The Source of Joy
The LORD visited Sarah as He had said. . .. Abraham called the name of his son who was born to him, whom Sarah bore him, Isaac.
GENESIS 21:1, 3
+
The Source of Joy
Moses is very wordy in this passage. He repeats nearly all statements twice. Evidently it is his purpose to commend to us that most exuberant joy of the saintly patriarch. After awful misfortunes Abraham has not only found a safe place and a favorably disposed king, but Sarah becomes pregnant and bears him the son who is the heir of the promise. But if the joy of parents is genuine when children are born to them in the usual manner without a promise, how much more Abraham rejoiced over this his son for whom he had now waited so many years after he had been promised! Accordingly, what thus far has been an object of hope, and what he has believed, this is now a reality; and, if I may express it in this way, the promise has now been made flesh. We cannot come close to feeling this joy; for the things which thus far had been invisible and impossible, which Abraham had believed, are now visible and altogether possible—an example for us, that we may learn that there is no real joy in this world except that which the Word brings when it is believed.
GENESIS 21:1, 3
+
The Source of Joy
Moses is very wordy in this passage. He repeats nearly all statements twice. Evidently it is his purpose to commend to us that most exuberant joy of the saintly patriarch. After awful misfortunes Abraham has not only found a safe place and a favorably disposed king, but Sarah becomes pregnant and bears him the son who is the heir of the promise. But if the joy of parents is genuine when children are born to them in the usual manner without a promise, how much more Abraham rejoiced over this his son for whom he had now waited so many years after he had been promised! Accordingly, what thus far has been an object of hope, and what he has believed, this is now a reality; and, if I may express it in this way, the promise has now been made flesh. We cannot come close to feeling this joy; for the things which thus far had been invisible and impossible, which Abraham had believed, are now visible and altogether possible—an example for us, that we may learn that there is no real joy in this world except that which the Word brings when it is believed.
Posted in Daily Devotions
Recent
Archive
2024
January
Faith Comes By HearingAll Day LongThe Lord Keeps for HimselfSalvation Has ComeGrafted InStand Fast By FaithKindness and SeverityThe MysteryMercy on AllUnsearchableLiving SacrificesGiftsGenuine LoveThe Meaning of LifeGod EstablishedThe Summary of the Law is LoveThe Armor of LightMade to StandLiving to the LordEvery Knee Shall BowStumbling BlockTrue FreedomServant of the ChurchOur ExampleFellow WorkersAbound in HopeA Good TeacherGod’s WorkTravel PlansThe Fullness of His BlessingStrive TogetherWelcomeGreet One AnotherWatch Out
February
GreetingsAble to StrengthenAuthorityBlessed BeRedemption in His BloodSpiritual BlessingsGive ThanksDead Men WalkingBy GraceImmeasurable RichesBy GraceGod's WorkmanshipSeparatedBrought NearNo More HostilityTotal AccessFellow CitizensFor This ReasonMystery RevealedLeast of AllEternal PurposeFaith in HimSpiritual StrengthAbundant GiftWalk in LoveChrist's MeasureGifts to MenUnity of the FaithTo and Fro
March
Truth in LoveWalking a New PathA New SelfPut Away FalsehoodNew LifeImitators of GodSons of DisobedienceChildren of LightThe Will of the LordOne FleshFilled with the SpiritThe Church SubmitsChrist LovesProfound MysteryChildren of PromiseBring Them UpBondservants of ChristYour MasterStrong in the Lord