So the field of Ephron in Machpelah, which was to the east of Mamre, the field with the cave that was in it and all the trees that were in the field, throughout its whole area, was made over to Abraham as a possession in the presence of the Hittites, before all who went in at the gate of his city. After this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah east of Mamre (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan.
Genesis 22:17-19
Lord Jesus, as I read these verses realizing the heaviness of the loss that Abraham was feeling with the death of his soulmate Sarah, I was struck by the fact that it was by her death that Abraham acquired his first possession in the land. It was through her death that You made a way for him to begin to lay hold of the promises You made to him. And, it was not the complete fulfillment of that promise. It was only a small portion, a foretaste.
Thank You for the reminder first that blessings come in the midst of hardships. Indeed, You take me through something to take me to something. As I wrestle with the challenges and potential sense of loss today, continue to remind me that it has a divine purpose beyond what I can even see in the moment, that You are connecting the dots, and I will understand it in the end.
But also thank You for the reminder that this world and all of the blessings that I am experiencing and living out in You is but an appetizer to the main course of the feast that I will enjoy forever in Your presence. All the love I am experiencing and the joy that is mine as I live out my relationship with You is a preview to the main event – my ultimate consummation upon Your return. In that day, everyone will know that this light momentary affliction did indeed prepare for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison (2 Corinthians 4:17), because we will know even as we are known (1 Corinthians 13:12)! I can’t praise You enough for that!
And finally, thank You most of all for the reminder that it was through Your death, Jesus, that all of this was secured for me! The only reason why I am able to taste of the blessings prepared by the Father for those who love You is because You first loved us (1 John 4:19). And in that love You died and secured for us all the promises of God (2 Corinthians 1:20). Hallelujah! Glory to Your Name! For this, I am eternally grateful, and commit today, and everyday, to walk in a manner that demonstrates that gratitude and love towards You. Thank You Jesus! Amen!