By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, of whom it was said, “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back.
Hebrews 11:17–19
Today’s Epistle continues the list of heroes of faith begun last week. Today, the emphasis is on the trials they endured because of their faith. Unlike the false prophets in the Old Testament Reading, they had heard and believed the promises of God. In the Gospel, Jesus points out that acting on one’s faith inevitably leads to conflict, even within families. Only by faith are we able to look beyond the current, inevitable conflict to the joy that awaits all who follow Jesus. For the eternal joy before Him, He endured the pain.
Today is a day to resolve to run the race with endurance, following our Lord Jesus, acting on faith each day, until faith is turned to sight.
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