Another Consequence of Accessing Grace through FaithWho through faith…obtained promises. (Hebrews 11:33b)

In our current section of Scripture, we have begun to consider a summarized testimony of God’s servants who experienced various consequences of accessing grace through faith. Two of these benefits were, they “subdued kingdoms” and “worked righteousness.” These are wonderful realities, but these accounts show that relying upon the Lord can produce more consequences than these.

Another rich blessing that came from trusting in God was that they “obtained promises.” Jeremiah, a mighty prophet of God, certainly experienced the benefit of fulfilled promises from the Lord. He was given a challenging call to root out and destroy entrenched ungodliness so that a fresh work of God might begin. “Behold, I have put My words in your mouth. See, I have this day set you over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out and to pull down, to destroy and to throw down, to build and to plant” (Jeremiah 1:9-10). The religious establishment would come strongly against him, but God promised to sustain and protect him. “‘They will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you. For I am with you,’ says the LORD, ‘to deliver you'” (Jeremiah 1:19). The promised opposition surely came. “Therefore the princes said to the king, ‘Please, let this man be put to death’…So they took Jeremiah and cast him into the dungeon…which was in the court of the prison” (Jeremiah 38:4, 6). More importantly, the promised rescue came as well. “So they pulled Jeremiah up with ropes and lifted him out of the dungeon. And Jeremiah remained in the court of the prison…then they sent someone to take Jeremiah from the court of the prison, and committed him to Gedaliah…that he should take him home. So he dwelt among the people” (Jeremiah 38:13; 39:14). Even more importantly, the Lord continued to speak to and through His servant in the midst of it all. “Now the word of the LORD had come to Jeremiah while he was shut up in the court of the prison” (Jeremiah 39:15).

We may not have a prophetic calling exactly like Jeremiah. However, we are all called “to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude v. 3). If we faithfully respond, many will oppose us as well. We, too, will need to “obtain promises.” We will need to rely upon God’s promised protection. “He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you’…So we may boldly say: ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?'” (Hebrews 13:5-6).

Lord God of promises, I need to obtain Your promises. I need to entrust myself to Your promised work in my life. So, I look to You again, not only to protect me as I serve You daily, but also to sustain the ministry You have given to me, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Daily Devotions – Fri. Nov.5,2021

TODAY’S READING: The Israelites Passing through the Red Sea, by Faith

By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned. (Hebrews 11:29)

By faith, Moses called God’s people to apply the blood of the Passover lamb that they might be delivered from the judgment that was to befall Egypt. “By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them“ (Hebrews 11:28). Then, Moses led the people out of Egypt, eventually passing through the Red Sea, by faith.

Instead of sending Israel directly north toward the promised land, the Lord sent them eastward toward the Red Sea. “So God led the people around by way of the wilderness of the Red Sea“ (Exodus 13:18). From the outset of their journey, the Lord became their guide. “And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light” (Exodus 13:21).

Yet, Pharaoh’s heart hardened against Israel once again. “So the Egyptians pursued them, all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, his horsemen and his army, and overtook them camping by the sea” (Exodus 14:9). Soon, the people were trapped between the formidable sea and a mighty army. They were overtaken with fear, so Moses pointed them to the Lord. “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will accomplish for you today“ (Exodus 14:13). Then, as the Lord had instructed him, “Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea into dry land, and the waters were divided. So the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea on the dry ground, and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand and on their left” (Exodus 14:21-22). Into this intimidating setting, by faith in the Lord, the children of Israel advanced. “By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land.”

Again, as the Lord commanded, Moses stretched out his hand over the sea. “Then the waters returned and covered the chariots, the horsemen, and all the army of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them. Not so much as one of them remained” (Exodus 14:28). The rebellious Egyptians could not follow where God’s people had gone by faith. “Whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned.”

Almighty God, when the way is blocked before me and an army of circumstances closes in behind me, help me to stand by faith, looking to You to open a way. Lord, I want to follow You, asking You to lead me where my enemies cannot go, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

DAILY PROMISES:

Jesus Comforts His Disciples – John 14:2-3

In my Father’s house are many mansions: if [it were] not [so], I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, [there] ye may be also. (John 14:2-3)

References:

John 13:33,36> “My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

John 12:36> Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.” When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them.

