarai is still so strikingly beautiful that Abram fears the Egyptians will kill him so they can take Sarai to join Pharaoh’s harem.   

Why does the Bible include this story about Abram with his fear driving him to lie? Why doesn’t Abram trust God’s direction and His promises? Here, Abram is tormenting himself, turning away from God’s comfort to become his own amateur providence. As soon as a potential threat looms, Abram forgets everything God has told him and God’s magnificent plans for his future. Abram also forgets that God has promised, “I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

14 So it was, when Abram came into Egypt, that the Egyptians saw the woman, that she was very beautiful. 15 The princes of Pharaoh also saw her and commended her to Pharaoh. And the woman was taken to Pharaoh’s house. 16 He treated Abram well for her sake. He had sheep, oxen, male donkeys, male and female servants, female donkeys, and camels.

17 But the Lord plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram’s wife. 18 And Pharaoh called Abram and said, “What is this you have done to me? Why did you not tell me that she was your wife? 19 Why did you say, ‘She is my sister’? I might have taken her as my wife. Now therefore, here is your wife; take her and go your way.” 20 So Pharaoh commanded his men concerning him; and they sent him away, with his wife and all that he had.

Eventually, God delivers Abram and Sarai from the mess Abram’s lies have created. What might have happened had Abram had the courage to trust God and tell the truth in the beginning? Pharaoh might have respected Abram more for having a gorgeous wife at the age of seventy-five. Perhaps God wanted Abram to develop a close relationship with Pharaoh for some reason, but now Pharaoh is so revolted that he simply expels Abram and Sarai from Egypt.

We read this story and begin mentally criticizing Abram for his lack of faith. But how many of us would have done any better? God gives us promises, and we chant Bible verses and sing songs…..up until our faith is really tested. That’s when we begin struggling to find ways to fix the situation, never mind God’s promises or His assurances of comfort. We turn away from the very One who can help us and comfort us, struggling to find solutions in impossible places. We go in for Netflix, on-line games, food, alcohol, drugs, or even sex, all to fill the God-sized hole in our hearts.

Centuries after Abram has become Abraham, father of nations, and a pillar of faith, the Israelites have again forsaken God and His promises. Jeremiah 2:13 tells us, “For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, and hewn themselves cisterns—broken cisterns that can hold no water.”

As we enter this new year, we need to examine our hearts and lives. Are we truly depending on the One True Living God, the Fountain of living waters, the only Source of comfort, or are we digging broken cisterns that will leak, leaving us comfortless? It was Blaise Pascal, a seventeenth century French mathematician and philosopher, who taught us, “There is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of every person, and it can never be filled by any created thing. It can only be filled by God, made known through Jesus Christ.”

God wanted to give Abram comfort and assurance in Egypt, but Abram tried to find his own solutions and failed miserably. Today, why not allow God’s Holy Spirit to fill that God-sized hole in your heart?

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, we confess that we have been trying to fill our hearts with stuff that can never comfort us. We confess these attempts as sin and beg You to forgive us. Please send Your Holy Spirit to fill us with Your love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Genesis 12:1 Now the Lord had said to Abram:

“Get out of your country,
From your family
And from your father’s house,
To a land that I will show you.
2 I will make you a great nation;
I will bless you
And make your name great;
And you shall be a blessing.
3 I will bless those who bless you,
And I will curse him who curses you;
And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

Abraham’s father, Terah, has already moved his family from Ur of the Chaldees to Haran, on the Balikh River. This area is quite fertile and Haran is also a major trading center, with the Euphrates River being 100 km eastward. Although Terah might originally be heading for Canaan, when he reaches Haran, he chooses to remain there. Perhaps Terah begins trading and doing well. At any rate, Abraham is seventy-five years old before God shakes up his world.

Abram is quite comfortable in Haran. Perhaps Abram has even given up the notion of traveling to Canaan; after all, what’s the point of breaking off friendships in Haran to endure the struggles of the road? What can Canaan possibly offer that Haran doesn’t already have? Besides, Abram is already seventy-five and has no sons to whom he can pass things on. No, far better to stay in Haran where it’s safe and comfortable. But something happens. God speaks to Abram. And what God orders shocks Abram, for God directs Abram to tear up roots, leave Haran, and head for Canaan.

