blessed and still believing

Now Abraham was old, well advanced in years. And the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things.

Genesis 24:1

Abraham had reached the point in his walk with God where God, through His covenant blessings, had brought to Abraham riches, prestige, honor, and a claim to the Promised Land. And in his advanced years — despite being a nomad — despite waiting decades by faith — despite struggling with unbelief and resorting to his own wrong strategies — despite the long wait of faith for even one son of God’s promise — despite the loss of his wife and the pain of aloneness —- the old man looked at a lifetime filled with God’s covenant care and blessing.

At this point Abraham’s faith must be passed on generationally. It is the next part of God’s covenant commitment coming true. So Abraham sent his servant on a quest to find a wife for his son Isaac. And in this way the old man would see even more of God’s blessing and promises fulfilled. In Isaac the next generation of covenant children would be born as God decreed. Abraham would trust God to help provide the right woman to pass on this heritage of faith. And Abraham, in faith, devised a way to trust what God would do.

I find then in Abraham a couple of comforting challenges: First, even in blessings we must still trust God. Secondly, even in blessings we must step out in faith with plans to please God and trust Him. And at this stage of my life, where I am closer to where Abraham is in this text than I care to admit, may I not just sit and look back. I seek to move forward still with amazing ways to see God work! I want to keep taking new steps forward, in faith in Jesus Christ, in trust in the blessings of the New Covenant written in His blood for me. I will trust His promises and hope. 

Lord, in faith and thankfulness for the life I have in Christ, with each new day, may I take a new step! Amen