June 25 – Daily Devotional

31 May June 25 – Daily Devotional

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON THE BOOK OF HEBREWS

BY FAITH – PART VIII

Hebrews 11:17-19 “By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had embraced the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son,  even though God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.”  Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead, and so in a manner of speaking he did receive Isaac back from death.”

It is beyond comprehension that God asked Abraham to sacrifice his one and only Son Isaac.  Sarah and he had waited decades for the son God had promised them.  They had their son and then God tells Abraham to go off into a mountain to sacrifice him.  The emotions, confusion, and yet faith and determination Abraham and Sarah must have experienced was truly beyond the normal.  Abraham, the writer to the Hebrews says, “reasoned that God could even raise the dead. . .”  He took his one and only son, headed off to the designated mountain to faithfully carry out God’s command.  His love and trust in God was greater than his love for his son.

The writer of today’s verses wrote that this command of God to Abraham was a test of Abraham’s faith.  It was a most difficult one, wasn’t it?  Why would God even consider such a test?  This is the question that is often asked when bad things happen in the lives of God’s people.  Why would God permit such a thing to happen?

First, the Bible says, “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor?” “Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them?” For from Him and through Him and for Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen. (Romans 11:34-36) Jesus taught you to pray, “Not my will, Your will be done . . .” (Third Petition of The Lord’s Prayer)  Also, remember with every test you have God’s promise, “No temptation (test) has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)

For Abraham God provided a ram to sacrifice in place of his son Isaac.  For you God provided His Son Jesus to die for your sins so you would not need to die eternally for them.  God is faithful, providing a way for you to endure all the trials, tribulations and tests that come your way.

Prayer:  God, lead me safely through all the tests and trials that come my way for Jesus’ sake.  Amen.

The Lord’s my shepherd, I’ll not want; He makes me down to lie

In pastures green; He leadeth me The quiet waters by.

MY soul He doth restore again And me to walk doth make

Within the paths of righteousness, E’en for His own name’s sake.

Yea, though I walk in death’s dark vale, Yet will I fear no ill;

For Thou art with me, and Thy rod And staff me comfort still.

My table Thou has furnished In presence of my foes;

My head Thou doest with oil anoint, And my cup overflows.

Goodness and mercy all my life Shall surely follow me;

And in God’s house forevermore My dwelling place shall be.

(LSB 710)