21 days before Christmas! For a long time, Abraham had been waiting for God to give him a son. God finally gave Abraham a son when he was 100 years old, and his wife was 90 years old. It was a miracle birth because of their age. Genesis 17:19 says, "Then God said, 'Yes, but your wife Sarah will bear you a son, and you will call him Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him.'" God would fulfill His promise to Abraham that He would become a great nation and that His descendants would be blessed to all the families of the world through Isaac. However, God had to test Abraham's faithfulness first before he would continue to fulfill His promise or covenant by asking Abraham to sacrifice Isaac on Mount Moriah. It is interesting that where Jesus died and was resurrected was in the region of Mount Moriah. The Temple of God was eventually built on Mount Moriah and was destroyed by the Roman Empire in 70 A.D. Abraham was about to kill Isaac for the sacrifice when God stopped him. Abraham had proven that he was faithful to obey God, even when he didn't understand it completely. It was at that time that God's covenant with Abraham was solidified.
We could say that Isaac was a miracle child, just like our Lord Jesus. Since Adam and Eve fell into sin, God had been planning for a Savior to come to save us from our sins. God chose Abraham and his descendants to carry out His plan to bring the Savior to this world. Isaac eventually had two sons, Esau and Jacob, and one of them would carry the promise that God had promised Abraham. Isaac became one of the instruments God used to bring our Lord Jesus to this world. It is amazing to see how God worked through circumstances to fulfill His promise. Let us not weary or get tired of trusting our God because He is always active, working behind the scenes to fulfill His promise to us. We may feel discouraged by where we are at this time, but let us not lose heart because everything is possible for God to fulfill His purpose in our lives.
Let us not lose heart when we are overwhelmed. God is faithful to carry out His purpose and plan in our lives. He will carry us through this life, just as he worked throughout history to bring the Savior of the world to us.
Questions for application: (Think through these questions carefully, meditate on them while answering them, and let the Spirit of God speak to you.) What did God ask Abraham to do to test his faithfulness? What can you learn from today's devotion? Why should I not lose heart in my current situation?
Take a moment to write down all your worries today. Then, lift them to God in prayer, surrendering them to His will and trusting in His guidance.
Prayer:
Dear Father in Heaven, thank you for your faithfulness in fulfilling your purpose and plan in this world. Please help me not to be discouraged by my disappointment. Please help me believe that you are at work in all my situations and faithful to fulfill your wonderful plan in my life. Please guide me today. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
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