READING: Leviticus 15-18, Psalm 31, Hebrews 6
25 years.
That’s a long time.
That’s also how long Abraham waited to see the fulfillment of God’s promise to bless him with offspring via the birth of Isaac. That is, more than two decades passed as Abraham waited for God to keep His Word to him; as the writer of Hebrews concluded, “after waiting patiently, Abraham obtained the promise” (Heb 6:15). The father of the Hebrews showed his faith as he followed God, even striving to obey God’s command to sacrifice the very son God had given him (Gen 22:1-14). In the end, God re-affirmed His prior promise to Abraham that his offspring would be numerous and would bless the nations of the world (Gen 22:17-18).
Trusting God when the promises seem delayed, and then when trials mark our lives, is not easy. We who live in a microwave world want God to answer our prayers almost before we’ve prayed them—and we certainly don’t want to have to learn obedience through trial. What today’s New Testament reading shows us, however, is that it’s good to “be imitators of those who inherit the promises through faith and perseverance” (Heb 6:12).
May God through His Word and His Spirit teach us to trust Him patiently!
PRAYER: “God, help me to wait patiently on You.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Leviticus 19-20, Hebrews 7