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).