Compiled By: Lisa K Gonzales
From: The Life Application Study Bible
20 “It was by faith that Isaac blessed his two sons, Jacob and Esau. He had confidence in what GOD was going to do in the future. 21 It was by faith that Jacob, when he was old and dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons and bowed in worship as he leaned on his staff. 22 And it was by faith that Joseph, when he was about to die, confidently spoke of GOD’s bringing the people of Israel out of Egypt. He was so sure of it that he commanded them to carry his bones with them when they left!” ~ Hebrews 11:20-22
Isaac was the son that had been promised to Abraham and Sarah in their old age. It was through Isaac that GOD fulfilled HIS promise to eventually give Abraham countless descendants. Isaac had twin sons, Jacob and Esau. GOD chose the younger son, Jacob, through whom to continue the fulfillment of HIS promise to Abraham. Jacob was Isaac’s son and Abraham’s grandson. Jacob’s sons became the fathers if Israel’s twelve tribes. Even when Jacob (also called “Israel”) was dying in a strange land, he believed the promise that Abraham’s descendants would be like the sand on the seashore and that Israel would become a great nation.
GOD often works in unexpected ways. When HE chooses people to fulfill HIS plans, HE always goes deeper than appearance, tradition, or position. HE sometimes surprises us by choosing the less obvious person, at least by human standards. GOD can use you to carry out HIS plans, even if you do not think you have all the qualifications, or your circumstances are such that you do not believe you can. Circumstances are never so bad that they are beyond GOD’s help. We need never despair because we belong to a loving GOD. We never know what good HE will bring out of a seemingly hopeless situation. True faith helps us see beyond what we see in the “natural”. Joseph, one of Jacob’s sons, is another great example of faith. He was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers. Eventually, Joseph was sold again, this time to an official of the Pharaoh of Egypt. Because of Joseph’s faithfulness to GOD, however, he was given a top-ranking position in Egypt. Although Joseph could have used that position to build a personal empire, he remembered GOD’s promise to Abraham. After he had been reconciled to his brothers, Joseph brought his family to be near him and requested that his bones be taken to the Promised Land when the Jews eventually left Egypt. Faith means trusting in GOD and doing what HE wants, regardless of the circumstances or consequences.
Father, only YOU see our complete life picture. As you place one piece at a time, only YOU know how our life’s puzzle will be put together. YOU have all the right pieces in just the right place and time. Give us the gift of faith, Father GOD, to see beyond our natural circumstances and know that nothing – not even our darkest trials are beyond YOUR help. We do not know what good YOU will bring out of what seems like a hopeless situation LORD, but we do know that true faith will help us see beyond our worst fears and problems. We know that we belong to a loving GOD and through faith and trust in YOU Father GOD, we can do what YOU have planned for our lives regardless of our circumstances.
Photo: Bar Harbor (Maine)
Photo By: Lisa K Gonzales
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