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Dear Heavenly Father, Praise I come before you today in worship and adoration. You are “the living God, the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe” (1 Tim 4:10). You planned to redeem the world from sin by uniting them spiritually with Abraham’s seed, Jesus Christ. I praise you, for you are a God who “desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim 2:4 NASB). Today in Your Word Today you told me how Abram was justified by faith. You took him outside his tent one night and told him that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars of heaven. Abram believed you, and you “counted it to him as righteousness” (Gen 15:6). Abraham is the example of how we are saved by grace through faith (Rom 4:1–3; John 8:38–40). Paul later told the Galatians that your primary purpose in setting apart the Jews for yourself was to create a spiritual lineage, not a physical one. Being a “child of Abraham” means responding to you in faith and obedience like Abraham (cf. Gal 3:6–9). Years went by and Abram still had no child. Eventually, he listened to the advice of his wife Sarai and had a child through her Egyptian slave Hagar. Yet Ishmael was not the child of the promise, and Paul later used this story to demonstrate that not every descendant of Abraham is a true “child of Abraham.” Only those who believe like Abraham can claim such a privilege (cf. Rom 9:6–9). Paul also pointed out that Abraham was justified before he received the sign of circumcision (Rom 4:10). You did this deliberately in order to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised, so that righteousness would be counted to them as well (Rom 4:11–12). Reflection You told Abram that his descendants would not possess Canaan until after the iniquity of the Amorites was complete. This shows how merciful you are to those who are rejecting you. Request Father, give me the faith of Abraham, who believed that you are able to do the impossible. Help me trust your promise, even when it seems like nothing is being accomplished. Thanksgiving Thank you for the wonderful truth of salvation by grace through faith. You are calling all men to yourself, urging them to believe in you and have a relationship with your son, Jesus Christ! In Jesus’ name, Amen. Suggested Hymn: “Saved by Grace Thro’ Faith Alone” by Peter P. Bilhorn. Meditation Verse: Genesis 15:6.