HERE IN THE TENT

“Then they said to him, “Where is Sarah your wife?” So he said, “Here, in the tent.”’ – Genesis 18:9

REFERENCE:

Genesis 18:6-14

Growing up as a Yoruba boy, the elders had an adage around the hymn, “Pass me not O gentle Savior;” they would say, “‘Do not pass me by, O Lord,’ is not a song you sing sitting down.” They meant you don’t want God to bypass you in life, so you must stand up to meet Him. You must go after what you want and take actions that communicate that you don’t want to miss God. You must be at the right place, doing the right things, to have the right encounter.

God paid Abraham a visit, and he was a good, prompt, and generous host. He stood as his guests ate and waited on them like a waiter in a restaurant. He did not know that he was entertaining God. Suddenly, the Lord asked him, “Where is Sarah your wife?” Abraham must have been shocked that these ‘strangers’ knew his wife by name; that was his first hint at the divinity of his guests. He responded, “Here in the Tent.” The day God came to answer Sarah’s prolonged need, she was present. What joy it is to be present on the day of one’s visitation when Omnipotence comes to answer one’s prayers. Thank God Abraham’s response was not, ‘Gave up on God and left the tent,’ ‘Left because of a misunderstanding we had,’ ‘Went to spend the weekend with a friend,’ etc. How would Sarah have felt if she missed this moment?

Discouragement and depression could have made Sarah lie in bed sulking, deciding not to entertain the strangers, but she was there. Who knows if she had to fight the temptation to give up or leave the tent that day? You may be waiting on God for a miracle, but would you be in the tent the day God comes with your answer? Would you still be in church? Would you still serve, give, study, love, pray, and stand in faith? Are you in your assigned tent, or have you left because you are offended at someone or at God? If God says, “Where is that My child in need of My touch?” would your answer be, “Here in the tent?”

I pray that on the day of your visitation, you will be where God has assigned you, in Jesus’ name. Indeed, “Pass me not, O gentle Savior,” is not a song you sing without ensuring you are at the right place, staying in faith, and doing the right things.

PHOTO QUOTE

ADDITIONAL TEXTS:

Luke 19:42, Luke 18:6-8 (Message Bible) & Hebrews 6:11-12

PRAYERS:

+ LORD, give me the grace to be at the right place when it matters most. May I not miss my day of visitation, in Jesus’ name.

+ From today, Father Lord, order my steps aright. Deliver me from the pattern of error in judgment, in Jesus’ name.

+ Lord, send my helpers to me and when they come, may I recognize them and welcome them.