Today's Scripture: Genesis 21-24
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If God is for us, who can be against us? - Romans 8:31
When should we expect life to get easier? When we graduate--when we marry--when we retire?
Today's passage contains a story that seems to nullify God's great promise that in Abraham all the families of the earth would be blessed. He is to take his son, Isaac, into the land of Moriah and kill him--offer him as a sacrifice upon one of the mountains. Verse 1 tells us this command came to him "after these things." After what things? After all the hardships and difficulties Abraham already had gone through.
All the tests and trials we have endured will not prevent other tests from coming our way. But these things need not destroy us nor wreck our faith. On the contrary, if you and I respond as Abraham did, in obedience and faith, these tough battles and trials can be the crowning moments of our lives.
Once I drove a small car from Colorado to Arizona for my son-in-law. In New Mexico I encountered violent crosswinds. It was all I could do to keep the car on the road. Suddenly I noticed a hawk flying right in front of me with his wings spread majestically, and he wasn't moving a feather! The winds that almost blew me off the road were just carrying that hawk higher and higher. And I thought, For Christians, tough times are supposed to do that--just bring us higher and higher, closer to the Lord.
Christian, what winds are knocking you around today? Family matters? Finances? Ill health? When Abraham faced his toughest test, he looked to the Lord. By God's grace and strength, you and I can do that, too.
Prayer
Lord, I will trust and obey You, no matter what. Amen.
To Ponder
God has determined that we should become conformed to the image of His Son.
When should we expect life to get easier? When we graduate--when we marry--when we retire?
Today's passage contains a story that seems to nullify God's great promise that in Abraham all the families of the earth would be blessed. He is to take his son, Isaac, into the land of Moriah and kill him--offer him as a sacrifice upon one of the mountains. Verse 1 tells us this command came to him "after these things." After what things? After all the hardships and difficulties Abraham already had gone through.
All the tests and trials we have endured will not prevent other tests from coming our way. But these things need not destroy us nor wreck our faith. On the contrary, if you and I respond as Abraham did, in obedience and faith, these tough battles and trials can be the crowning moments of our lives.
Once I drove a small car from Colorado to Arizona for my son-in-law. In New Mexico I encountered violent crosswinds. It was all I could do to keep the car on the road. Suddenly I noticed a hawk flying right in front of me with his wings spread majestically, and he wasn't moving a feather! The winds that almost blew me off the road were just carrying that hawk higher and higher. And I thought, For Christians, tough times are supposed to do that--just bring us higher and higher, closer to the Lord.
Christian, what winds are knocking you around today? Family matters? Finances? Ill health? When Abraham faced his toughest test, he looked to the Lord. By God's grace and strength, you and I can do that, too.
Prayer
Lord, I will trust and obey You, no matter what. Amen.
To Ponder
God has determined that we should become conformed to the image of His Son.
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