Listen on:
Divine Blessings
Genesis 22:15-18 ESV
And the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven and said, “By myself I have sworn, declares the Lord, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.”
Obedience brings divine blessings and strengthens our faith. After Abraham’s act of obedience, God blessed him and promised to multiply his descendants as the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. This blessing extended beyond Abraham to all nations through his offspring. Abraham’s obedience had far-reaching effects, fulfilling God’s promises and impacting generations to come.
Refined by Trials
1 Peter 1:6-7 ESV
In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 1:6-7 reminds us that trials refine our faith and bring glory to God. Obedience during difficult times is a testament to our faith and commitment to God. Just as Abraham’s obedience resulted in blessings that impacted generations, our obedience is not just about us. It’s about the generations in our families, along with the families of the people we are called to lead and serve. The trials we face serve to strengthen our faith and prepare us for greater blessings.
The Journey and Impact of Obedience
We know obedience is a journey that often involves trials and challenges. However, these trials refine our faith and bring us closer to God. When we remain obedient, we open the door to God’s wisdom and blessings in our lives. Abraham’s story teaches us that the blessings of obedience extend beyond our immediate circumstances. Our obedience is a testament to our faith and trust in God.
Pray this Prayer:
Lord, thank you for the blessings that come with obedience. Instead of focusing on the gift, help me focus on the Gift-Giver. Help me to remain faithful and obedient to you, even in trials. May my life be a testament to Your goodness and faithfulness, bringing glory to Your name. Thank you for all You have done, are doing, and will do in the days to come. You sit on the highest throne where You will always remain. Amen.
Your Practical Action Step:
Reflect on the blessings that have come from your past acts of obedience. Write them down as a reminder of God’s faithfulness and mercy. Reach out to a friend or family member to encourage them to reflect on the blessings from their own journey of obedience.
Hale Ministries
Andi and Brian Hale have a long history of ministry service, including 20+ years for each of them as AWANA Leaders and Teachers. Andi directed the Zion Evangelical Church Choir for 10 years and is now on the Praise Team for the largest church in Texoma (North Texas and Southern Oklahoma). She has had the opportunity to sing and pray with Avalon and Casting Crowns and landed the lead role in GREASE (50+ version) as Sandy at Wichita Falls Backdoor Theater. Brian has a long history in the media, including Radio, TV, Newspaper, PA Announcer, Social Media and On-Stage in front of thousands. As website designers of more than 25 years, they are always eager to help answer any questions you might have.
Together, Brian and Andi are out to prove that you can still have fun in your 50’s in this crazy, upside down world we live in today, as long as we keep our focus on Him, the One who created us for a purpose!
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