GENESIS 18:2b-8

I've been lamenting over a tough decision the last few days. After much thought and prayer I still don't really feel like I know what the right thing to do is. I was reminded by my recent readings in Genesis that God, in the Old Testament, often appeared to His people. Earlier in chapter 18 it says "The Lord appeared to Abraham..." He doesn't seem to do that anymore. As best I know he has never appeared to me. Or to my friends. Or even to the modern leaders of the church. But in the Old Testament it was a frequent occurrence. Maybe it is because the New Testament church has the Holy Spirit and so God doesn't feel He needs to make a physical appearance. Or maybe it is because if He did appear to us today we wouldn't treat Him like Abraham did in this chapter:

"Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground" (Genesis 18:2).

When Abraham saw God and his angels appear, he worshipped Him. His worship was quick (he hurried) and humble (he bowed low to the ground). Maybe if God appeared before us we would have to finish our cell phone call first. And then after we hung up we would recognize it was God and get around to worshipping Him.

After Abraham worshipped God, he also served Him:

"He said, 'If I have found favor in your eyes, my lord, do not pass your servant by. Let a little water be brought, and then you may all wash your feet and rest under this tree. Let me get you something to eat, so you can be refreshed and then go on your way -- now that you have come to your servant'.

 'Very well,' they answered, 'do as you say.'" (Genesis 18:3-5).

Maybe if God appeared to me I would get around to serving Him after Wheel of Fortune was over.

Not only did Abraham serve God, but he got his whole household involved and invested, too:

"So Abraham hurried {there is that quickness again} into the tent to Sarah. 'Quick,' he said, 'get three seahs of the finest flour and knead it and bake some bread.' Then he ran to the herd and selected a choice, tender calf and gave it to a servant, who hurried to prepare it. He then brought some curds and milk and the calf that had been prepared, and set these before them. While they ate, he stood near them under a tree."

Abraham enlisted Sarah and his servant in the worship of his God. He was so willing and eager he hurried and his attitude was contagious. Sarah picked the finest flour. Abraham ran to the herd. His servant quickly prepared it. They gave it their best effort. This was a gold medal winning service performance.

I am frustrated by my indecision and wonder why God doesn't appear to me as He did to Abraham. Maybe when my worship and my service of God Almighty look more like Abraham's then I'll take the metal stand and be blessed with a personal pep talk from the Coach.