A faithful heart
From you let my vindication come;
Let your eyes see the right. Psalm 17:2
Read Genesis 13:7—13
This man Abraham is my companion tonight. The revered man of God. Reverend Abraham! All that he had was the promise of God. The land before him: he was led to it by God. This was the land of promise for the promised family that was still to come. Yet he could hold to it so lightly. He could offer the pick of it to his selfish nephew. This man who received everything as the gift and the promise of God could hold onto nothing as his own, and could share it with large-hearted generosity. I am this man’s offspring by faith. I am like his son, Isaac, a child of the promise of faith. So here is a way of life for me to step into, to explore like a promised land.
God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, my Father, you gave so freely to Abraham, so generously did you provide for him, and he so trusted you that he grew in largess of heart. Your promise was bigger than any plot of ground. Surely here is the way for me to live. Surely you would have me inherit this way and reflect a family likeness. Every day the call may come for me to open my heart to another. When I am tempted to retreat from the call, I ask for deeper faith in you, for Abraham’s confidence in your lovingkindness.