Today’s devotion comes from Genesis 21:22-34.
“Now it came about at that time that Abimelech and Phicol, the commander of his army, spoke to Abraham, saying, “God is with you in all that you do; now therefore, swear to me here by God that you will not deal falsely with me or with my offspring or with my posterity, but according to the kindness that I have shown to you, you shall show to me and to the land in which you have sojourned.” Abraham said, “I swear it.” But Abraham complained to Abimelech because of the well of water which the servants of Abimelech had seized. And Abimelech said, “I do not know who has done this thing; you did not tell me, nor did I hear of it until today.”
Abraham took sheep and oxen and gave them to Abimelech, and the two of them made a covenant. Then Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock by themselves. Abimelech said to Abraham, “What do these seven ewe lambs mean, which you have set by themselves?” He said, “You shall take these seven ewe lambs from my hand so that it may be a witness to me, that I dug this well.” Therefore he called that place Beersheba, because there the two of them took an oath. So they made a covenant at Beersheba; and Abimelech and Phicol, the commander of his army, arose and returned to the land of the Philistines. Abraham planted a tamarisk tree at Beersheba, and there he called on the name of the Lord, the Everlasting God. And Abraham sojourned in the land of the Philistines for many days.” Genesis 21:22-34.
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Abraham was willing to swear to show kindness to Abimelech, but Abraham was not willing to forego justice. “But Abraham complained to Abimelech because of the well of water which the servants of Abimelech had seized.” Verse 25. Abraham also took action to obtain a witness to help establish justice. “He said, “You shall take these seven ewe lambs from my hand so that it may be a witness to me, that I dug this well.” Verse 30.
Today’s Scripture reminds us that God does not only love lovingkindness, God also loves justice and righteousness.
“He loves righteousness and justice;
The earth is full of the lovingkindness of the LORD.” Psalm 33:5.
“Thus says the LORD, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.” Jeremiah 9:23-24.
So, we should expect that because God works in us, God will not only work in us to show lovingkindness to others, God will also work in us to show justice and righteousness to others.
“He has told you, O man, what is good;
And what does the LORD require of you
But to do justice, to love kindness,
And to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8.
“for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” Philippians 2:13.
“… “God is with you in all that you do;” Verse 22.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 