SCRIPTURE
Genesis 21:1-7 (NRSV)
God gives Abraham and Sarah a son
The Lord dealt with Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did for Sarah as he had promised. Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the time of which God had spoken to him. Abraham gave the name Isaac to his son whom Sarah bore him. And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac when he was eight days old, as God had commanded him. Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him. Now Sarah said, "God has brought laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh with me." And she said, "Who would ever have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age."
DEVOTION
Today’s scripture is a wonderful reminder that God is a promise keeper! Although Abraham and his wife Sarah were well past child bearing age, God had promised them a son! When Sarah bore Isaac, part of God’s promise was fulfilled to them. God had also promised to make their descendents as numerous as the stars…Although Abraham and Sarah did not live to see the fulfillment of that promise while on the Earth, it has most certainly has come to pass--just as God said it would.
There is another promise that God kept that is even more wonderful and astounding than the birth of Isaac, and that is the resurrection of Jesus! Toward the end of his life Jesus began to predict his death and resurrection in the company of his many, many followers. Although they did not understand what he was saying, Jesus was making them a very important promise.
Although things looked pretty grim on the day of his death, come Resurrection Morn, Jesus kept his promise. In fact, when the angel encountered the women at the tomb, the angel stated, “I know that you seek Jesus of Nazareth. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said!” (Matthew 28:6)
Isn’t that wonderful GOOD NEWS!
It is true that Jesus did lay down his life on an old rugged cross for you and for me. It is true that Jesus went to the cross—a place of degredation and shame—because God loves us so very much that God was willing to do anything—give anything—endure anything—to love us back into God’s loving arms!
But, it is also true that Jesus did not stay dead, he was risen from the dead, just as he promised! Because Jesus died and rose again, we are able to declare with sincerity to our friends and to our foes—GOD IS A PROMISE KEEPER!
In what ways do you need to pray for God to “increase your faith,” so that you can stand peacefully on the promises of God?
God, I thank you that your word is, “Yay and Amen.” I know that whatever you promise will always come to pass. Help me to rest in your great love for me, and to trust that no matter what I am going through, you have a good plan for my life, not to harm me, but to give me a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11)! I am hopeful today and I will share that hope with others. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Good News has now added a prayer ministry. If you have a prayer request or praise report, or would like to pray for others, please click the link found under my profile picture. Thank you!
The Good News Living Book Club will be reading Hinds Feet On High Places by Hannah Hurnard during March. You can purchase the book by clicking the link to the right. Please mark your calendars for our very first book club meeting to be held on Saturday, March 28, 2009, at 9:00am.
You are invited to leave comments or questions regarding today’s devotional. These comments are public.
EACH ONE--REACH ONE! To share GOOD NEWS with a friend please click the "Share With Friends" button to the right! Thanks for reading and please come again.
Pastor Yolanda extends a very special welcome to our friends reading outside of the United States of America! We are honored that you are sharing with us today.
From Pastor Yolanda’s blog http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/
No comments:
Post a Comment