Devotionals

Hebrews 11:8

Hebrews 11 has been called “the hall of faith”—and for good reason. Beginning with one of the first people on earth, the author traces the essential quality of faith through Hebrew history, highlighting 10 great men and women. Abraham receives extended treatment as the writer follows his spiritual journey through its heights, down into its depths, and back up again. In a short space, Abraham is measured and found worthy of imitation.

James 2:23

Direct interchanges between God and individuals don’t occur often in Scripture. But in Abraham’s life, his interchange with God takes the form of a true dialogue, a back-and-forth conversation between friends. But make no mistake—while the two shared this remarkably free exchange, God didn’t become Abraham’s “buddy.” Abraham never lost respect for the Lord’s awesome, holy omnipotence; after all, he built more than one altar for the purpose of sacrificing to the God he worshipped.

Genesis 25:8-9

Don’t cry for Abraham. Don’t mourn his death. Don’t grieve his departure. Rejoice! Celebrate him. Look at what he made of his life and his final years on earth.

I’ve said all along that Abraham’s story is our story. This particular narrative of how he died a satisfied man holds at least two valuable secrets to our finishing well. One has to do with being faithful; the other has to do with being diligent.

The first secret: faithfully remember that each day offers opportunities for staying young at heart.

Genesis 25:5-6

Before Abraham died, he took good care of all his children, establishing each of his sons financially as they left the nest and started families of their own. He had evidently learned from the mistake he’d made with Ishmael and Hagar, whom he had sent away with inadequate provisions.

Genesis 25:7-8

Ever thought about how you hope to die? I’m not necessarily talking about your literal death; I’m really asking about how you intend to live until you die. What will be the condition of your mind and your heart when death comes for you? How will you spend your days prior to taking your final breath?

Genesis 24:57-58

In response to Eliezer’s prayer, the Lord directed Abraham’s servant to a woman from Abraham’s family clan—a woman of uncommon character who worshipped the one true Creator. And in addition to all that, she was pretty! All systems were a go, except...Would Rebekah be willing to travel 500 miles away from everything familiar to marry a complete stranger?

Genesis 24:12, 14

When Abraham was growing old, he knew it was time to find a suitable wife for Isaac. To accomplish the all-important task, Abraham called on his most trusted employee, Eliezer. This assignment was so important he would entrust it to no other man. “Swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and earth, that you will not allow my son to marry one of these local Canaanite women. Go instead to my homeland, to my relatives, and find a wife there for my son Isaac” (Genesis 24:3-4).

Genesis 23:1-2

For the first part of their life together, Abraham and Sarah worshipped many gods. Then they received a visit from the one true Creator God, who said, in effect, “I have chosen you to become My models of faith. Through My relationship with you and your descendants, I will redeem the world from sin and evil.”

Genesis 22:16-18

As Abraham and Isaac headed up the mountain, before Abraham knew how God would intervene, he assured his son that God would provide the sacrifice. And sure enough, God provided a lamb: “Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught by its horns in a thicket. So he took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering in place of his son. Abraham named the place Yahweh-Yireh (which means ‘the LORD will provide’)” (Genesis 22:13-14). A more literal translation of the Hebrew expression Yahweh-Yireh would be “the Lord will see to it.”

Genesis 22:1-2

Some years after receiving Isaac, as promised by God, the time had come for Abraham’s faith to be put to the supreme test. God is, of course, omniscient. He doesn’t put people to a test to see how well their faith responds under fire; He prepares tests of faith to show us what He has made of us lately.