How does Abram know that God is speaking to him? Does Abram hear an audible voice? Does God speak to Abram in a dream? Does some diviner come to Abram? We don’t know. All we do know is that Abram becomes firmly convinced that God wants him to leave for Canaan and that God promises to bless him, to curse his enemies, and to bless all the families of the earth through him.

“But,” you ask, perplexed, “the title of these studies is all about comfort. This story sounds anything but comforting!” True. One of the confusing paradoxes about God is that He frequently subjects us to difficulties before he rewards us. You see, God knows far more about our circumstances than we do. We want quick fixes, even if they’re temporary while God is interested in permanent solutions. Terah reaches Haran and stops. For Abram, Haran is his entire world, but God knows Abram has the faith to become the father of nations. So God begins nudging Abram. Suddenly living in Haran has lost its appeal. Familiar scenes hold no enchantment. Conversations with friends and neighbors seem meaningless. Abram is restless and can’t understand why. That’s when God speaks to him, ordering him to pull up stakes and get on the road.

You might read these verses and wonder if this kind of thing really happens. We can testify that it does. Even though God called me into missions when I was eleven, I went through college, medical school, and nine years of surgery training while He remained silent. By the fall of 1985, I had completed my training and had taken a temporary job in a chain of minor emergency clinics. I was earning a good living and we were comfortable….except that we were totally uncomfortable. No matter how pleasant things were, we were restless. Finally, our pastor preached a sermon about Jonah, in which he said that Jonah remained uncomfortable because he was not following God’s leading. The pastor concluded that each of us should look inside ourselves to see if God was trying to guide us and if we had overlooked any opportunities.

That very week, Bob had met a doctor friend who worked at a mission hospital in northern Nigeria. This man had supplied us with application forms for his mission. With nothing else to act on, we decided to complete those applications. As soon as we completed the forms, we felt relieved. Later when we interviewed with representatives of that mission, it became evident that our theological views did not match those of that particular mission. But the process was started, and within a year, we were to meet the mission that eventually sent us to Ghana for our first mission term.

Since that time, we have had other experiences of “holy discomfort.” We have learned that when these convictions have come, we simply need to ask God for guidance and He will direct us. What’s happening in your lives? Are you feeling what might be “holy discomfort?” Ask God to enlighten you. Trust Him, for He is a good Father who does not play guessing games.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, as we begin this new year, please help us to listen for Your still small voice. Open the eyes of our hearts, that we may see You and understand Your will for our lives. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Genesis 8:20-21 Noah built an altar to God. He selected clean animals and birds from every species and offered them as burnt offerings on the altar. God smelled the sweet fragrance and thought to himself, “I’ll never again curse the ground because of people. I know they have this bent toward evil from an early age, but I’ll never again kill off everything living as I’ve just done.

22 For as long as Earth lasts, planting and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never stop.”

Noah and the family have just survived a catastrophic flood while caring for hundreds of animals and birds. Now everyone has come out of the ark, and Noah has made an offering on an altar. Now God is responding to Noah by promising never to kill off everything living again for as long as earth lasts. God is promising to preserve His creation.

What many of us fail to realize is that God has given us creation for comfort. In an earlier age and today in locations where people are not tied to screens and the internet, many people spent-and spend-much of their time outdoors. Now, large numbers of people are choosing to remain inside, but is that the wisest choice for mental health? No. When we divorce ourselves from nature, we are cutting off one of God’s biggest gifts for our comfort.

No less august a source than the Mayo Clinic newsletter touts the benefits of being outside.

“There are many studies that demonstrate how spending time in nature can improve mood, lower anxiety, and improve cognition and memory,” says Mayo Clinic nurse practitioner Jodie M. Smith, APRN., C.N.P., D.N.P., M.S.N. “Making time for nature is important in order for us to maintain resiliency and promote self-care in a world that demands a lot from us.”

How does nature benefit mental health?

First and foremost, Smith says that nature can be an effective tool to manage stress.

“Stress stimulates our sympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for increasing our blood pressure, heart rate and blood sugar in order to react to a stimulus that is causing us stress,” says Smith.

And while not all stress is bad — for example, stress can motivate you to meet a work deadline or keep an eye on your kids at the pool — prolonged or chronic exposure to stress can chip away at your emotional and mental well-being.

