Category Archives: Devotion

DEALING WITH DEATH

Posted on

“She died at Kiriath Arba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan, and Abraham went to mourn for Sarah and to weep over her.”       Genesis 23:2 NIV

 

How can we deal with the death of a loved one? By expressing sorrow, by mourning and weeping. Sarah, Abraham’s wife, died. She died when she was 127 years old. Remember who Sarah was, how great a life she had lived for the Lord. She had willingly followed her husband, Abraham, in his call from the Lord. She had willingly left her home, family, and friends, all she had, to follow her husband. She had willingly travelled all about as Abraham sought to follow and obey the Lord. She had been steadfast right along with her husband all through the years, steadfast in following the Lord and in believing His promises despite the impossible odds. She was called a princess (Genesis 17:15). She is an excellent illustration of the grace of our Lord. She is listed in the great Hall of Faith as one of the great believers of faith (Hebrews 11:11). She is the only woman whose age and death are given by Scripture. No wonder Abraham mourned and wept. Abraham loved her for her commitment and faithfulness. She would no longer be his partner in life, no longer be by his side, no longer be labouring with him. Abraham mourned and wept over the passing of his dear wife. There is nothing wrong with shedding tears over the death of a loved one. Tears are not a sign of weakness nor of weak faith. Tears are a release for the pain we feel. Tears help to heal our broken hearts. Tears are even a testimony, a tribute to the importance of the loved one.

 

PRAYER THOUGHT

Lord, thank You for gathering our tears in our grief.

 

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Lord, thank You that tears are not a sign of weakness nor of weak faith. They are Your gift for us to release the pain we feel. Tears help us to heal. Tears are a testimony, a tribute to the importance of our loved one. AMEN

 

INTERNATIONAL BIBLE READING ASSOCIATION (IBRA)

John 21:15-19

 

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.

THE PILGRIMAGE OF DEATH

Posted on

“Sarah lived to be a hundred and twenty-seven years old. She died at Kiriath Arba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan, and Abraham went to mourn for Sarah and to weep over her.”                  Genesis 23:1,2 NIV

 

The pilgrimage of death must be taken by everyone. Our loved ones die, and we die. We die far, far too soon. Life is extremely short. In fact, one of the most shocking facts of life is the brevity of life. When we reach older age, the shortness of life strikes us with a shock that can be most disturbing. The sense that life is soon to be over is an ever-present reality. We know that our bodies are about to wear out and run down, that the cold, dark hands of death are about to snatch us out of this world, and that there is nothing, absolutely nothing, we can do about it. Death is going to take us away. Facing death can be made much easier by studying and remembering this experience of Abraham. Just as Abraham’s faith enabled him to deal with the death of his dear wife Sarah, so our faith as believers can empower us to confront the death of our loved ones. In Genesis 23, we see Abraham expressing sorrow and grief. He wept and mourned. He acted responsibly for he arose and did not allow himself to become overwhelmed with grief. He confessed his faith even though he was a stranger and sojourner on earth whose hope was for a permanent home. He gave strong testimony in all funeral arrangements, and he buried his loved one, Sarah, in faith and love. We, like Abraham, are called to be the same, strengthened through our faith in the Risen Ascended Lord Jesus Christ.

 

PRAYER THOUGHT

Lord Jesus, we face the pilgrimage of death in Your Risen Presence.

 

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Lord Jesus, thank You that we too can face the pilgrimage of death, through Your abiding presence in the power and ministry of Your indwelling Holy Spirit. AMEN

 

INTERNATIONAL BIBLE READING ASSOCIATION (IBRA)

Luke 22:54-62

 

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.

