Advent Devotional - December 4

DECEMBER 4 – Genesis 22: 15-18

By: Michael Colgan

In this passage, God repeats his earlier promise to Abraham: “Because you have obeyed me and have not withheld even your son, your only son, I swear by my own name that will certainly bless you.” Although God has already told Abraham that he will give him more descendants than stars in the sky, it is Abraham’s faith that now ratifies God’s offer. And God’s covenant is fulfilled in one of the many descendants that God promises Abraham, through the birth that we now await with joy and anticipation.

Has faith in God’s words brought his promises to work in your own life? Was there a point where God’s blessings were elevated in your own experience from words on a page to living gifts that you have come to trust in?

Prayer

LORD, help me to not only hear all the promises you have graciously made but to accept those promises with faith and joy. Through my faith in your Word, make me an instrument of your Kingdom. Amen.

Family Moment

Abraham had waited 100 years to be a father. In today’s passage, God promises to reward Abraham’s faithfulness by making him a father (and grandfather and great grandfather!) to as many children as there are stars in the sky! Go outside and try to count the stars. Then, take a piece of black construction paper and use a white crayon to color stars on the paper. Make a constellation showing how God keeps his promises.