My awesome, Grandchildren, and Annika, Kaleigh, Kate, Gavin; whom I love and pray for every day: Jesus said, “…blessed are those who HEAR the word of God and 1KEEP IT!” (Luke 11:28) 1phulassō: hold fast to the word and promises of God. Abraham was about to obey God and offer up his son, this conversation took place, “Dad?” “Yes, Isaac?” “Well, we’ve got wood here. And we’ve got some fire. But, where’s the lamb for the burnt offering?” And what do you suppose Isaac was thinking as Dad tied him up and laid him upon the altar and raised the knife? Do you think Isaac at that moment remembered Abraham’s words, “My son, God will provide for Himself THE LAMB for a burnt offering.” (Gen. 25-28) Abraham kept God’s Word. And “keeping God’s Word” doesn’t mean what we probably think it means. When we hear that Abraham kept God’s word we usually think it means he “OBEYED” God’s Word. True, he did; he was ready to sacrifice his son at God’s command. But why could Abraham do that? What was there that could let him go through with such an awful request? Simply this: Abraham was KEEPING THE WORD OF GOD. HOLDING ON TO IT, TRUSTING IT, BELIEVING IT. But trusting what?
Keeping God’s Word is about far more than mechanically doing what it says. Keeping God’s Word means having a LIVELY FAITH AND TRUST AND CONFIDENCE IN GOD’S PROMISES. The Book of Hebrews tells us “By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, even though God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that your offspring shall be called.” Abraham reasoned that God COULD EVEN RAISE ISAAC FROM THE DEAD, and so in a manner of speaking he did receive Isaac back from death.” (Heb. 11:17-19) In other words, Abraham kept God’s Word not simply by obeying its outward command, but by HOLDING FAST TO THE WORD AND PROMISES OF GOD. “EVERY WORD OF GOD has proven TO BE TRUE.” (Prov. 30:5) “God has BREATHED LIFE INTO ALL SCRIPTURE. It is useful for TEACHING us what is true. It is useful for CORRECTING our mistakes. It is useful for MAKING OUR LIVES WHOLE again. It is useful for TRAINING us to do what is right. By using Scripture, a man of God can be COMPLETELY PREPARED to do every good thing.” (2 Tim. 3:16-17)
Notice: […We must understand that the bible says:] “EVERY WORD OF GOD has proven TO BE TRUE.” !!!] That’s for you: Stephanie, Ethan, Camden, Olivia, Aidan, Landon, Kinsley, Annika, Kaleigh, Kate, Gavin…