NAHOR

Posted on

Some time later Abraham was told, “Milkah is also a mother; she has borne sons to your brother Nahor.”       Genesis 22:20 NIV

 

Abraham gets word about the children of his brother Nahor, this information was sent all the way from the city of Nahor, about a 1126km journey north-northeast of Beersheba. This was a great distance in the days of Abraham and prevented all contact between Abraham and his brother Nahor. Evidently, a traveller in a caravan train brought news to Abraham regarding his brother. It was no coincidence that this traveller ran into Abraham with information regarding his brother Nahor after so many years of having no contact with him. The Lord providentially saw to it that this traveller, who is unknown to us, ran into Abraham with this information regarding his brother since Rebekah, who would eventually marry Abraham’s son Isaac, was the granddaughter of Nahor according to Genesis 22:20-23. What appears to take place by chance from the human perspective is from the divine perspective a part of an orchestrated plan by the Lord from eternity past. This outworking is called the “providence of God.” The doctrine of providence expresses the fact that the world and our lives are not ruled by chance or fate but by the Lord Who reveals the purpose of providence through the work of Christ on the Cross. Isaiah 46:9-10, “Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’” Our Lord keeps His promises and fulfils His Word.

 

PRAYER THOUGHT

Lord, thank You for Your providential care, even when we don’t see it.

 

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Lord, You are the One who keeps Your Word and fulfils Your promises, and we thank You for Your providential care, even when we don’t understand it fully. AMEN

 

INTERNATIONAL BIBLE READING ASSOCIATION (IBRA)

John 8:1-11

 

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.

PROMISES RENEWED

Posted on

The angel of the Lord called to Abraham from heaven a second time and said, “I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you….”       Genesis 22:15,16,17 NIV

 

The Lord renewed His promises to the heart of Abraham. Abraham was to be rewarded for his obedience, and no greater reward could be given. The Lord gave Abraham a solemn oath, the most solemn oath He could give. He swore by Himself. He staked His promises upon His own nature and name. God could swear by no greater name or person than Himself. He and He alone would stand behind the promises of His Word. Why was He giving Abraham so great a confirmation of the promises: because Abraham had obeyed God, done exactly what God had told him to do. He had offered his son as a sacrifice to the Lord. The Lord renewed the promise of the promised seed, meaning the Saviour of the world. The great promises of our Lord are sure, guaranteed and confirmed by Himself. He has sworn that He stands behind every single promise. Every promise will be fulfilled, literally and completely fulfilled. The omnipotent power of the Lord guarantees their fulfilment. The promises are given, to those who are obedient to His call. The person who sacrifices all, who absolutely surrenders their heart to the Lord, will have the promises of the Lord take effect in their life. Be reminded of the words of Peter (2 Peter 1:4), “Through these He has given us His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature…”

 

PRAYER THOUGHT

Lord, thank You that You always keep Your promises, as we obey You.

 

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Lord, as we sacrifice all to You, surrendering our hearts to You, we will have Your promises take effect in our lives. AMEN

 

INTERNATIONAL BIBLE READING ASSOCIATION (IBRA)

Job 42:10-17

 

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.

HE CARRIED!

Posted on

So, Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.”        Genesis 22:14 NIV

 

Isaac carried the wood upon which he was to be laid as a sacrifice; Christ carried the cross upon which He was to be hung as the sacrifice for the sins of the world. Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice upon Mt. Moriah, the very mountain upon which Jerusalem was built (2 Chronicles 3:1). Our heavenly Father offered up His one and only Son, Jesus Christ on Calvary, right outside Jerusalem, upon the very same mountain ridge or range where Isaac was offered. This tells us why He had Abraham travel three days to offer Isaac on Mt. Moriah. The offering of Isaac was planned by Him to be a type of His offering of His one and only Son. Abraham called Mt. Moriah Jehovah-Jireh, “the Lord will provide.” God provided a substitutionary sacrifice for Abraham. Our Heavenly Father has provided a substitutionary sacrifice for us in the Lord Jesus Christ. As Isaac faced the consuming fire; Jesus Christ has borne the consuming fire of the Lord’s holiness and judgment against sin. Abraham received the great joy of God’s promise because he willingly sacrificed his will to the Lord’s will. Our Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ experienced the fulfilment of His joy because He totally surrendered His will to Father’s will and sacrificed Himself for the sins of the world. As Hebrews reminds us, “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

 

PRAYER THOUGHT

Lord Jesus Christ, thank You for carrying our sins through Your Cross.

