Tuesday, July 7, 2020

STARS & SAND

Today’s Reading: Genesis 22-23

Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).

 

The sands from the Mediterranean have blown through the aqueduct arches at Caesarea.

Key Verse: Genesis 22:17

…blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies.

 

After a long period of testing, Abraham and Sarah had their own little son. How they rejoiced! How they loved him! But now a new test confronted Abraham. He probably spent the whole night in tears, wrestling in prayer. Would God really make such a request? Finally, as the sun began to rise, Abraham obeyed, took Isaac up Mt. Moriah, and placed him on the altar. Then God gave the boy back to his Dad and promised great blessing on Abraham and his descendants. God is faithful! He has provided the Sacrifice of His own Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! Abraham said to his servant, “Stay here and I will go yonder and worship, and WE will return.” He knew God would be faithful to His promise about Isaac. He also knew that the highest expression of worship is OBEDIENCE!!!

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Father God, here I am to worship You. Yes, I worship with words of praise and thanksgiving; I worship You with songs; I gather with other believers to worship You in public gatherings; but grant me the grace to always worship You through my obedience to Your revealed will. Through Jesus Christ, my Lord, I pray. Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

In the picture above is one of Israel’s sand beaches. Can you imagine counting each grain of sand. When in Jerusalem in the vicinity of Mt. Moriah where the Temple once stood, I’m filled with strong emotions each time I have spoken to brothers and sisters in our group about the Sacrifice of Jesus on the very place where God said to Abraham, “Because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son, in blessing I will bless you.” Tears fill my eyes as I type this, for God did not withhold His only Son, but gave Him as the final Sacrifice. No wonder Abraham was called the “friend of God” (James 2:23).

In Christ’s love and service,

David

P.S. My son Ron and his wife Ann were married on this day in 1984 (photo below). They are the blessed couple who help me daily. Ron formats the blog (I fill in the blanks) and Ann is my proofreader. Congratulations! I love you my son and daughter-in-love! Ron & Ann now lead a marriage ministry called Heart to Heart Marriage & Family Ministries and host a marriage TV show called A Better Us (click HERE for info).

20 thoughts on “Tuesday, July 7, 2020

  1. Such a powerful, defining moment in scripture for what it teaches us, as it did Abraham. He did not doubt but obeyed God’s test, without question, based on the solid ground and history of their relationship. Life is a test and God’s will in our lives and our obedience to Him and His Word prevail for a good life. We are Your servants Lord. We give You all the thanks and praise. Wishing all saints a blessed day in the Lord. Amen.

    Happy Anniversary Ron and Ann! You look so beautiful, Ann! You haven’t changed! God’s continued blessings upon you both and your family!!

    And those who know your name put their trust in you,
    for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.
    Psalm 9:10 ESV

    Pat Barrett – Build My Life (Lyric Video) (ft. Cory Asbury)
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZW4_8_zCBE

  2. Thank You, Father God, for the beautiful prayer from David, and for answering it! Please give that grace to worship You through our obedience to all Your children, Lord. Your will is good, and we pray that You are exalted throughout this Earth by Your obedient children. In Jesus’s most obedient name, amen

  3. I mentioned the story of Abraham & his only son to an elderly widow lady (of 2 yrs), who is not doing well because of the loss of her husband. I told her that Jesus must be first in our lives @ any cost. I believe that is how I got through grief 5 years ago when my husband went to be with the Lord. She thanked me for reminding her of Abraham’s obedience. The dear soul is 91. I pray that she will find peace as she understands God’s care for her.

    • Doreen,many in certain grieving sites have taken comfort from my poems (long story).Perhaps you could share this with your friend.With this one I always had a picture of a hand reaching down from a cloud holding Jesus’ hand with another hand reaching up to ‘his other hand’,only inches away.I hope it brings you comfort too.(The poems came to me about as fast as I could type them.I was ‘only His pen’.)God bless
      His Other Hand

      Do not linger in your sorrow,
      For your grief just brings fear,
      I want for you a happy tomorrow,
      For our hearts are always near.

      Keep always looking to the sky,
      For in it’s beauty truth is found
      And like me,truth does not die,
      While in truth can love expound.

      Take hold of His outstretched hand,
      Keep Him as close as I would be,
      For what you fail to understand,
      Is His other hand is holding me.
      G W (Bill) Marshall / Dec 3,2012

  4. God could not put His obedient friend through what He Himself would go through later when He sacrificed Jesus,His only Son,publicly (for ‘the public’).In Abraham’s mind,Issac was dead for 3 days as they travelled to Mt Moriah where the Lord gave him back to Issac.Issac could have changed his mind during those 3 days but he trusted God strongly suspecting a good outcome.That is faith and obedience.
    Congratulations to Ron and Anne on this happy occasion.God bless

  5. I pray for this elderly widow as well Doreen.
    I understand grief as well, the loss of a spouse leave such a deep emptiness… but yet as you say Jesus is there to comfort and he also brings people into our lives to bring his comfort and hope!

    May God bless you for being his hand extended to this grieving lady.

  6. WHAT A LOVELY COUPLE!!!
    HAPPY WEDDING ANNIVERSARY!!!
    BE BLESSED ON THIS YOUR SPECIAL DAY, AND INTO THE YEARS TO COME

  7. John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life”
    Thank you Father for your Great love and sacrifice!!!! Thank You Jesus for Your obedience to YOUR FATHER, and for giving your life that we may live with You eternally, Amen and Amen!!

    Abraham was obedient, trusting GOD.

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