God of Covenant / Abraham
For all those who are grieving, and for all those who have a spirit of heaviness, here’s what God wants to do: He wants to trade in your ashes and give you a crown of beauty, He wants to give you a garment of praise in exchange for your spirit of heaviness, and He wants to pour oil of joy in exchange for your mourning. (A Paraphrase from Isaiah 61:3)
We are in a series called, The God of Covenant. Tomorrow we’ll be looking at God’s Covenant with Abraham. Looking forward to hearing that word from Pastor Karen. Here’s what we know for sure: Abraham and Sarah had been promised a child by God at age 75 and 65, respectively. They are no spring chickens! Yet, they still have to wait another 25 years before Isaac is born.
The bible is transparent about Abraham and Sarah's feelings. They feel like God has forgotten his promise, (Gen. 15:2-3) and they even get pretty sarcastic with God (Gen. 17:17-18). Safe to say, Abraham is not feeling much joy in those 25 years. It’s no coincidence that the name of that Child of Promise is Isaac. The name Isaac literally means, “the one who laughs,” or, “the one who brings much joy.” God comes through on His promise. His timing is much different than Abraham and Sarah prefer, but His timing is perfect. He trades out their mourning and spirit of heaviness (and spirit of sarcasm) for an oil of joy, named Isaac. God is so good.
I think a good Lenten season practice is to name to God the things that you are grieving right now. Then, in anticipation of the Resurrection of Jesus, ask God to give you His joy. Joy is a bi-product of a life that is being filled with the Holy Spirit. May we be a people who give the Holy Spirit access to the deepest parts of our lives.
Other Things…
We are in a series called, The God of Covenant. Tomorrow we’ll be looking at God’s Covenant with Abraham. Looking forward to hearing that word from Pastor Karen. Here’s what we know for sure: Abraham and Sarah had been promised a child by God at age 75 and 65, respectively. They are no spring chickens! Yet, they still have to wait another 25 years before Isaac is born.
The bible is transparent about Abraham and Sarah's feelings. They feel like God has forgotten his promise, (Gen. 15:2-3) and they even get pretty sarcastic with God (Gen. 17:17-18). Safe to say, Abraham is not feeling much joy in those 25 years. It’s no coincidence that the name of that Child of Promise is Isaac. The name Isaac literally means, “the one who laughs,” or, “the one who brings much joy.” God comes through on His promise. His timing is much different than Abraham and Sarah prefer, but His timing is perfect. He trades out their mourning and spirit of heaviness (and spirit of sarcasm) for an oil of joy, named Isaac. God is so good.
I think a good Lenten season practice is to name to God the things that you are grieving right now. Then, in anticipation of the Resurrection of Jesus, ask God to give you His joy. Joy is a bi-product of a life that is being filled with the Holy Spirit. May we be a people who give the Holy Spirit access to the deepest parts of our lives.
Other Things…
- Are you interested in Baptism? If you have a relationship with Jesus but have not yet been baptized then, in the words of the Ethiopian Eunuch, what’s keeping you from doing it? Easter Sunday is going to be Baptism Sunday! You can email Pastor Brian (pastorbrian@gburgnaz.org) if you are interested in baptism. Or CLICK HERE to fill out the Connect Card (and select “interested in Baptism”).
- Who can you invite to join you tomorrow? Who in your life is in need of the kind of community only found through the body of Christ? Make that call, send that text.
- Read Genesis 17 in preparation for tomorrow’s message. What stands out to you about this covenant with Abraham?
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