Devotion - Tuesday, February 2

I want to continue to draw insight out of Hebrews, Chapter 11. In the middle verses (13-22,) we are reminded that it was faith which gave Abraham the strength to take his only son to the mountain of sacrifice. Instructed by God to offer up his son, Abraham is obedient.

Setting aside for a moment the horror associated with human sacrifice, it might be helpful to focus on the lesson from Hebrews. Abraham is confident that God can accomplish God’s purposes, even when death enters the picture. “By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac.”

Death is a reality. Each of us will die. Whatever we have accumulated, whatever we have accomplished will one day be passed on to another. In despair, we might consider it all pointless. But by faith, we are confident that nothing, not even death, will separate us from God and God’s promises to us.

Death is a rather uncommon event among college students. For this we can give thanks. However, when death does come into the lives of 18-22 year olds, it is generally linked with a great tragedy. It is tempting to allow despair to emerge.

The faith we share, the faith of the Christian church, needs to be spoken at such times. It is those whose faith has not been shaken who can remind those less confident of the power and guidance of faith. Faith allows us to retain our hope. Faith passes on to us the confidence of Abraham that not even death can stand in the way of God’s purposes.