January 24, 2020

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Read – Genesis 23

What does it say?
After the death of his wife Sarah, Abraham negotiates the purchase of a cave for her burial.

What does it mean?
The small burial plot Abraham bought for his wife, Sarah, became the first piece of land he owned in Canaan, the land God had promised to give him over 77 years before. Abraham believed so completely in God’s ability to keep His promise that he acted as if it were already a reality. He firmly believed his descendants would own all of the land one day; therefore, he was determined to pay any price for Sarah to be buried in Canaan. Abraham’s actions backed up what he claimed to believe—that’s true faith.

How should I respond?
Faith claims what it cannot see, trusting God to supernaturally accomplish His plans. What promises of God are you claiming by faith? Every follower of Christ has the promise of His return and a future home in Heaven. Are you living as if Heaven were already your home? Or, have you been distracted by temporary trinkets and pleasures? When you live for God’s purposes, you store up treasure in Heaven (Matthew 6:19-21). How will you invest in eternal things today rather than temporal? Faith is proven by our actions, not our words.