GENESIS 15:18

On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram and said, “To your descendants I give this land, from the Wadi of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates"

TO PONDER

This promise, or covenant, that God makes with Abram (or Abraham after God changes his name) is significant because in the preceding verses God also explained that Abraham's descendants would also be enslaved by another nation before taking ownership of the land that God had promised.

I wonder how much this promise was in the minds of the Israelites as they were oppressed in Egypt? God had promised them through their forefathers, a life living as his people in a land flowing with milk and honey, and yet here they were in slavery but that was also part of the deal.

We talked yesterday about remembering history. I think this verse reminds us again, as does so much of the book of Exodus, of the importance of remembering. Remembering that God said there would be a period of 400 years of slavery to a foreign nation before He would bring His judgement against them and make Israel rich through their oppressors would, I imagine, have been something of a hope and comfort to the Israelites, knowing that God had not abandoned them but that this was all part of his plan to bless all the nations through them.

Jesus also told his followers to expect trouble and opposition when they followed Him. Perhaps there is some comfort for you today in remembering that God has not forgotten you in your suffering, that the promise of Jesus was not a life free from suffering but rather free and constant access to Him in the midst of our suffering, access to the son of God who suffered in our place, who understands what suffering is and who walks with you in the midst of it.

PRAYER: Lord God, sometimes it's easy to forget your promises and to begin despairing about the challenges that life can bring. Help me to remember that I am never alone in my suffering and that even in the midst of my suffering, you are at work carrying out your ultimate good and perfect plans for me, and all those who love you. Amen

Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle