God Speaks
A Call to Sacrifice, A Rescue, A Death and Burial and Seeking a Wife
Verse of the Day: [Whenever we are on a challenging assignment may we pray like Abraham’s servant.] “O LORD, God of my master Abraham, give me success today, and show kindness to my master Abraham.” (Genesis 24:12 NIV)
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We Respond
Reflection: Consider the following questions regarding Genesis 22-24
1. What does this chapter tell me about God?
2. What does this chapter tell me about the human beings He created?
Here is one possible answer to each of these questions. Ask the Holy Spirit if there are any others for you personally to ponder.
Genesis 22
1. God will sometimes test us by asking, “Whom do you love more (in this case Isaac the long awaited son) or Me, the LORD God.”
2. People who truly love and trust God will do whatever He says and see Him bless them more than they can imagine.
Genesis 23
1. God directs and comforts people in their sorrow and loss.
2. People should honor (but not worship) those who have passed from this life.
Genesis 24
1. God will guide people in very specific ways, if they will ask Him.
2. People who have witnessed God answer specific prayer can’t help but share it over and over again, just as Abraham’s servant did.
Prayer
3. How might I pray regarding Genesis 22-24?
Dear LORD God who both tests and rewards Your followers, thank You for Your presence during tests, trials, troubles, and tribulations. God, just as You tested Abraham’s faith, You test the faith of every believer at some time and in some way. LORD make me willing to obey You by going to an unspecified place and offer back to You as a sacrifice even a long-awaited promise that You have fulfilled. Help me to obey You regardless of the consequences. Father, You have already provided the required payment for my sins–death. Jesus was my substitute; He paid for my sins. I have been blessed by His obedience. Please reward Him with a further expansion of the kingdom of God as You promised in Isaiah 53:11,12. LORD, help me to honor (but not worship) those I hold dear who have passed from this life. LORD, please help me to ask specific requests according to Your word and will so that I can see You work out the plans You put in my heart and mind. Then make me as joyful a witness as Abraham’s servant. I and all who hear my story will rejoice and bring You glory, LORD, AMEN
Action (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on one of the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)
4. What action does the LORD want me to take in response to Genesis 22-24? With the help of God’s Holy Spirit:
- I will thank God that He is with me even as He is testing my faith. Because of that, I know I can pass the test.
- I will write up and carry out a plan to make arrangements for my will, funeral and burial in advance. Hopeully, this will make things easier for my loved ones.
- I will spend time reading God’s Word, conversing with God, and listening to Him so that I can receive my next assignment as His servant.
- I will ask God to forgive and cleanse me from sin so that I can be a clean vessel for His use.
Share
I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.