Struggling to Interest People

Bible readings for the day: Genesis 14-15

Although Abraham is basically a peace-loving, the greatness of character when he appeared 318 people mobilized his men to fight for liberating Lot, his nephew, of the enemy prisoners.

The character of Abraham who love peace (tend to always avoid arguments) visible from a few events. First, as his servants and servants of Lot fight, he decided to split from Lot to avoid problems. He also invited Lot to choose the place (13:1-12). Second, the beauty she has the potential to invite trouble, he chose to ask his wife claimed to be his brother (12:11-13). Third, when Sara was desperate to ask Abraham married Hagar in order to have a child, he went along (16:1-6), so he must have a deep sadness when he had to expel Hagar and Ishmael, Abraham's son from his marriage to Hagar (21:9-14).

Abraham's character that always avoid arguments as described above, it is surprising that Abraham dared to lead his people to fight against the king's army and Kedorlaomer allies kings (14:1-16). His affection to Lot, his nephew, made Abraham able to overcome his fears. This epic story of Abraham is a reproach to us that says to love your wife or husband or children or the poor or the church, but not willing to fight to realize that love. When the love of God is in our hearts, it's natural if we dare to take risks to fight for the people we love!

1 John 4:18
"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love."

Unity in Marriage

Bible readings for the day: Genesis 2

Destination weddings are not that two people like each other are free to have sex or to have offspring, but to a man and a woman love each other can come together to complement each other and help each other.

God created humans as social beings who have a need to relate to others (2:18). The initiative of God to create Eve as a worthy partner for Adam to show that God blessed the marriage between men and women. Even so, to realize that the happiness of a marriage will be determined by the attitude of each partner. Willingness to humble ourselves and each other adjust to the couple would guarantee happiness, but the attitude to maintain their selfishness will destroy a marriage. Note that the union between men and women depicted in 2:24 like two glued pieces of paper together so that each can stand alone.

If not watch out, unity in marriage can be destroyed by a third party. Unity can only be achieved when men and women respectively would leave the attachment with the environment (including the extended family) to look at various problems of life together. This means that each load be a burden shared and individual interests must be compromised to form a common interest. Engagement with others (parents, children, friends) are more powerful than the bond with the wife or husband is a threat to a marriage.

Genesis 2:18
The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him."