The Story: Chapter 2 The Bible: Genesis 15-16
Genesis 15:12-16 When the sun went down, Abram fell sound asleep, and great terror overwhelmed him. Then the LORD said to Abram, “Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a foreign country. They will be enslaved and oppressed for 400 years. But I will execute judgment on the nation that they will serve. Afterward they will come out with many possessions. But as for you, you will go to your ancestors in peace and be buried at a good old age. In the fourth generation your descendants will return here, for the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its limit.” [meanwhile…]
Genesis 16:1 Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had not given birth to any children…
Abram had already received a promise from the LORD that his descendants would be like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone is able to count the dust of the earth, then your descendants also can be counted (c.f., Genesis 13:16). However at this point, the promise has not yet been fulfilled and even a quick glance at the nations around him fills Abram’s heart with concerns of what will happen to his children, grandchildren, and so on. Abram sleeps but it is a night filled with terror and overwhelming imaginations.
The LORD God steps in to give Abram reassurance that his promise to Abram will be kept. It comes with a bit of somber news. Abram will not live to see the complete fulfillment of God’s promise, but he will die in peace at a good old age. The promise will be kept and Abram can know this for certain (Gen. 15:13).
The lesson we learn is that God never gives up. The prayers we offer for our children and grandchildren will remain in God’s memory even when we are no longer living. What a tremendous comfort for those of us who continually pray for the salvation of children, grandchildren, friends, and neighbors. We are not promised absence of difficulty or challenges in our life nor theirs, but we are promised God’s continual presence, love, and grace to those who call upon him.
Today’s Prayer Suggestion: Continue to offer prayers for the salvation of loved ones. In addition, offer prayers of thanksgiving to the LORD that he hears our prayers and for the answers that will come whether we remain alive to see them fulfilled or whether they are fulfilled after our life comes to a close. Either way, thank the LORD for answered prayers.
The devotional Promises Kept and Answered Prayers appeared first on Write From My Heart at
https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com
Email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com
The Scriptures quoted are from the NET Bible® http://netbible.com copyright © 1996, 2019 used with permission from Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. All rights reserved.
General format for WFMH devotionals will follow the pattern of chapters outlined in The Story: The Bible as One Continuing Story of God and His People, M. Lucado & R. Frazee, Zondervan, 2005, 2008, 2011.
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