Living in the Gap - Genesis 23:1-25:18

In this life, we face challenges of many sorts. From daily stressors to deep sorrows, we experience pains in a life that is itself temporary. For true security, we need an unshakable hope — something that endures the troubles of this life, and continues on for eternity.

This past Sunday, Benjamin preached on Genesis 23:1-25:18, showing us that in life and in death, Christians can have certain hope in God’s promises, confident assurance in God’s provision, and complete satisfaction in God’s goodness.

In Genesis 23, Abraham purchased the field in which Sarah would be buried. This field was in the land of Canaan, which Moses was intentional to record. Both Sarah and Abraham would be buried in the Promised Land, perhaps signifying Abraham’s faith that God would give this land to his descendants.

Abraham had witnessed God’s faithfulness in the past, and was confident that the Lord would fulfill what He had promised. How much then can we, now that Christ has risen, live with certain hope in the resurrection to come!

Not only is God faithful to His promises, but He is gracious in His provision. In Genesis 24, Abraham expressed confidence that the Lord would provide a wife for Isaac from his own country, which Abraham’s servant initially doubted. Not only did the Lord provide Isaac a wife from his own country, but God answered the servant’s prayer in revealing Rebekah would be the woman. The Lord transformed Abraham’s heart to trust Him, and graciously provided Isaac a wife while answering the servant’s prayer.

When Abraham died, he was 175 years old. He could meet the end of his long life with satisfaction. Though Abraham’s obedience had wavered at times, God had always been faithful. This faithfulness was again displayed when God blessed Isaac after Abraham’s death. Surely, the Lord would fulfill the promise He had made to Abraham.

Today, Christians enjoy a satisfaction that far surpasses anything the world can offer us. Having been reconciled to God through Christ, we can live with true and lasting satisfaction in God’s goodness. By the help of the Holy Spirit, Christians can face the challenges of this life with endurance, and wait with eager hope for the day we will see Christ face-to-face. Unlike the empty promises this world would give us, this hope is built on a rock-solid foundation: the faithfulness of the God who always keeps His word.

Resources:

Reflection Questions:

  • Is there anything you are tempted to find satisfaction in more than Christ?

  • What promises has God made that apply to His church today?

  • How does hope in the coming resurrection impact your daily life?

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