Daily Devotion - The Power of His Presence
 

The Power of His Presence

Daily Devotions

From the Writings of Ray Stedman

 

Abraham: The Man of Faith

June

There is a simple secret that ties together the Old and New Testaments and makes the study of the Old Testament a never-ending delight. The Old Testament is designed to be a picture book, illustrating with fascinating stories the spiritual truths presented in the New Testament. This is especially true of the books of Moses (Genesis through Deuteronomy) and the book of Joshua, for in the life histories of men like Abraham, Jacob, and Moses, we also have a symbolic representation of the progress of spiritual growth.

One of the most convincing proofs of the inspiration of the Bible is the facility with which the Spirit of God took simple history—facts as they were lived out day by day—and recorded them in such a way as to weave together a totally accurate pattern of the development of spiritual life. In other words, what took place physically in the Old Testament is a picture for believers today of what takes place spiritually in their own growth in grace.

It is not imagination to view the Old Testament in this manner; ample proof is found in the New Testament itself to indicate that this is how God planned the structure of His book. Paul refers to many incidents in the history of Israel and concludes the account with these words: "These things happened to them as examples [literally, types] and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come" (1 Corinthians 10:11).

There is need, of course, to be on guard against wild and fanciful interpretations. We must move with care so as not to overstep the laws of interpretation. But it would be a pity to miss the Old Testament illustrations of the great truths of the Christian faith reflected in the book of Romans and elsewhere. Perhaps the clearest and most helpful of all these Old Testament portraits is the record of Abraham's life, beginning in distant Ur of the Chaldees and ending at last in the cave of Machpelah near Hebron in Canaan. Abraham is clearly the pattern for the man of faith. Again and again in the New Testament, he is held up in our view as the example of how God works in the life of a man to fulfill His promises of grace. He is obviously chief of all the heroes of faith recorded in Hebrews 11, and in addition to the Christian faith, two of the great religions of the earth hold him in high esteem.

Therefore, we may well begin the study of this man's life with a sense of excitement. We will find ourselves reflected in Abraham. In tracing his life's story, we shall discover the very secrets by which the Spirit of God intends to transform us from faltering pilgrims to men and women of stalwart faith, worthy to stand beside the heroes of Hebrews 11.

This introduction was inspired by one of Ray's sermons. Please read "Genesis: The Beginning of Faith" (or listen to the audio file  Listen to Ray) for more on this portion of scripture.

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Daily Devotions for the Month of June
 
1st The Command (Genesis 11:31-12:3) — Abraham's story is clearly a pattern for our walk of faith. What are the three aspects of his encounter with God that are parallel to God's call upon our lives?
 
2nd The Lay Of The Land (Genesis 12:4-9) — We see God disallowing any possibility for boredom in the biblical record of the life of Abraham. Have we settled for the status quo, or are we boldly adventuring with God?
 
3rd Escape To Egypt (Genesis 12:10-20) — As we walk through life we always come to tough or difficult situations. Do we try to physically retreat or mentally escape, or do we trust our Lord to carry us thru them?
 
4th The High Cost Of Letting Down (Genesis 13:1-4) — In times of testing and trial it can be difficult to hang onto God. Have we discovered that calling on Him is far better than paying the high cost of other kinds of relief?
 
5th Letting God Choose (Genesis 13:5-18) — Daily there are many choices to make. Are our choices leading us more & more into the full knowledge of the love of Christ? How does this equate with our contentment?
 
6th When You Need A Friend (Genesis 14:1-16) — Are we able to aid our brothers or sisters in Christ with helpful counsel from the Word of God? Have we engaged in faithful prayer for those in sinful circumstances?
 
7th The Peril Of Victory (Genesis 14:17-24) — Eternal & temporal values are radically different, but we need continual discernment to avoid compromise. What is the only safeguard against this temptation?
 
8th Faith Conquering Fear (Genesis 15:1-6) — Are we placing our faith in our faith? Do we recognize our faith as the eye through which we view the character and adequacy of God Himself?
 
9th The Furnace And The Lamp (Genesis 15:7-21) — What are two necessary factors in our Christian experience that are designed to keep us both real and radiant? Are we learning to appreciate both?
 
