Abraham’s relationship with God was a personal one. He had been a part of two personal covenants with God and now he was being visited and having dinner with the Lord and two angels. It took Abraham a lifetime to build the relationship he had with God. At nearly 100 years old, Abraham had seen God work in many amazing ways. He led Abram to this land. God helped Abraham to build a fortune and a life. Now at 99 years old he had countless servants, livestock and even family to begin God’s chosen people. Still, God made it clear he lacked an heir for the kingdom.
Now, at dinner, the Lord confirmed what He told Abraham at the discussion of the covenant. In a year, Isaac, the heir would be born. Sarah would have a child in her old age. And Abraham would raise him with the wisdom of age. The idea of finally having a child was enough to make Sarah laugh. God did not think it so funny. He called her on it.
This visit by God and His angels would be a turning point in Israel’s history. It would forever establish God’s power and commitment to Abraham. Interestingly, it also did the same for us. It was God’s desire to maintain the very personal relationship with Abraham and us that allowed Him to visit that day. He had a very pleasant and a very difficult job to complete that day. He showed Abraham his commitment by joining him in person for dinner. He reiterated his covenant promise and even called Sarah on her lie. He made it real.
That is what the Lord wants with us. He does not want us to focus on a front to appear to be what we think God wants us to be. No, instead, He wants us to trust Him, follow the Lord, and be real. We must remember that it is God who is at work in us. He promised in Philippians to carry on that work to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. We do not need to check boxes to follow God, we need simply to trust Him above all other things. Abraham did, and it truly was counted for Him as righteousness. The same will hold true for us.
God Bless You
The Lord appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day. 2 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.
3 He said, “If I have found favor in your eyes, my lord,[a] do not pass your servant by. 4 Let a little water be brought, and then you may all wash your feet and rest under this tree. 5 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.”
6 So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah. “Quick,” he said, “get three seahs[b] of the finest flour and knead it and bake some bread.”
7 Then he ran to the herd and selected a choice, tender calf and gave it to a servant, who hurried to prepare it. 8 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.
9 “Where is your wife Sarah?” they asked him.
“There, in the tent,” he said.
10 Then one of them said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son.”
Now Sarah was listening at the entrance to the tent, which was behind him. 11 Abraham and Sarah were already very old, and Sarah was past the age of childbearing. 12 So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, “After I am worn out and my lord is old, will I now have this pleasure?”
13 Then the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really have a child, now that I am old?’ 14 Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son.”
15 Sarah was afraid, so she lied and said, “I did not laugh.”
But he said, “Yes, you did laugh.”
Walking With God 