Nine weeks into my first pregnancy, I started bleeding. The fear of losing our baby gripped my heart so tightly that I could barely breathe. That night, as I frantically searched the Scriptures to find some comfort, I opened my Bible to Genesis 26:24 (MSG): “That very night God appeared to him and said, I am the God of Abraham your father; don’t fear a thing because I’m with you. I’ll bless you and make your children flourish.” These few words calmed my panicked heart, and I slept peacefully.
An emergency scan on the following morning confirmed that my pregnancy was progressing well. But there was one surprise revelation—I wasn’t carrying one child, but two! Later, I gave birth to a twin boy and girl. Talk about an abundant blessing!
In Genesis 22:1-19, we read that God tested Abraham by telling him to sacrifice his only son, Isaac. When Isaac asked his father where the lamb was for the burnt offering, Abraham answered, “God will provide a sheep for the burnt offering, my son” (Genesis 22:8). And then “they both walked on together.”
Isaac trusted the word of his father, just as Abraham trusted the word of his faithful God. Abraham knew the Lord would provide even in a seemingly hopeless, desperate situation.
These days, whenever we’re faced with a challenge in our family, I go back to Genesis 26:24. It stands firm in my heart as a promise from God that can be trusted. Reacting emotionally to the challenges of life may leave us exhausted, fearful, and vulnerable. Instead, let’s choose to cling to God’s unchanging Word and rest in His faithful promises. Remember these words from Him: “Do not be afraid, for I am with you and will bless you.”
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Exodus 18:1-27
More:
Read Genesis 26:1-25 and see how the obedience of Isaac led to the favor and blessing of the Lord in his life.
Next:
Ask God to give you a verse or a passage from the Bible that you can hold on to when trouble comes. How does trust in God make for a more peaceful transition into difficult times?
Terrence Simon on February 13, 2014 at 1:50 am
Dear Ruth,
Amazing words, I’m totally depressed because of my health condition but when I read this message its really comforts me a lot.
Thank you so much
God Bless You !!!
GChoo on February 13, 2014 at 6:44 am
Ruth, thank you for sharing your story with us and God’s Word. It really speaks to me how He had blessed me and my family despite my past disobedience and impatience.
Truly when we cling to His promises and faithfulness, we find great joy and peace that surpass all understanding. I may not be in good physical health for the last 2 years but i realised that the more i am close to God’s Word i find great and peace to keep going. I am on prescribed medication to treat my body which is important. However, more importantly, i trust in God’s healing over my physical and spiritual health through keeping close to His Word and claiming His promises. Having a church who is focused on God’s Word and be prayed for helped greatly in my faith in Him.
Terrence, praying for both your physical and spiritual health at this moment. God bless.
davidbloomfield on February 13, 2014 at 10:16 am
Dear Ruth,
What a wonderful encouragement. The Lord always has better things in store for us than we would wish for.
Terrence Simon on February 13, 2014 at 11:37 am
Dear GChoo,
Thanks Bro, Your words mean so much to me
Thank you so much. God Bless
Ruth O'reilly-smith on February 13, 2014 at 3:09 pm
Hi there Terrence, David and GChoo. When we look back as see the faithfulness of the Lord, we can’t help but trust that He will prove Himself faithful again and again. Physical or mental illness can leave us spiritually weak and vulnerable to the attack of the enemy, but I pray you will be strengthened and healed as you read God’s Word and meditate on it.
I was so encouraged by 2 Corinthians 4:8-10 and 16-18
“We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.
That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are[e] being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.”
Be encouraged and may God bless and keep you and provide for you, today and always.
Tom Felten on February 13, 2014 at 4:02 pm
Love those verses, Ruth. So encouraging! Yes, we can hope even in the midst of life’s difficult times (Romans 15:13).
Terrence Simon on February 14, 2014 at 1:52 am
Thanks, Ruth