August 30, 2026

GOD’S WORD FOR TODAY:

“On that very day Abraham took his son Ishmael and all those born in his household or bought with his money, every male in his household, and circumcised them, as God told him.” (Genesis 17.23)

REFLECTION ON GOD’S WORD:

How many times is it as simple as that…. when God has promised to make a way and by grace extends His mercy and takes us back even after we have tried time and again to do it our own way… we just do what God says!

In the end, it will always be God’s final word spoken over us as it was from the beginning, if we will walk by faith and trust in Him with our whole selves. I know I still struggle daily to stay the course and keep one foot in front of the other, but I never wander far from the simple trust of God’s abiding and constant presence which is meant for my good just as it is for the good of others.

Why do we think we can convince ourselves that we will ultimately know better than God on a daily, even a moment by moment basis or foolishly that “one day, you’ll see” fabrication? That is the way of Satan! The once bright and day star of Heaven, leading all angels in worship of the One True and Only God got it in his mind that the gift of choice was God’s tolerance of behavior contrary to His will. It was not and it is not even to this day. The gift of choice is our decision to put aside all else and stay in the presence and will of God forever. What once was beautiful, and I cannot imagine what Lucifer must have looked like as the amalgamation of music and song and glory and praise, but it had to be a sight to behold. No worship leader on earth can compare that is sure. And if I allow myself to think of it, there is another bright and morning star who was Lucifer’s rival (though not in the sense we think of such things on earth.) He was the Son of God and is the glorified and Resurrected One. Lucifer served, would still be serving his purpose, which was to lift up and praise the Son of the Father for the work that was yet to be done to complete the art and product of creation. Mighty ones, when it is said and done, all those who will choose to be with God alongside of Christ Jesus His Son will be in that forever Sabbath. The Sabbath is the end of days but in Christ it becomes a new creation just as we who believe shall be with Him forever.

In the gospels we hear of John the Baptizer. And while he never sought to rival Jesus but remain the messenger of God’s kingdom coming to earth to fulfill all righteousness (to redeem the human community from the stain of sin and deception, to bring them in line with the perfect religion and to bring glory to God in powerful and creative worship through the “two becoming one: the Groom and the Bride, Jesus and the Church”), he knew that he could not exceed Jesus but let his light fade so that the world would see Jesus without fail. That was the call of Lucifer in heaven. He was to announce the Son of God in glory forever. He was never to exceed Him, as if he could. Yet, it was too hard for even him being in the very presence of God without fear of dying, to cast his eyes upon the majesty, sovereignty and beauty of the Lord and live forever. What made him finally surrender to his ego, pride and jealousy that he would give up all of heaven for darkness? He did. Jesus didn’t. And on the day when God said His last word to Abraham and walked away purposefully and faithfully, Abraham didn’t either. He did what God said and his legacy, as promised, endures….not by blood but by faith to all generations that they might see the simple truth.

What is that truth? God is for us; not against us.

What is the question? Who are we for and who are we against?

TODAY’S PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING:

Father, in these days we are finding the need to believe even more than ever before. We all have known trouble, some in greater ways than others, but You are offering us the assurance that we will not be consumed by it forever. Regardless of the “time” we are in and the “time” we have been given, we ask for Your Holy Spirit which Jesus asked You to share with us, to lead and guide and direct us in the paths we should go. Teach us what we still need to learn. Empower us to put that learning into action. Bless our actions not as a works righteousness endeavor, but as righteous works of faith, hope and love in Jesus’ name. AMEN.