Daily Reading: 8-9-16
Hebrews 11:17-28 Contemporary English Version
Faith is associated with desiring God’s best for our lives. As well, we can count on the fact that our faith will be tested when it comes to the things we prize the most. Things in this world might seem good and inviting at times, but compared to the promises of God it offers only fleeting pleasures. God offers an eternity of blessing.
The Apostle Paul continues his examples of faith in his letter to the Hebrews.
Hebrews 11:17-28Contemporary English Version (CEV)
17-18 Abraham had been promised that Isaac, his only son, would continue his family. But when Abraham was tested, he had faith and was willing to sacrifice Isaac, 19 because he was sure that God could raise people to life. This was just like getting Isaac back from death.
20 Isaac had faith, and he promised blessings to Jacob and Esau. 21 Later, when Jacob was about to die, he leaned on his walking stick and worshiped. Then because of his faith he blessed each of Joseph’s sons. 22 And right before Joseph died, he had faith that God would lead the people of Israel out of Egypt. So he told them to take his bones with them.
23 Because Moses’ parents had faith, they kept him hidden until he was three months old. They saw that he was a beautiful child, and they were not afraid to disobey the king’s orders. 24 Then after Moses grew up, his faith made him refuse to be called Pharaoh’s grandson. 25 He chose to be mistreated with God’s people instead of having the good time that sin could bring for a little while. 26 Moses knew that the treasures of Egypt were not as wonderful as what he would receive from suffering for the Messiah and he looked forward to his reward.
27 Because of his faith, Moses left Egypt. Moses had seen the invisible God and wasn’t afraid of the king’s anger. 28 His faith also made him celebrate Passover. He sprinkled the blood of animals on the doorposts, so that the first-born sons of the people of Israel would not be killed by the destroying angel.
Prayer: Lord, help me to be willing to reach for things that are eternal over the things that are temporal in this world. Eternity’s value system is what I long for most. Holy Spirit keep me faithful to my greatest desire to live in the glow of heaven. In Jesus’ name. Amen.