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Daily Devotions

Genesis

Genesis 
Day 
Day 117

"Oh, continue Your lovingkindness to those who know You, And Your righteousness to the upright in heart." Psalm 36:10

Text: Genesis 21:1-34

A GOD WHO ALWAYS FULFILLS HIS PROMISES

It was God who initiated the relationship with Abraham. It was God who gave him promise after stupendous promise! He always fulfilled His word of promise, even if Abraham was found to be weak and sinful! God had promised that Abraham would have a child of his own, and true to His word, a child was born to Sarah.

“And the Lord visited Sarah as He had said,
and the Lord did for Sarah as He had spoken.
For Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age,
at the set time of which God had spoken to him.”

GENESIS 21:1-2

1. “As He said…”

God wanted both Sarah and Abraham to learn a deep and vital lesson! They must learn to have absolute trust in the word spoken to them! Did God say that He would visit them? Then they must count on it. He would keep His word!

2. “As He had spoken…”

What a challenge to the faith of Sarah and Abraham! Did the Lord promise that Sarah would have a child within the year? Then He would fulfill what He had spoken to her!

3. “At the set time of which God had spoken to him…”

Once again, there was a firm reminder that God would fulfill all that He had said – to the minutest detail. What a boost to the faith of Sarah and Abraham to see how God fulfilled His promises!


ABRAHAM’S RESPONSE TO A FAITHFUL GOD

How did Abraham respond this time round? Happily, his faith shone brightly as he named his son. Two aspects of his faith may be highlighted!

“And Abraham called the name of his son who was born to him –
whom Sarah bore to him – Isaac.”

GENESIS 21:3

1. A reminder of their skepticism

Both Sarah and Abraham were guilty of skepticism concerning the promise of a son born through natural process (Cf. Genesis 17:17 recorded Abraham’s laughter; Cf. Genesis 18:12 recorded Sarah’s). Naming their son Isaac would remind them not to be too skeptical. They must endeavour to exercise more faith in the future!

2. In obedience to the Lord

It was the Lord who decided that Abraham’s son would be called “Isaac” (Cf. Genesis 17:19). Abraham determined that he would indeed name his son Isaac, out of holy regard for the Word of the Lord given to him.