 

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Lord Jesus, thank You, as You carried Your cross to Calvary, You carried our sins, the sins of humanity, that we would experience the full provision from Your Father, through the power and ministry of the Holy Spirit. AMEN

 

INTERNATIONAL BIBLE READING ASSOCIATION (IBRA)

Job 1:13-22

 

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.

THE OFFERING

Posted on

So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.”        Genesis 22:14 NIV

 

Let us be reminded afresh that Abraham’s offering his son Isaac is a picture of the LORD offering His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, as a sacrifice for us and all of humanity. The sacrifice of Isaac is a type-a symbol, a picture, a prophecy-of the sacrifice of Christ at Calvary, the sacrifice of God’s very own Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, for the sins of the world. Abraham was asked to give up his most cherished possession to the Lord. He has given up His most cherished possession to humanity. Abraham was asked to sacrifice his own son for the Lord, and the Lord has sacrificed His only Son for us all. Abraham believed that the Lord would raise up his son, if need be. We know He did raise up His own Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. It can even be said that Isaac was as good as dead (sacrificed) in the heart of Abraham during the three days of travelling before the resurrection. The resurrection of both Isaac and Christ took place three days after their death (Genesis 22:5). Isaac was apparently willing to obey God and be sacrificed, for there is no evidence of a struggle. Isaac was obedient to death even as Christ was obedient to death. The ram was provided as a substitute for Isaac; the lamb of God, the Lord Jesus Christ, was provided as a substitute for all of humanity. There is no other substitute, but Jesus Christ our Saviour and Lord.

 

PRAYER THOUGHT

Lord Jesus Christ, we rejoice that there is only one substitute, You!

 

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, we praise and thank You for giving Your one and only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord, as the one and only substitute for dealing with our sin. AMEN

 

INTERNATIONAL BIBLE READING ASSOCIATION (IBRA)

Matthew 25:31-46

 

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.

THE HEART!

Posted on

“Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.”           Genesis 22:12 NIV

 

The Lord accepted the sacrifice of Abraham’s heart. It is always the willingness, the surrender of the heart that makes the offering of a sacrifice acceptable to the Lord. The Lord is after our heart, not the sacrifice. Our hearts must reach out to the Lord before we lay a sacrifice before Him. Hear these words from 1 Samuel 15:22 “But Samuel replied: “Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.” The words of David in Psalm 51:16-17, “You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.” In response to Abraham’s obedience the Lord gave Abraham a ram to offer as a substitute for Isaac (verse 13). Abraham in response to the Lord’s provision worshipped Him and memorialized the place forever (verse 14). He named the place the mountain of the LORD, Jehovah-Jireh. The Hebrew means the LORD provides. And provide He did! The LORD met Abraham’s need: He gave Abraham a substitute sacrifice instead of his son. Have we grasped that the Lord has never changed, and He never will. What He did for Abraham, He has done for us in His one and only begotten Son, Jesus Christ our Saviour and Lord. The Lord has provided and will provide for you.

 

PRAYER THOUGHT

Lord, help us grasp how You have provided for us in every way.

 

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Lord, You never change, You are the same forever, and as You provided for Abraham, as He gave his heart to You, You will do the same for us. Thank You! AMEN

 

INTERNATIONAL BIBLE READING ASSOCIATION (IBRA)

Matthew 25:14-30

 

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.

ACCEPTED!

