Winter 2000
Our Response to His Presence
Jim Laws

In Genesis 18:1, the Lord appeared to Abraham in the heat of the day as he sat in the door of his tent, in the plains of Mamre. This speaks of a time of intense pressure and trial. Yet when Abraham saw the three men approaching, he ran to meet them, bowed himself and worshipped.

This is how the Lord desires us to respond to Him - “in the heat of our day.” When the Lord’s presence comes, we are to run to minister to the Lord, welcoming His presence.

Abraham ministered to the Lord by bringing water to Him and preparing something for Him to eat. He did not wait for the Lord to minister to him, but rather, at an importune time, he ran to minister to the Lord.

In the amplified version, Genesis 18:5 reads, “I will bring a morsel of bread to refresh and sustain your hearts before you go on, for this is why you have come to your servant.”

If Abraham had stayed seated in his tent door, the Lord may have passed by. He was looking for someone in that evil day who would refresh his heart. This is similar to the time in which we live. As then, the Lord will come to us to refresh us. Like Abraham, we must put our own cares and troubles aside, and to run to minister to the Lord Himself.

Recently, I felt a strong sense of the Lord's presence. We had just returned home and the children had worn us out. We were anxious to get them to bed so we could relax and rest. I felt that I was to turn aside and respond to His presence, so I went upstairs to be alone with the Lord. I was so tired that I told the Lord I would lie on the bed and wait upon Him.

I felt a prick in my spirit and I knew that I could not do this. I continued to make excuses since I was very tired, but the Lord began to deal with me concerning my priorities. He asked if these things were more important than His presence being with me.

I knew that I could not settle for less than His best, so I went back down stairs and began to wait on the Lord, for His presence was still very strong. The Lord caused me to understand that I was not the first one He had visited that night, as He had gone to several others and had been ignored, or turned away. Then the Lord revealed to me how greatly He desires these special times of fellowship with those who will respond as Abraham had responded.

The Lord often comes at times that are not convenient for us, to see if we will put Him first by turning aside from all else to have fellowship with Him.

If Abraham had not responded as he did, the Lord may not have revealed to him that a year later, he would have a son. It was just after this visit from the Lord that Abraham interceded for Lot, and he was delivered. Although it was during the heat of the day, Abraham made the right choice and turned aside to minister to the Lord. In turn, the Lord ministered to him.

It is important for us, that whatever may constitute the “heat of the day” in our circumstances, that we turn aside and minister to the Lord.