ODJ: bound by love

August 10, 2015 

READ: Genesis 15:1-20 

The LORD made a covenant with Abram that day and said, “I have given this land to your descendants, all the way from the border of Egypt to the great Euphrates River” (v.18).

As I greeted my friend, I asked, “How are you?” She immediately began to wipe away tears. Burdened with loneliness, she had watched as countless younger friends had married over the years—but she had not. As two more were set to wed soon, she wondered why she remained alone. Her heart’s desire remains, but as each year slips by, her fears of growing old alone intensify.

I know—as she does—that God is faithful, more than sufficient and always present. But simply to recount God’s promises to her didn’t seem appropriate. I would go home that night to a husband and children. I began to imagine life from her vantage point. Although singleness is—like marriage—a gift from God, my friend wanted to marry. So I simply assured her of my love and God’s love—something she truly needed to hear during our unexpected encounter in the hallway.

Genesis 15 records a similar ache in the heart of one who knew the frailty of his humanity. Carrying a God-given desire to have a child, Abraham had heard God’s promise of provision (Genesis 12:2, 13:14-16), but as days moved into weeks and then years, he asked, “O Sovereign LORD, how can I be sure that I will actually possess it?” (15:8).

Instead of answering Abraham with a timeline of events, God responded with a sacred oath (Hebrews 6:13-17). Creating a covenant that no man could undo, He promised to fulfil what had been promised to Abraham.

Each one of us will leave this earth with unmet longings (Acts 7:5; Heb. 11:8-10); it’s the reality we face in an imperfect world. This truth, however, remains: God keeps His promises and answers our greatest longings with Himself (Psalm 34:4-5; Ephesians 2:12-13).

—Regina Franklin

365-day-plan: John 10:1-18

MORE
Read Romans 8:38-39 and consider the extent of God’s ever-present love for us. 
NEXT
How should we respond to believers in Jesus who desire good things but still await their fulfilment? How can God use your unmet longings to reveal the sufficiency of Jesus to unbelievers?