Reflection: Few verses in Scripture describe eternal life in detail, but these few verses are rich with promises. Here Jesus says ‘I am going there to prepare a place for you ‘and I will come back. ‘ We can look forward to eternal life because Jesus has promised it to all who believe in him. Although many specifics about eternity are unknown, we need not fear, because Jesus is preparing for us and will spend eternity with us.
What an awesome promise! Right now, Christ is preparing a heavenly place for us! How gracious is God for not only allowing us into heaven, but also giving us our own place, one that Jesus Himself has created! And when our time on earth is done, He will come to take us home.

(Psalm 9:9) Daily Promises

The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.

References: Psalm 32:7> You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.

Day By Day By Grace: Moses Keeping the Passover, by Faith
By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them. (Hebrews 11:28) Day by Day by Grace:

When Moses boldly led Israel out of Egypt, his fearlessness was based upon his faith in the true and living God. “By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them.” (Hebrews 11:28). His confidence in the invisible Lord God had been confirmed by what he saw regarding the Lord’s faithfulness when he kept the Passover, by faith.

The crushing blow of God’s judgment upon Egypt was the death of the firstborn in every household. “The LORD struck all the firstborn in the land of Egypt…So Pharaoh rose in the night…Then he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, ‘Go, serve the LORD as you have said'” (Exodus 12:29-31). Israel was delivered from this judgment by trusting in the Lord’s protection, which was provided through the shed blood of the Passover lamb. “Now the LORD spoke to Moses…every man shall take for himself a lamb…a lamb for a household…Then the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it at twilight. And they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and on the lintel of the houses where they eat it…For I will pass through the land of Egypt on that night, and will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt…I am the LORD. Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt” (Exodus 12:1, 3, 6-7, 12-13). Responding in faith, Moses and the Israelites were delivered. “By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them.”

We, too, are delivered from judgment by faith in the blood of the ultimate Passover Lamb. “Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us” (1 Corinthians 5:7). We who trust in the shed blood of Christ are forgiven, delivered from the eternal wages of sin by God’s abounding grace. “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace…For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Ephesians 1:7 and Romans 6:23). This eternal life (of endless duration and abundant dimensions) is ours through the New Covenant of grace. “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you” (Luke 22:20).

Lord Jesus, my Passover Lamb, I thank You for Your shed blood that rescued me from the eternal judgment that I deserved. I praise You for the abundance of life that Your New Covenant of grace brings to me, by faith!

Moses Leading Israel out of Egypt, by FaithBy faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible. (Hebrews 11:27)

Moses left Egypt on two occasions, under two different sets of circumstances. On the first occasion, he left Israel behind in Egypt, going out in fear. On the second occasion, he is seen leading Israel out of Egypt, by faith.

Moses’ first departure saw him fleeing for his life, fearing what the Pharaoh might do to him. Moses’ heart had been drawn to the people of God. He went out to consider their situation. “When Moses was grown…he went out to his brethren and looked at their burdens. And he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his brethren” (Exodus 2:11). Moses killed the Egyptian and buried him in the sand. When his brethren became aware of this reckless deed, Moses was frightened. “So Moses feared and said, ‘Surely this thing is known!’ When Pharaoh heard of this matter, he sought to kill Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh and dwelt in the land of Midian” (Exodus 2:14-15). So, Israel was left in Egypt in bondage, and Moses’ desire to see God’s people delivered was thwarted.

Moses’ second departure found him leaving courageously, with no fear of what Pharaoh might do. “By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king.” Much had transpired between these two departures. For forty years, Moses had humbly tended sheep on the back side of the desert. “Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian. And he led the flock to the back of the desert, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God” (Exodus 3:1). There, the Lord revealed Himself to Moses in a burning bush, sending him back into Egypt to demand the release of God’s people. “I am the God of your father-the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob…Come now, therefore, and I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring My people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt” (Exodus 3:6, 10). So, Moses boldly confronted one of the most powerful leaders in the world. “Thus says the LORD God of Israel: ‘Let My people go'” (Exodus 5:1). Then, the Lord performed awesome wonders until He caused the will of mighty Pharaoh to be broken. “The LORD struck all the firstborn in the land of Egypt…So Pharaoh rose in the night…Then he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, ‘Go, serve the LORD as you have said'” (Exodus 12:29-31). The ultimate difference in this second departure was that Moses had seen the Lord and had learned to trust in Him. “For he endured as seeing Him who is invisible.”

