[NIV] 1 Sarah lived to be a hundred and twenty-sevenyears old. 2 She died at Kiriath Arba (that is, Hebron)in the land of Canaan, and Abraham went to mourn forSarah and to weep over her. - P78
3 Then Abraham rose frombeside his dead wife and spoke to the Hittites. He said,
4 "I am a foreigner and stranger among you. Sell me someproperty for a burial site here so I can bury my dead." - P78
16 Abraham agreed to Ephron‘s terms and weighed outfor him the price he had named in the hearing of theHittites: four hundred shekels of silver, according to theweight current among the merchants. - P79
19 Afterward Abraham buried his wife Sarah in thecave in the field of Machpelah near Mamre (which isat Hebron) in the land of Canaan. 20 So the field andthe cave in it were deeded to Abraham by the Hittitesas a burial site. - P79
When Sarah dies, Abraham takes time to mourn and weep over the devastating
loss of his beloved wife. - P80
Anyone who has lost a loved one will
understand the pain and grief Abraham
would have experienced.
- P80
But feeling the sting of death also presents us with an opportunity to reflect on our
life‘s purpose and mission here on earth. - P80
For Christians,
death is not the end but a transition into a new life in eternity; it is our rest from the
labors and suffering of this fallen world. - P80
The death andresurrection of Jesus Christ give us hope and assurance that death willgive way to final victory and everlasting
life. - P80
Up until Sarah‘s death, Abraham was still a foreigner in Canaan and did not have any
land in his name. By purchasing a field to bury his wife, - P80
he officially lays claim on a piece of land in Canaan, and what seems like a simple
legal transaction is actually the hand of
God working to fulfill His promises to
Abraham. - P80
Even in the midst of tragedy, God can
bring about unexpected opportunities to
fulfill His purposes for us. - P80
God is always working in hidden and powerful ways regardless of our circumstances. - P80
Wherever you are in your life‘s journey,
ask God to open the eyes of your heart
that you might see what He is doing
and be encouraged. - P80
While my circumstances have not changed dramatically, I have cometo trust that God‘s grace is sufficient for me. - P81
I am learning to be morealert to how God might be working in my less-than-perfect situation,
to not take myself too seriously, and to trust the process. - P81
I have found it helpful to try to discern
what God is doing by focusing on what
is working instead of obsessing over what
is broken. - P81
In this difficult season, I have come to realize that faith is the ability to take God at
His word and trust that He is at work, even when the things around me may not be
working out exactly as I expect. - P81
Faith is not about how I feel or what I see
but rather what God has promised. - P81
Dear Lord, thank you for reminding me that even in the midst of life‘s tragedies,
You are at work. - P81
I ask for Your wisdom as I navigate
through the challengesI am faced with
today. - P81
Please open my eyes to see how You are working. InJesus‘ name, amen. - P81
|