June 23 – Daily Devotional

31 May June 23 – Daily Devotional

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON THE BOOK OF HEBREWS

BY FAITH – PART VI

Hebrews 11:8-12 “By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful who had made the promise. And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.”

The faith by which Abraham went to where he knew not where he was going. He trusted God to lead him to a good place for his family to live.  Yahweh was the source of Abraham’s faith.  In that faith he trusted God’s promises to him even when it appeared there was no way God would do what He had said He would do.  Imagine waiting for God’s promise of a son to happen, especially when he and his wife were beyond child bearing years.  Yet, as the writer to the Hebrews says, “. . .so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.”

The faith God gave Abraham is the same faith He gives you.  It comes from Him and clings to Him for all you need for body, mind, soul, and spirit. The Psalmist says of Yahweh, “You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing. The LORD is righteous in all His ways and faithful in all He does. The LORD is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth.” (Psalms 145:16-18) 

Look back over your life.  As you look back can you see special times in your life where today it is obvious that Yahweh did for you as He did for Abraham.  Perhaps it was a move to a new community, one where you knew no one.  Or, was it a new job that came about in almost a miraculous way.

Through Jesus, you have a Divine promise, “. . . surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20) Pray to God daily to give you faith, as He did to Abraham, to trust Him even in those times when it appears He will not give you those things for which you pray.  God give you the faith to pray to Him every day, “Not my will, but Your will be done.”

Prayer:  Grant me dear heavenly Father, faith to trust You at all times for all things temporal and spiritual.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

I leave all things to God’s direction; He loves me both in joy and woe.

His will is good, sure His affection; His tender love is true, I know.

My fortress and my rock is He:  What pleases God, that pleases me.

God knows what must be done to save me; His love for me will never cease.

Upon His hands He did engrave me With purest gold of loving grace.

His will supreme must ever be:  What pleases God, that pleases me.

My God desires the soul’s salvation; My soul He, too, desires to save.

Therefore with Christian resurrection All earthly troubles I will brave.

His will be done eternally:  What pleases God, that pleases me.

My God has all things in His keeping; He is the ever faithful friend.

He gives me laughter after weeping, And all His ways in blessings end.

His love endures eternally:  What pleases God, that pleases me.

(LSB 719)