Genesis 22:17-18 – “…I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.”
Have you ever felt like a time of trial in your life was never going to end? And once it did, did you see that your test of faith in the hard times ultimately produced blessing from God on the other side?
Oftentimes throughout Scripture, and in our own lives, a blessing comes after a test, or a trial and we see this in the life of Abraham in Genesis 21-22. This is important to remember as we go through life as, oftentimes, it seems like a trial will never end, but it may ultimately be the valley that comes before the mountaintop.
My family and I went through one of the hardest seasons of our lives several years ago and we ultimately uprooted our entire lives and moved to Arizona where we knew practically no one in an act of faith towards God.
Fast forward several years later, by following God’s call and continuing faith in God through the trials, I can happily report our family is now in the best season we’ve ever been in. I have two kids married, two in college, and one remaining at home before my best friend Grace and I are empty nesters. All five kids (and two spouses) serve with Grace and I at the church we planted as a family ministry, Trinity Church in Scottsdale, AZ, love doing life together, and love Jesus.
If we would’ve looked ahead in the midst of our trials, I don’t think we could’ve imagined the incredible blessing God would have awaiting us. Like Abraham in Genesis 22, we trusted and believed that God knew what was best for us whether blessing followed the test or not.
Abraham was faced with the greatest test of his life – the call to sacrifice his promised son, his only remaining son after he had sent his older son, Ishmael, into the wilderness. But he was faithful to God’s call and passed this test of faith.
Because of that, we read God’s final recorded words to Abraham in Genesis 22:15-18, and God promises to bless him and all future generations of his family, through which would come Jesus Christ.
When you go through trials in this life, I would encourage you to choose faith. Stay close to God, especially in these times, and press into the relationship and hope He has for you. Whether or not there’s blessing on the other side of your trial, like there was for Abraham as well as for our family, God’s plan is ultimately the best plan and faith in Him will keep you on the best track for your life.
Have you seen times in your life that God has blessed you after you went through a trial? Thank Him for His goodness and faithfulness to us, even in the midst of our trials.
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