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September 19, 1998, Saturday
What sacrifices were made for you to enjoy the lifestyle
that you now have? What sacrifices were made for you when
you were born and made for you as you were growing? What
sacrifices were made by your fellow citizens for you to
enjoy the freedoms and benefits of this country?
Our forefathers were tested in many ways. All were
expected to make certain sacrifices for their family,
but few were expected to make their family a sacrifice.
The Scripture tells us that there was a man God tested:
By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac
as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was
about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though
God had said to him, "It is through Isaac that your
offspring will be reckoned." Abraham reasoned that
God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking,
he did receive Isaac back from death (Heb 11:17-19).
The Scripture tells us that Abel made a favorable
sacrifice to God that was not of his own good works:
"By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than
Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous
man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by
faith he still speaks, even though he is dead"
(Heb 11:4).
The Scripture tells us that Moses sacrificed a bright
future of wealth and power to follow the call of God:
"By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to
be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter. He chose
to be mistreated along with the people of God rather
than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time"
(Heb 11:24-25).
Let us remember who is the God that provides for our
every need. God's name is Jehová Jireh. Jehová Jireh
made the ultimate sacrifice for us. The Psalmist knew
he also must sacrifice: "May my prayer be set before
You like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be
like the evening sacrifice" (Psa 141:2). Raise your
hands to Him and Praise Him Him today for all of His
provisions and blessings in your life!
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