O Lord God, awesome deliverer, I know what it is to run away from situations in fear. I also know what it is to lead out in faith. The difference, Lord, is seeing who You are and what You alone can do. Please reveal Yourself to me that my faith might grow!

Daily Promise-Revelation 2:17

Daily Promises (November 3rd)

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth [it]. (Revelation 2:17)

Reflection
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, your mind, and your soul! (Deu 6:5, Luke 10:27) For He is ever the rewarder of those who seek Him! (Hebrews 11:6) Believe upon His name and taste the true manna from heaven, the true bread of life, the very Son of God! Ever will He sustain you and ever will your life be caught up with His, from life to death to glory everlasting. Praise His name and rejoice in the bounty of His hand!

Daily Day by Day by Grace

(Hebrews 11:24-26)

Moses Esteeming Christ’s Riches above Egypt’s, by Faith
By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward. (Hebrews 11:24-26)

By faith, Moses renounced his place of privilege in Pharaoh’s family, choosing to identify himself with God’s people. He knew that loss and suffering awaited him. Yet, he was strengthened by faith to make this life-shaping decision by esteeming Christ’s riches above Egypt’s.

When Moses identified with the Israelites, he was joining himself to the people of the Messiah, the Anointed One (the Christ). From the earliest days, the people of God had been promised an Anointed Deliverer. “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He [the Savior] shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel… I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you [by the coming of Messiah] all the families of the earth shall be blessed…The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh [the Prince of Peace] comes; and to Him shall be the obedience of the people” (Genesis 3:15; 12:3; and 49:10).

Yet, this heaven-sent King (Jesus), as well as His people, would encounter reproach. “He is despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him…Also the sons of those who afflicted you shall come bowing to you, and all those who despised you shall fall prostrate at the soles of your feet; and they shall call you The City of the LORD, Zion of the Holy One of Israel” (Isaiah 53:3 and 60:14). In spite of such reproach, Moses joined himself to the Messiah and His people. Moses understood that he was more blessed to stand with a divine, though despised, Messiah than to have all the material treasures of Egypt: “esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt.” He made this wise evaluation by considering the eternal consequences: “for he looked to the reward.” He anticipated eternal realities that subsequent men of God would powerfully proclaim. “God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever…Whereas you have been forsaken and hated…I will make you an eternal excellence, a joy of many generations” (Psalm 73:26 and Isaiah 60:15).

Dear Jesus, the Christ, my Messiah, I want to stand with You and Your people, even if it means sharing in Your reproach. I know that You will strengthen me now and be my portion forever. By Your eternal excellencies make me a joy to others now, as I await with eager anticipation Your everlasting kingdom, Amen.

Daily Promises – (Psalm 91:4-6)

He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth [shall be thy] shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; [nor] for the arrow [that] flieth by day; [Nor] for the pestilence [that] walketh in darkness; [nor] for the destruction [that] wasteth at noonday.

(NIV)

He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. Psa 91:5 -You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day,
Psa 91:6 -nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.

References: Ps.17:8> Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings

Ps.35:2> Take up shield and armor; arise and come to my aid.

Job 5:21>You will be protected from the lash of the tongue, and need not fear when destruction comes.

Focus Points: God shelters and protects us when we are afraid, sick, or in deep trouble. The writer’s faith in the almighty God as his protector would carry him through all of life’s dangers and fears. This is a picture of how we should trust God-trading all our fears for faith in him, no matter how intense they may be. To do this, we must “dwell” and “rest” with him. ((91:1).By entrusting our daily devotion to him, we acknowledge that he will keep us safe. Takie refuge in the Lord, O believer! Take courage in His mighty strength! Take comfort in His sure defense! Rejoice in the power of his hands to accomplish good for his people . He is strong and he is loving-so truth in Him and proclaim His truth boldly among the nations!