Posted on

But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied.          Genesis 22:11 NIV

 

Now comes the great joy of sacrificing everything to the Lord. The Lord accepted the sacrifice and surrender of Abraham’s heart. He called out to stop Abraham from sacrificing Isaac. When Abraham reached out and took the knife to slay his son, the Lord knew that Abraham was totally surrendered to Him. He knew that Abraham’s heart belonged to Him, totally and absolutely. Nothing, absolutely nothing, stood between Abraham and the Lord. Abraham would sacrifice anything and do anything for the Lord. Abraham would obey Him, no matter the sacrifice or cost. The Lord was the most precious person and the most treasured thing in Abraham’s life. The Lord acknowledged this. He knew Abraham feared Him, reverenced and trusted Him above all else. He knew Abraham loved Him more than his own son. Within his heart, Abraham had offered the supreme sacrifice to the Lord. Within his heart, Abraham had made the absolute surrender of himself to the Lord. The point is this: The Lord is after our hearts, the surrender of our spirits to Him, not the slaying of our bodies. He wants living sacrifices, not dead sacrifices. He wants the bodies of people, but He wants living bodies, not dead bodies. He wants a human sacrifice, but He wants the sacrifices living, not dead. “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” (Romans 12:1)

 

PRAYER THOUGHT

Lord, we offer our entire lives as living sacrifices to You.

 

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Lord, in view of Your mercy, we offer our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to You for this is our true and proper worship. AMEN

 

INTERNATIONAL BIBLE READING ASSOCIATION (IBRA)

Matthew 25:1-13

 

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.

HE DID IT!

Posted on

“When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son.”     Genesis 22:9,10 NIV

 

Abraham actually offered up the sacrifice, made the absolute surrender to the Lord. He reached out and took the knife to slay his son. Abraham was obeying the Lord. He loved the Lord more than anything; therefore, he would obey the Lord no matter the cost. He was willing to sacrifice everything, to give and offer everything to Him. Abraham was totally, absolutely surrendered to the Lord. Have you offered up your life as a sacrifice to the Lord? Have you made the absolute surrender of your life to the Lord? Have I? Do we love the Lord more than anything? Are we willing to sacrifice ourselves totally for the Lord and His cause? Are we willing to sacrifice everything for the Lord, to give Him everything, our lives and our possessions? Again, are we willing to take the gospel of Jesus Christ to the uttermost part of the earth? Are we willing to obey Him totally, no matter the cost? Abraham was. “And He [Jesus] said to all, ‘If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me.’” (Luke 9:23) “For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?” (Luke 9:24-25)

 

PRAYER THOUGHT

Lord, Abraham surrendered all, help us to do the same.

 

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Lord Jesus, Abraham followed through in his surrendering of his son Isaac, on Your altar, help us to surrender our all to You. AMEN

 

INTERNATIONAL BIBLE READING ASSOCIATION (IBRA)

Matthew 24:29-51

 

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.

FOLLOWING THROUGH

Posted on

“When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son.”         Genesis 22:9,10 NIV

 

Absolute surrender means following through with the sacrifice. It had been three days since the Lord had instructed Abraham to make the supreme sacrifice, to offer his own son as a sacrifice to Him. Abraham had three long days to agonize over the matter. For three days – days that had passed far too quickly – Abraham had taken weary step after weary step, with a heart so heavy that he must have felt as though it would burst. Now, father and son had reached the fatal place. Abraham made final preparations. He built an altar and laid the wood on the altar, and then the fatal, final moment came to bind and offer the sacrifice. Would Abraham do it? Did Abraham love the Lord enough to obey His Word, to make the supreme sacrifice to the Lord? To offer his own son as a sacrifice to the Lord? Scripture tells us in tense, graphic statements: “Abraham bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood. And Abraham stretched forth his hand and took the knife to slay his son.” Abraham was an elderly man, and Isaac was probably around twenty years old. Isaac could have easily overcome his father and fled away, but Scripture says nothing about a struggle. Isaac entrusted himself to the Lord and his father. Are we willing to follow through in our surrender?

 

PRAYER THOUGHT

Lord, we surrender our struggles in following through our surrender.

 

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Lord, we choose to follow through with our surrender to You, even though it comes with a great wrestling within our hearts. AMEN

 

INTERNATIONAL BIBLE READING ASSOCIATION (IBRA)

Matthew 24:1-28

 

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.