"…she looked on me with contempt."
How do you look at those that surround you?
“If looks could kill” is an old saying that depicts the way we sometimes look at another person with hatred in our eyes. Everyone is guilty on this regard, for we have shown our disgust or anger through our eyes in many occasions.
“But people have hurt me!” you reply.
It’s true. Even Hagar displayed a look of disdain for her mistress Sarai.
How do you look at those who surround you?
We are surrounded by evil. We live in a post-Christian society. It is clear that we should expect hatred, criticism, and all kinds of unjust persecution. A Christian who expects love and appreciation from the world is hallucinating at best and compromising his or her daily walk with the Lord at worst.
"You are the God who sees."
Was Hagar wrong in looking with evil contempt? Of course, nevertheless, there was not a hint of anger in God’s eyes. God despises our sins, but his gaze is full of grace toward his children. In God’s eyes we are winners because he looks at us through his Son, and everything he sees is filtered by love and compassion.
How do you look at those who surround you?
There are only two ways, either with worldly hatred or divine love. The worldly look is easy and freely available to all. Even Christians can learn to stare in this manner. The divine look, however, is only possible for Christians who are full of God.
A. G.
"He divided his forces against them by night…"
There was a time in my life when my innermost desire was to become a great firefighter. I was awestruck by the “glamour” this profession offered, such as becoming an everyday hero, walking out of burning buildings with babies in my arms, and rescuing little old ladies.
Although I still relish the role of a hero (I have been involved in a few minor rescue missions), firefighting does not hold the same appeal. Now I know it involves dealing with injuries, burns, and blood. I wanted to be a “hero,” not a doctor.
Abram was, no doubt, a man of peace. The last thing in his mind was probably to get involved in a rescue operation, even less a war, but he was forced to do it. Lot, his foolish nephew, was taken captive by the enemy, and it was up to Abram to save him. He attacked the enemy camp by night and was rewarded with a complete victory.
God is extending an invitation to would-be heroes to enlist in the most fantastic and rewarding rescue mission. This is not for the faint-hearted or lukewarm Christian, for it requires complete devotion to God. The mission: to attack the forces of darkness and rescue as many souls as we can from our spiritual enemy.
"Then he brought back all the goods…"
Jesus came to seek out and save the lost (Luke 19:10). His mission is in need of courageous volunteers who would carry the torch of the gospel to the prisoners in the kingdom of darkness and despair. His mission is not impossible.
A. G.
