Daily Reading: Genesis 24
Scripture Focus: See to it that you do not take my son back there. The Lord, the God of heaven, who took me from my father's house and from the land of my kindred, and who spoke to me and swore to me, ‘To your offspring I will give this land...' (Genesis 24.6-7)
Devotional Thought: When we follow Christ, he gives us a promise, "I will never leave you or forsake you." And, "I am with you always, to the end of the age." We must be careful to pass on that promise of God's presence and blessing to our offspring. Too often, however, people are content to let their children find their own way. Abraham wouldn't think of it! He was proactive in making sure his son continued in the way of the promise.
As Abraham approached the end of his life, his thoughts turned to his posterity and legacy. He knew that the future of the promise depended on his being faithful to the end. A large part of that faithfulness was how he passed on the blessing and promise to his son, Isaac. God had 'saved' Abraham out of his past and delivered him into the glorious future. Abraham knew without doubt that the old way of life held no promise for him and his offspring. So, when it came time to find a wife for Isaac, Abraham was insistent that Isaac not return to the old ways.
Has God saved you? Are you passing that on to your children? Not just in a passive way, but in an active way? Abraham was not about to let Isaac stray from the promise. Even though Isaac was a grown man, there was too much at stake to leave it to chance. We must not leave the next generation to chance. Starting at an early age and all the rest of their lives, we need to lead our children over and over again to the Lord. Don't let them go 'back there.' The promise lies ahead, not behind!
Prayer: Father, thank you for bringing us from darkness to light, from death to life, from despair to hope. Help us, O God, to do our part to keep our children in the way of faith. In Jesus' name, amen.
Psalm of the Day: 7 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; 8 the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; 9 the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. 11 Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. 12 Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults. 13 Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression. 14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. (Psalms 19:7-14)
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