From: "Phil Rembleski" <PHIl@rescuechurchofchrist.org>
To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"
Sent: Fri, Nov 26, 2021 at 5:26 AM
Subject: 11-26-21 THOUGHTS
11-26-21 THOUGHTS
Abraham’s total FAITH is the subject below. The words “In HOPE against HOPE,” are awesomely powerful! In Genesis 12:3, God promised Abraham that “through his seed, all nations of the earth would be blessed.” The child that would be that promise was a miracle child. We find later Gen 22:10 “Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son.” The God who promised, told Abraham to go to a place He would show him and sacrifice that miracle child. I cannot imagine the 3 day journey of Abraham’s heart as they went to Mount Moriah. In HOPE against HOPE, throbbing with each step. The PAST, THE PRESENT, AND THE FUTURE are internally hemorrhaging in this man. There is no sense here... ONLY GOD! Hebrews 11:19 says that Abraham figured if God could bring Isaac miraculously one time, He could do it again! Romans 4:21 echoes “and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform.” Abraham didn’t have to make sense of his current situation, HE TRUSTED GOD TO DO THAT! The text follows with “IT WAS ALSO CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS. “ This lesson deserves our deepest contemplation! The CROSS and GOD’S ONLY BEGOTTEN SON are inextricably embedded in this story! Verse 17 gives us a good definition of the word “credited” [impute, reckon], “He calls into being that which does not exist.” So I who am not holy, can be made holy by God!
Heb 11:17-19 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was offering up his only begotten son; 18 it was he to whom it was said, "IN ISAAC YOUR DESCENDANTS SHALL BE CALLED." 19 He considered that God is able to raise people even from the dead, from which he also received him back as a type.
Rom 4:16-24 For this reason it is by faith, in order that it may be in accordance with grace, so that the promise will be guaranteed to all the descendants, not only to those who are of the Law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, 17 (as it is written, "A FATHER OF MANY NATIONS HAVE I MADE YOU") in the presence of Him whom he believed, even God, who gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist. 18 In hope against hope he believed, so that he might become a father of many nations according to that which had been spoken, "SO SHALL YOUR DESCENDANTS BE." 19 Without becoming weak in faith he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah’s womb; 20 yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, 21 and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform. 22 Therefore IT WAS ALSO CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS. 23 Now not for his sake only was it written that it was credited to him, 24 but for our sake also, to whom it will be credited, as those who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead,
Rom 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
My Prayer:
We beg that you, O God, will make us holy before yourself. How awesome are the stories and your words that produce our faith. Hold us near to Yourself, may we abide in your presence. May our thoughts be set on heavenly things as we groan in your direction. We praise you and love you and lift you up O Lord. In the name of our dear Savior, Amen