But nature may be able to combat stress and its effects. For example, one study showed that exposure to nature can regulate the sympathetic nervous system in as little as five minutes.

“This means that we can get an almost immediate benefit from stepping outside,” says Smith. And doing so on a recurrent basis may prevent cumulative effects from stress, which could mean a lower risk for chronic disease, illness and mortality.”

In addition to alleviating stress, Smith says research indicates that exposure to nature can be an effective coping strategy for those with chronic mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Prolonged immersion in nature and nature-based therapy programs have shown promise as a way of managing PTSD.

Even for those without serious mental health conditions, nature may help you manage emotions like loneliness, irritability and possibly even road rage.

Finally, there is evidence that nature exposure is associated with better cognitive function — like memory, attention, creativity and sleep quality.

But perhaps the best part is that nature makes it easy to soak in these benefits.

“Being present in nature doesn’t ask or require anything of us, so it frees up our mind to think more deeply and clearly about things,” says Smith.

Smith goes on to encourage those who are stuck inside all day to create small green spaces, to listen to recorded bird songs and to become involved in community gardens and other projects that help them get outside. https://mcpress.mayoclinic.org/mental-health/the-mental-health-benefits-of-nature-spending-time-outdoors-to-refresh-your-mind/

Some cultures are so serious about time spent outdoors that infants may even be brought outside to sleep. When I saw the photo online, I could scarcely believe it. Caring mothers in Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and Finland bundle their babies warmly, placing them in padded baby carriages, and LEAVING THEM OUT IN THE COLD AND SNOW TO NAP!!! Moreover, this has been going on for centuries. Even today, as evidenced by the photo, people go to coffee shops, leaving their babies to sleep outside in the cold.

• It turns out that there are a number of major health benefits to gain from this practice: Improved Sleep Quality: Despite the cold temperatures, babies who nap outside actually sleep for longer and enjoy deeper sleep, according to studies. This can be helpful for their overall development, and since this is commonly a daily practice in the winter, it can help keep their sleep schedule regular, too!
• Boosted Immune System: Because of the baby’s exposure to the outside world and colder temperatures, they also have improved immunity. This is something that all Danish people believe fervently—that fresh air, specifically cold, fresh air—is wonderful for their children’s health. When they nap outside, they are also exposed to less indoor germs, which means that they stay healthier.  
• Enhanced Physical Health: As you can imagine, the combination of improved sleep quality and boosted immunity leads to improved physical health. Additionally, because of the temperatures, babies enjoy improved blood circulation and get more sunlight exposure, all of which help their health and circadian rhythm stay regular.  
• Better Mental Well-Being: When babies nap outside, they are also exposed to environments that can improve their mental well-being. The natural environment can calm them down while also reducing parental stress, as this is a communal activity that all parents take part in. It’s a highly beneficial practice for mom and baby! 

The Scandinavian Tradition of Babies Napping Outside in Winter: Benefits and Safety Tips

Here in Ghana, snow and ice are unknown; however, mothers routinely “back” their babies, carrying them everywhere-to market, to farm, to church. It’s quite common to see mothers riding motorcycles with babies on their backs, and the children generally do quite well. Women carry babies in similar fashion throughout Africa, Latin America, and Asia. While being carried, these babies are also enjoying the comfort of being close to their mothers and in the outdoors as well.

When I was a child, one of our favorite Sunday School hymns was “This is My Father’s World” by Maltbie Davenport Babcock. Of all the hymns I know, this one describes the comfort God has given us through His creation. Here are the words:

1 This is my Father’s world,
And to my listening ears
All nature sings, and round me rings
The music of the spheres.
This is my Father’s world:
I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas–
His hand the wonders wrought.

2 This is my Father’s world:
The birds their carols raise,
The morning light, the lily white,
Declare their Maker’s praise.
This is my Father’s world:
He shines in all that’s fair;
In the rustling grass I hear Him pass,
He speaks to me everywhere.

3 This is my Father’s world:
O let me ne’er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the Ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world:
Why should my heart be sad?
The Lord is King: let the heavens ring!
God reigns; let earth be glad!

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, we praise You and bless You for the comfort You give us through Your glorious creation. Help us to rejoice in that creation and to absorb the comfort You provide. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.