“Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off.” Genesis 22:4 (KJV)
In Genesis 22, God commanded Abraham to offer his only son Isaac as a sacrifice. Undoubtedly, it was the hardest day of Abraham’s
life. Isaac was precious to Abraham and his wife, Sarah. Isaac was a miracle child, conceived in their old age, a gift from God. Certainly,
God’s command troubled Abraham greatly. Yet during this very difficult time, Abraham “lifted up his eyes and saw the place afar off.”
Hebrews 11:10 (NKJV) tells us that Abraham “looked for a city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.”
What did Abraham see? . . . and what do we focus on in times of adversity? Notice that during this time of hardship and trial of faith,
Abraham did not focus on the “here and now,” but on the gospel promise from God. Abraham undoubtedly saw a glimpse of heaven, the eternal joy that awaited him, and much more! This glimpse empowered him to be totally obedient to the Lord, despite the seemingly impossible task.
As believers in Christ Jesus we, too, should fi x our gaze on the prize that awaits us. Heaven is a real place, and the troubles, afflictions
and trials of this world will soon pass. It is said there are over 8,000 Scriptural promises of God for His children. As we read and meditate
on the promises of Scripture, like Abraham, our focus will shift from the temporal to the eternal! Reading the Word of God will elevate our view, and God will increase our glimpse of the prize that awaits us. This is the hope of all believers!
Dear Christian, heaven awaits you. Submit what God has asked of you because, despite how precious it may be to you, it will be for your benefit!
Heavenly Father, help me to obey even when it doesn’t make sense. Give me a glimpse of eternity!
— Steven Keesic
Council Fire is a collaboration with Intertribal Life Ministries and Native Evangelical Fellowship of Canada.
The Council Fire Daily Devotional Book Set is available on the Intertribal Life Ministries website.
Learn more about Council Fire at councilfire365.org