Welcome to Faith for Daily Living

The Word in Your World

We hope that this contact will be the beginning of an ongoing relationship, whether through the printed word, the internet, via cellphone, or by e‐mail. By contacting us you become part of a world‐wide community of people who seek daily help from God in the running of their lives and understanding the Christian faith. The printed form of Faith for Daily Living is read by people in eighty countries. Some are looking for help, others for guidance, yet others for comfort and some for instruction. God has touched many people through its ministry. He may well meet you as well.
 
Whatever your reason for this contact we say, "God bless you".

OUR TESTIMONY IN GRIEF

Posted on

The Hittites replied to Abraham, “Sir, listen to us. You are a mighty prince among us. Bury your dead in the choicest of our tombs. None of us will refuse you his tomb for burying your dead.”            Genesis 23:5,6 NIV

 

Our testimony in facing the death of a loved one is crucial. Here is a lengthy but interesting business transaction between Abraham and a man called Ephron. It gives us a clear picture into the customs of the day, as to how people went about handling business transactions. The courtesy is especially striking. Abraham went beyond the usual courtesy, paying far more for the land than what it was worth, and by so doing he gave a strong testimony for the Lord. Abraham had always had a strong testimony among his neighbours. They recognized him as a mighty prince among them. The Hebrew is actually a prince of the LORD. The people knew that Abraham was a man favoured and blessed by his Lord. Abraham had always borne a princely faith before his neighbours, and he was bearing a princely testimony to his faith now. Abraham bore a testimony of courtesy and appreciation. The Hittites offered Abraham a free tomb for Sarah. Abraham stood up and bowed. This was apparently the custom of the day, the way a person showed appreciation for an offer. Abraham bore a testimony of tact. He asked the city officials to intercede in securing a particular piece of land, the cave of Machpelah (verses 8-9). Abraham bore a testimony for being fair and just in his business transactions. Ephron offered to give the land to Abraham, but Abraham refused to accept the land as a gift. Abraham willingly paid an exorbitant price for the land, about twenty times its value.

 

PRAYER THOUGHT

Lord, may we bear testimony to You, even in our grief.

 

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Lord, even in our grief, may the testimony of our faith in You shine through, as it did in the life of Abraham. AMEN

 

INTERNATIONAL BIBLE READING ASSOCIATION (IBRA)

Esther 4:4-14

 

LISTEN TO TODAY’S DEVOTION

If you received our daily emails, please listen to today’s devotion on our website www.ffdl.co.za
On Facebook follow this link to start listening.


BibleGateway.com
Lookup a word, verse or passage from the Bible

Apply to Faith For Daily Living

Faith for Daily Living is available in a variety formats and will be sent to anyone who would like to apply.

 

There is no subscription rate and the expenses involved are met from the voluntary donations of our readers.

Keep the book open

Your donations are appreciated and every donation is acknowledged.

(Note that should you have multiple beneficiaries the funds raised will be split between them. You may have up to a maximum of three beneficiaries.)