10th It All Depends On Me (Genesis 16:1-6) — Do we live and work in restful trust in the God who is totally adequate? Are we instead anxiously bending every effort to help Him accomplish what only He can do?
 
11th The God Who Sees (Genesis 16:7-16) — Have we caught a vision of God as the One who sees us, knows us, and intimately cares for us? Are we running to Him or away from Him?
 
12th God Almighty (Genesis 17:1-8) — Self-serving is really denying that our Lord is all-sufficient. Are we learning to trust His liberating control of all areas of our lives?
 
13th The Circumcised Life (Genesis 17:9-27) — As Christ's ones we are meant to authentically bear the sign of His lordship in our total personality. Are we thinking and responding as though Jesus is alive in us?
 
14th God's Tests (Genesis 18:1-8) — Our Father knows that for His children to have sturdy and steadfast faith it must be tested. Are we aiming for His goals? How are we responding to needed tests?
 
15th Laughing At The Impossible (Genesis 18:9-15) — When God asks something of us that seems impossible, do we lean harder on our own resources, or do we venture in faith based on His total adequacy?
 
16th How Prayer Works (Genesis 18:16-33) — Do we think of our prayers as opportunity to summon God to our agenda? Are we learning that true prayer is our response to God's summons to partner with Him?
 
17th The Wasted Years (Genesis 19:1-11) — In pursuit of worldly success we can seriously damage the inner life of the soul. Do we need to re-assess our goals and invest our lives in eternal values?
 
18th The High Cost Of Compromise (Genesis 19:12-38) — We need always to remember we do not live in isolation. Do we weigh our choices, mindful that the direction we take has serious fall-out consequences on others?
 
19th Old Natures Never Die (Genesis 20) — Our old natures never die and we can be confused by its deceptiveness. Are we choosing to die to all of that and live out our new identity in the Lord Jesus Christ?
 
20th A Supernatural Birth (Genesis 21:1-7) — Are we trying our best to imitate the nourishing and life-giving fruit that can be produced only by God's Spirit? Do we see the difference between trying and trusting?
 
21st Ishmael Must Go! (Genesis 21:8-13) — Old habits and thought patterns can become comfortable. Do we respond obediently when God asks us to put them away so our inner healing can bring lasting joy?
 
22nd When Wandering Stops (Genesis 21:14-21) — Do we think of prayer as merely an emergency hot line? Are we missing the amazing privilege of partnering with God through habitual, confident, dependent prayer?
 
23rd This Thirsty World (Genesis 21:22-34) — Is it enough to accept ideology and doctrine simply because it sounds spiritual? Are we staying alert to the many & varied deceptions taught by wolves clothed as sheep?
 
24th Life's Hardest Trial (Genesis 22:1-14) — Our world is filled with corruption and suffering that seems to certify the triumph of the evil one. Do we view it all through the lens of God's character and Sovereign power?
 
25th What God Gives Back (Genesis 22:15-19) — Have you ever received a gift from God that He is asking you to release back to Him? Are you willing for God to be in control of timing as you use His gifts?
 
26th Till Death Do Us Part (Genesis 23:1-6) — Are we living in shadows created by turning our backs on the Truth and Life that are ours in Christ Jesus? To whom do we go when life tumbles in?
 
27th Faith's Independence (Genesis 23:7-20) — Are we held hostage to the things that relate simply to this time warp? Do we live each day as creatures of the values and hope of eternity?
 
28th Here Comes The Bride (Genesis 24:1-9) — Do we recognize and live by our mandate as disciples of the Lord Jesus? Are we responsive to the prompting of the Holy Spirit?
 
29th Great Expectations (Genesis 24:10-67) — Are we expectant of God to minister through us to accomplish His purposes? Are we reckoning on our own ingenuity or resourcefulness to reach others with the Gospel?
 
30th Gathered To His People (Genesis 25:1-8) — To live well is to end well. Are we daily making choices consistent with the Grand Adventure to which we are called when we are Christ's disciples?
 

© 2007 by Elaine Stedman -- From the book The Power of His Presence: a year of devotions from the writings of Ray Stedman; compiled by Mark Mitchell. Devotion pages, excerpts, or quotes may be used as long as the copyright notice includes the book title and author along with a reference or a hyperlink to the Official Ray C. Stedman Library web site at www.RayStedman.org.