Look Toward Heaven
Posted by: forthright <forthright@...>
Straight to the Cross
http://www.forthright.net
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God promises, and, incredulous, man proposes a
believable deal.
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COLUMN: Final Phase
Look Toward Heaven
by J. Randal Matheny
We set deadlines and expect payments and promises
to be made and kept, post-haste.
God had promised Abram a son, and the clock was
ticking still.
So man proposes, "My servant Eliezer will be my
heir."
And God disposes, "Your very own son shall be your
heir" (Gen. 15:4, ESV).
Man was watching the sun rise and set. Rise and
set. Rise and set. He was watching the wrong light
in the sky.
Man was looking at his own physical incapacity.
Long unable to produce a child. It must have
become something of a joke between Abram and
Sarai. A long-standing joke.
The Lord redirects his sights.
"Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you
are able to number them. ... So shall your
offspring be" (verse 5).
Look toward heaven. He who created so many stars
and hangs them from horizon to horizon can
multiply Abram's descendents beyond count.
If Abram has a hard time believing in one son, God
stretches his limits and promises him children
without number.
"And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to
him as righteousness" (verse 6).
Are you having trouble believing in some promise
of the Lord Jesus Christ?
* when he says to seek first his kingdom and
"all these things" will be added to your
life?
* when he promises to confess you before his
Father in heaven if you'll confess him
before men?
* when he affirms his word will not return to
him void if you proclaim the Good News?
* when he says God makes all things work for
good to those who love him?
Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you
can.
The exercise will stretch your limits and give you
faith.
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Would you share today's message with a friend?
Bless someone today who needs a heads-up.
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