God gave Abram two key promises: nationhood and his blessing. All Abram had to do was go claim his land.
But when famine engulfed the land, desperation led Abram to flee for Egypt and its food.
Faith and Desperation
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Posts tagged "promises"
Faith and Success
Instead of lacking food, Abram now had great wealth. Would Abram trust God when he didn’t ‘need’ him? (1)Yes, he would! Learning from his previous failure that God protects his promises, Abram gave Lot first choice knowing his choice would not affect God’s promises.
Read MoreOn the Tide of Tears
My aging father and I climbed in his van and drove through town. He wanted to show me a narrow slice of land he’d recently bought, he told me. A hill or two later, we pulled over to the side of a gravel road, parked, and got out.
Read MoreMilestones
Significant encounters can be defining, unforgettable moments. These may occur on a park bench, a golf course, in a fishing boat or in a particular place or room in a house. They are milestones.
But time passes and we do forget. While Jacob was escaping from the wrath of his brother Esau, he had stopped for the night at a place called Bethel.
Read MoreI Give You My Word
“I promise . . . ” “Take my word for it . . . ” Famous last words from people who make promises only to break them. We take someone at their word to discover their word didn’t amount to much. Marriage vows are no longer taken seriously. Relationships are full of heartache and disappointment, misuse and abuse. Trust is nowhere to be found.
Such was the case with the children of Israel.
Read MoreA Promising Future
God’s plan is far reaching. It has continuity. The past promises connect to the future and also connect our lives to a promising future. The passing of time and events do not change that.
When the exiled returned home they possibly wondered if God would still fulfill the promises made to David. It had been a long time and their lives were different now.
Commentators suggest that Psalm 132 was a prayer for God to remember his covenant, which ensured that his presence and power would be with his people and that David’s line would continue.
Read MoreThe Master Pedagogue at Work
Jesus was the master teacher and Mark does a masterful job drawing us into the story he recounts to his community. We are in the very centre of the Gospel. We arrive at the “hinge” to which Mark has been taking us. Interesting enough, the only ones who recognize him to this point in the story are the evil spirits. It is time to ask the critical questions of his followers. Like a good teacher, he begins with an open question, “Who do people say that I am?” Upon their response, he asks what any perceptive teacher would ask, “But what about you? Who do you say I am?”
Read MoreThe Faith of Two Women
Luke’s narrative here is remarkably focussed. (I wonder what Mary’s parents thought? No mention. Did she travel the 100 kilometers to Elizabeth’s home on her own? No mention.) Other things are surprisingly emphasized (Mary’s greeting of Elizabeth). This is a clue as to what we need to pay attention to here.
No wonder Mary “hurried” (v 39). She had just received what must be the most stunning news in all history!
Read MoreI Promise
The oldest of David’s sons, Adonijah, decided to “exalt” himself (KJV) in light of his father’s frailty and proclaim himself king. He began by enlisting the support of several of the nation’s key leaders. Nathan, the prophet, heard about this and quickly plotted with Solomon’s mother, Bathsheba, to preempt the coup d’état. He told her to remind King David of a vow he had made to her that Solomon would be his successor to the throne.
Read MoreRiding the Roller-Coaster
I love the unrestrained thrill of roller-coasters with their gut-wrenching twists and turns, their surprising lurches and flips. I am game to strap myself into the wildest of rides, tamping down the fear that always insists on coming along.
Had I been present with the disciples on this day described by Luke, I think I would have met my match in roller-coaster living.
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