Daily Promises: Psalm 138:7 10/30/21

Theme: Thanksgiving for answered prayer. God works out his plans for our lives and will bring us through the difficulties we face.

verse 7> Though I walk (L) in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life. You stretch out your had against the anger of my foes; (M) with your right hand (N) you save me; (O) References:

L-Ps 23:4> Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

M- Jer.51:25> “I am against you, you destroying mountain, you who destroy the whole earth,”
declares the LORD. “I will stretch out my hand against you, roll you off the cliffs, and make you a burned-out mountain.

N- Ps.20:6> Now this I know: The LORD gives victory to his anointed. He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary with the victorious power of his right hand.

O- Ps.71:20> Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up.

Reflection
Fear not the troubled paths of your life. Give no concern to the sundry evils that press in upon you. Give your entire focus to the pursuit of the interests of the heavenly kingdom. Ever will the Shepherd protect His sheep. Ever will the King of all watch over the ways of His subjects. O believer, be not dismayed for neither shall you faint in weariness nor fall to the missiles of the enemy. Trust in Almighty God and proclaim the peace of His hand!

Daily Grace:

Joseph Also Viewing the Future, by Faith
By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel, and gave instructions concerning his bones. (Hebrews 11:22)

When Isaac and Jacob pronounced blessings upon their posterity, they exemplified viewing the future, by faith. When Joseph requested that his bones some day be buried in the land of promise, he was also viewing the future, by faith.

Joseph’s journey to leadership in Egypt was marked by alternating battles and blessings. His brothers had betrayed him and sold him into slavery. “Midianite traders passed by; so the brothers…sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. And they took Joseph to Egypt” (Genesis 37:28). Soon, Joseph found blessing under the care of Potiphar, an Egyptian captain who purchased him. “And his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD made all he did to prosper in his hand. So Joseph found favor in his sight, and served him. Then he made him overseer of his house, and all that he had he put in his hand” (Genesis 39:3-4).

Yet, another battle arose. Joseph was imprisoned when Potiphar’s wife lied. She resented Joseph’s refusal of her sensual advances. “‘He came in to me to lie with me, and I cried out with a loud voice’…Then Joseph’s master took him and put him into the prison” (Genesis 39:14, 20). But, more blessing came as the Lord granted Joseph favor with the prison keeper. “And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners…because the LORD was with him; and whatever he did, the LORD made it prosper” (Genesis 39:22-23). Another spiritual battle ensued, as one of Pharoah’s servants forgot Joseph’s kindness to him in prison. “The chief butler did not remember Joseph, but forgot him. Then it came to pass, at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh had a dream” (Genesis 40:23-41:1). Joseph’s interpretation of Pharoah’s dream would bring Joseph to his position of authority in Egypt. “You shall be over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word; only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you” (Genesis 41:40).

Faith in the Lord certainly sustained Joseph and brought him to God’s desired place of service and opportunity. Yet, our present verse reveals that Joseph’s basic interest was not his own blessing and advancement. Joseph had a heart for the plans and purposes of God. As he viewed the future, he was convinced that the Lord would some day bring His people back to the land of promise. His request to have his bones buried in the land of promise was an expression of his faith in God’s promises. “God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here” (Genesis 50:25).

Lord God of eternity, as I alternate between the battles and blessings of life, help me to view the future by faith. Remind me that Your everlasting purposes can guide and shape my temporal circumstances, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Daily Promises: Psalm 91:14 (KJV)

Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. (Psalm 91:14)

(NIV) ” Because he loves me” says the LORD” I will rescue him: I will protect him, for he acknowledged my name.

Reflection:

God will protect His own. Love is the avenue in which we can minister to God and we can recognize who He is by acknowledging His name. At the same time it is God who rescues us and lifts us up higher than the dangers at hand.

Daily Devotions – Fri. Oct.29,2021

DAY BY DAY BY GRACE :: TODAY’S READING

Isaac and Jacob Viewing the Future, by Faith
By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph. (Hebrews 11:20-21)

Since we have previously considered Abraham’s offering of Isaac (in the meditation on God’s promises on August 9), let’s move on to consider Isaac and Jacob. While pronouncing prophetic blessings upon their descendants, these two men became examples of viewing the future, by faith.

