The Test of Faith
Vayera —וַיֵּרָא
“The LORD appeared to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre, while he was sitting at the tent door in the heat of the day.”
(Genesis 18:1)
Abraham’s life is marked by encounter, obedience, and testing.
He welcomes strangers and entertains angels unaware.
He intercedes for the wicked, trusts God for the impossible, and lays his son upon the altar with unwavering faith.
The LORD appears, the promise is spoken, and Sarah laughs.
Not in disbelief alone, but in the tension between faith and waiting.
Years of hope deferred can dull the edge of expectation, but God remains faithful.
At the appointed time, Isaac is born, laughter is restored, and God’s covenant promise is renewed.
In this portion, we see God’s mercy and His justice side by side.
He listens to Abraham’s intercession for Sodom yet upholds righteousness.
He remembers Lot and rescues him, but warns that compromise and disobedience lead to ruin.
He tests Abraham through the binding of Isaac, the akeidah, and Abraham’s obedience reveals a heart fully surrendered.
Faith is not proven by comfort but by costly trust.
In every trial, God refines His people and reveals His heart.
In every delay, He teaches us to wait with hope.
And in every test, He provides what is needed.
This Week’s Reading
Torah: Genesis 18–22.
The LORD appears to Abraham. Sarah laughs and conceives. Sodom and Gomorrah are judged. Isaac is born, Ishmael sent away, and Abraham is tested through the offering of Isaac.
Prophets: 2 Kings 4:1–37.
Elisha multiplies oil for a widow and raises a child from death, echoing the faith and promises of Abraham’s line.
Gospel: Luke 17:28–37.
Jesus recalls the days of Lot, warning His disciples to remain ready and faithful when the Son of Man is revealed.
How to Use This Journal
The steps that follow can be walked through personally or with your Huddle.
Take them to heart in prayer, or share them in community.
Whether alone or together, let the Word move from reflection to practice, from practice to response, and from response to a life lived sent.
WORD
Read Genesis 18–22.
Observe how Abraham’s faith deepens through hospitality, intercession, promise, and sacrifice.
What does God’s appearance teach you about His nearness and timing?
How does Sarah’s laughter mirror the human struggle between doubt and faith?
What does Abraham’s intercession for Sodom reveal about God’s mercy?
How does the akeidah, the binding of Isaac, point to the obedience of Christ and the Father’s love?
Read 2 Kings 4 and see the same God of promise raising life from what was barren.
Read Luke 17:28–37 and remember that the faith of Abraham still speaks: live ready, not distracted.
WONDER
Take time to be still before the Lord.
Let His Word search your heart.
Where have you grown weary in waiting?
What promises feel delayed or forgotten?
What tests are revealing what you truly trust in?
Remember: faith is not just believing that God can, it is trusting when He doesn’t yet.
Sarah’s laughter became joy.
Abraham’s obedience became legacy.
The same God still fulfills every promise in His time.
WALK
Move from reflection to obedience.
Welcome — Open your life to others as Abraham opened his tent.
Intercede — Pray for your city, your family, and even those far from faith.
Wait — Trust God’s timing; His word will not fail.
Obey — When tested, choose faith over fear.
Worship — Build altars in the unseen moments, remembering that God provides.
Living Sent This Week
Vayera calls us to live by faith that sees beyond the visible.
Like Abraham, we are called to welcome, to intercede, to trust, and to obey.
Every act of faith, every “yes” to God, becomes a seed of covenant blessing.
This week, open your tent to the presence of God.
Pray for those far from Him.
Wait with expectation.
And walk in obedience, knowing that the God who appeared to Abraham still appears to those who seek Him.
He is faithful.
He is present.
And He provides.