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Daily Devotions

Genesis

Genesis 
Day 
Day 138

"May He remember all your offerings, And accept your burnt sacrifice." Psalm 20:3

Text: Genesis 22:1-24

“BECAUSE YOU HAVE DONE THIS THING…”

What a wondrous word of encouragement this is! We have a direct mention of how God appreciates the expression of our faith in Him, and our love for Him. This truth was implied when God accepted the offering of Abel, while rejecting Cain’s (Cf. Genesis 4:1-5). It was also implied strongly when Noah offered a burnt sacrifice to God after the Universal Flood (Cf. Genesis 8:20-22).

This time, with specific reference to Abraham’s offer to sacrifice Isaac, God made a pointed reply! “BECAUSE…” Abraham had not withheld his beloved son, he will now be truly greatly blessed! It is vital to note that Abraham did not offer his son in order to win this special blessing of God! His offering up of Isaac was out of a heart of love for the Lord!


BE CAREFUL OF PRESUMPTION!

It is vital that we do not end up being presumptuous as we worship the Lord and as we bring our offerings to Him. Let us ponder the classic text found in Psalm 20. May we ever be humble before the Lord!

“May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble;
May the name of the God of Jacob defend you;
May He send you help from the sanctuary,
And strengthen you out of Zion.
May He remember all your offerings,
And accept your burnt sacrifice.
May He grant you according to your heart’s desire,
And fulfill all your purpose.”

PSALM 20:1-4


“BLESSING I WILL BLESS YOU”

In classic Semitic , the words of promise were uttered, “Blessing I will bless you”. This translates as, “Surely, I will bless you”. The words of promise were not new. They were uttered on previous occasions. Let us consider the reiteration of the promises. Let us ponder just three aspects:-

1. With personal reference to Abraham

“Blessing I will bless you…”

Genesis 22:17

2. With reference to Descendants

“And multiplying I will multiply your descendants…”

Genesis 22:17

3. With reference to the world at large

“In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed…”

Genesis 22:18


A GREAT CHALLENGE TO WALK IN HUMBLE OBEDIENCE

Great blessings came to Abraham and his posterity because of “obedience” (Genesis 22:18). Let us seek to train ourselves to walk in full obedience to the Lord!