The example of Isaac actually occurred in the midst of a deceitful plot by one of his own sons. Isaac wanted to pass on a blessing to his oldest son, Esau. “Now it came to pass, when Isaac was old and his eyes were so dim that he could not see, that he called Esau his older son and said to him…’Make me savory food, such as I love, and bring it to me that I may eat, that my soul may bless you before I die'” (Genesis 27:1, 4). Jacob (the supplanter or “schemer”) disguised himself and lied to his father, attempting to steal the blessing. “And Jacob said to his father, ‘I am Esau your firstborn…sit and eat of my game, that your soul may bless me’…And he did not recognize him…so he blessed him” (Genesis 27:19, 23). Although Esau later was given a blessing as well, the blessing for Jacob passed on the headship of the family to this younger son. “Be master over your brethren, and let your mother’s sons bow down to you” (Genesis 27:29). When informed of the deceit, Isaac let the blessing stand. The Lord indicates this was an act of faith in the purposes of God.

The example of Jacob also occurred in an unusual setting. Joseph was bringing his two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, to his father for a family blessing. “Now the eyes of Israel were dim with age, so that he could not see. Then Joseph brought them near him, and he kissed them and embraced them” (Genesis 48:10). Joseph brought Ephraim (the younger) toward Jacob’s left hand and Manasseh (the firstborn) toward his right hand. However, Jacob crossed his hands, thereby switching the primary blessing. “And Joseph said to his father, ‘Not so, my father, for this one is the firstborn; put your right hand on his head.’ But his father refused and said, ‘I know, my son, I know. He also shall become a people, and he also shall be great; but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he'” (Gen 48:18-19).

These actions may not seem significant to us. Yet, the Lord lists them as notable steps of faith in Him. Why? Because these blessings reflected and instituted aspects of God’s sovereign plans, in spite of inappropriate scheming and established traditions.

O sovereign Lord, I bow in faith to Your perfect plans and purposes. What a comfort to know that Your will cannot be thwarted by inappropriate schemes or established traditions. Teach me to view the future with faith in Your wisdom and Your sovereignty.

Daily Promises for today – (Psalm 91:14)

Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

Reflection
God will protect His own. Love is the avenue in which we can minister to God and we can recognize who He is by acknowledging His name. At the same time it is God who rescues us and lifts us up higher than the dangers at hand.

Daily Grace, todays reading:

Abraham’s Obedient, Earthly Sojourn, by Faith
By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would afterward receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. (Hebrews 11:8-10)

Abraham provides one of the most profound studies concerning the extensive consequences of walking by faith. One lesson he offers is that trusting God enables us to obediently leave familiar settings to follow the Lord into new, uncertain situations. Beyond this, Abraham’s example sheds light on how to face our entire journey on earth. We see this in Abraham’s obedient, earthly sojourn, by faith.

God called Abraham to leave his familiar homeland and to follow Him to a new land that the Lord would give him. “Now the LORD had said to Abram: ‘Get out of your country, from your kindred and from your father’s house, to a land that I will show you'” (Genesis 12:1). Abraham obeyed the Lord by stepping out through faith into a monumental change. “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would afterward receive as an inheritance.” He trusted the Lord to lead him, even though he was given no indication of where this land would be. “And he went out, not knowing where he was going.” When he arrived in the land, his faith again was exercised by having to sojourn there, as if he were an alien in a foreign land. “By faith he sojourned in the land of promise as in a foreign country.” Year after year, he moved about in tents with his son and grandson, who were also promised this same land: “dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise.”

There certainly are times when the Lord calls us to follow Him into unknown territory. Only trusting our Lord, as Abraham did, will sustain us. Still, whether circumstances are shifting or stable, we are to face all of life’s journey as he did. This world is promised to God’s children some day. “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5). Until the Lord makes it so, we sojourn here as visitors (in the world, but not of it), walking with our God and being used by Him. Meanwhile, like Abraham, we are waiting by faith for an everlasting city that man cannot produce. “For he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.”

Lord God of Abraham, for any changes that You want to lead me into, I want to trust You, as Abraham did. Lord, for all of my sojourn here on earth, I look to You to keep me and use me—as I await Your return, Amen.